A new report from the European Audiovisual Observatory reveals that European works form the backbone of adaptations in the continent’s TV and SVOD fiction markets, with 88% of all adapted series based on original European intellectual properties. This finding highlights the continued importance of local creativity in driving European content production, despite increasing global competition in the streaming space.
The report, which analyzed over 1,200 TV and SVOD fiction series adaptations available in Europe in 2022, shows that 73% were adapted from books, while 10% were based on other fiction formats such as films and TV series. Theatre, comics, and video games accounted for a smaller share, reflecting traditional preferences in source material across the European production landscape. A significant 42% of all adaptations came directly from novels, underscoring literature’s enduring role as a narrative foundation for screen storytelling.
The data shows that the most prolific markets for adaptations in Europe are the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, with 221, 173, and 166 adapted series respectively. The report also finds that local adaptations dominate national production. For instance, in France, 89% of the adapted fiction series were based on French works. In Italy and Germany, 84% and 83% respectively of adaptations originated from domestic sources, reinforcing a trend where cultural specificity and local language play critical roles in audience engagement and market success.
Regarding the platforms distributing these adapted series, traditional broadcasters remain key players. Over 67% of all adaptations were available on linear TV, compared to 33% exclusively available on SVOD platforms. However, streamers are increasingly investing in local adaptations, with global players like Netflix and regional platforms alike banking on the strength of European IP to expand their reach and resonate with local audiences. Netflix in particular has shown strong involvement in commissioning European adaptations, including French hits like “Lupin” and “Marseille.”
By genre, drama leads adaptation efforts, accounting for more than 60% of adapted fiction titles, followed by crime and thriller series. The prevalence of these genres aligns with broader audience demand trends and the adaptability of such formats across international markets. Moreover, adaptations have proven to travel well beyond their country of origin. In 2022, over 30% of European adaptations were distributed in at least five other territories, demonstrating the export value of high-quality local storytelling.
The report’s findings reinforce the view that European IP remains a vital engine for fiction production across the continent. Executive Director of the European Audiovisual Observatory, Susanne Nikoltchev, emphasized this point, stating, “The strength of local stories not only anchors cultural identity but also drives competitiveness in a globalized content environment.”
In a period marked by rising production costs and strategic recalibrations across both public and commercial broadcasters, the continued reliance on European literary and creative properties provides both economic and cultural value. Adaptations offer producers a degree of market predictability, thanks to pre-existing audiences and narrative familiarity, while allowing for innovative reinterpretations that align with modern viewer expectations.
As global streamers expand their European footprint and national broadcasters seek to preserve cultural relevance, adaptations based on European works are set to remain a central pillar of the continent’s audiovisual production ecosystem.
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