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Television Programme Production in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Harry Dee Harry Dee London, United Kingdom Last Updated: August 2024 SIC J59.113

Revenue

£14.6bn

2024-25

£14.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

52,938

Businesses

8,062

Wages

£X.Xbn

Television Programme Production in the UK industry analysis

The TV programme production industry's performance depends on demand from domestic TV broadcasters, advertising agencies and distributors. This is determined by the amount of time consumers spend watching TV shows. Foreign-funded TV shows have had an increasingly strong influence on the domestic market. At the same time, selling the rights of domestic shows to overseas broadcasters has become vital for domestic studios to remain profitable.  Over the five years through 2024-25, TV production revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 0.7% to £14.6 billion. Much of the growth has come through independent studios because of favourable government regulations encouraging funding for smaller production companies.

Trends and Insights

  • Competition from alternative media is damaging budgets. TV programmes now have to compete with free media online through platforms like YouTube, with has curbed profitability in the industry.
  • Entertainment and comedy programmes are widely produced. These are cheap to make, with many game and talk shows releasing new episodes every day.
  • London is home to all major UK broadcasters. This gives massive incentives for production to keep a large presence in the capital. There is also a wealth of talent in the city, with many aspiring actors and technical staff there.
  • There’s a high level of internal competition in the industry. TV production companies compete for talent, scripts, equipment, and access to studio facilities, as securing high-quality inputs increases the likelihood of rating success.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £14.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions pause productions

  • The COVID-19 outbreak stopped filming for much of 2020-21 and some of 2021-22, causing a significant contraction in revenue.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Television Programme Production in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
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Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Independant UK production studios are losing funding because of Brexit

  • European funding previously open to UK studios has been closed off because of Brexit, which will damage funding for independent studios.

Biggest companies in the Television Programme Production in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
British Broadcasting Corporation
1,307.1
ITV plc
1,022.0
Sky UK Ltd
584.1

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Television Programme Production in the UK
Products & Services
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Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including News and factual, Entertainment and comedy and Drama and soaps. News and factual is the largest segment of the Television Programme Production in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Entertainment and comedy shows are popular and cheap to make

  • Entertainment and comedy programmes include talk shows, game shows, reality TV, panel shows and sitcoms, among other formats.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies operating in the industry in the UK produce theatrical and non-theatrical TV programmes (such as TV series and documentaries). Broadcast of these programmes is not included in the industry, nor are post-production activities, which include editing, titling and the addition of computer-generated graphics.

What's included in this industry?

News and current affairsEntertainment and comedyDrama and soapsSports

Companies

British Broadcasting CorporationITV plcSky UK Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTERPRODUCT PLACEMENTREALITY TV

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 59.11/3 - Television Programme Production in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Competition from alternative media is damaging budgets. TV programmes now have to compete with free media online through platforms like YouTube, with has curbed profitability...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Entertainment and comedy programmes are widely produced. These are cheap to make, with many game and talk shows releasing new episodes every day.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

London is home to all major UK broadcasters. This gives massive incentives for production to keep a large presence in the capital. There is also a wealth of talent in the cit...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

There’s a high level of internal competition in the industry. TV production companies compete for talent, scripts, equipment, and access to studio facilities, as securing hig...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The BBC has benefitted from the commercialisation of BBC Studios. The studio has been able to take advantage of the BBC's reputation to gain lucrative co-production deals wit...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of British Broadcasting Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of ITV plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Sky UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for British Broadcasting Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for ITV plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Sky UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

A greater need for original content benefits production studios. A dip in demand from television programming and broadcasting threatens TV programme production.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit differs between major studios and independent studios. Broadcasters can commission their own in-house shows, whereas independent studios have to compete for commission...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £14.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 8,062 businesses in the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Television Programme Production in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Television Programme Production market in United Kingdom are British Broadcasting Corporation, ITV plc and Sky UK Ltd

What does the Television Programme Production in the UK in United Kingdom include?

News and current affairs and Entertainment and comedy are part of the Television Programme Production in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Television Programme Production in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is British Broadcasting Corporation.

How competitive is the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Television Programme Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Motion Picture Production in the UK
  • Film, Video & TV Programme Post-Production in the UK
  • Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK
  • Specialised Design Activities in the UK

International industries

  • Television Production in the US
  • Movie, TV & Video Production in Canada
  • Motion Picture and Video Production in Australia
  • Motion Picture and Video Production in New Zealand

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are Alfabank-Adres reports created?

Alfabank-Adres has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for Alfabank-Adres readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of Alfabank-Adres’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

Alfabank-Adres relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do Alfabank-Adres analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, Alfabank-Adres’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does Alfabank-Adres forecast its data?

Alfabank-Adres’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

Alfabank-Adres prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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