Nordic public service broadcasters (PSBs) are bucking the global trend of declining scripted television production, according to Ampere Analysis’ report "Q1 2025: Nordic Public Service Broadcasters Record Highest Scripted Commissioning Volume." The study reveals that Nordic PSBs commissioned 67 new scripted titles in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 24% year-on-year increase and the highest quarterly total on record. This stands in sharp contrast to the 15% year-on-year decline in global scripted commissions during the same period, with markets like the US and UK particularly affected.
The report highlights that the Nordic region’s surge is driven largely by Denmark’s DR, Sweden’s SVT, Norway’s NRK, and Finland’s Yle, which collectively commissioned almost 50% more scripted hours in Q1 2025 than the next most active region, North America. Drama remains the dominant genre, accounting for nearly 80% of all Nordic commissions, with family- and youth-oriented series and local-language crime dramas leading the slate. Ampere’s analysis notes that this growth comes despite increased budget scrutiny across global markets, underscoring the resilience of publicly funded broadcasters in prioritizing domestic cultural storytelling.
“While the global market faces uncertainty and consolidation, Nordic PSBs are demonstrating their vital role in sustaining high-quality, locally resonant content,” the report states. “Their robust commissioning strategies not only support regional creative industries but also attract growing international interest in Nordic noir and drama formats.”
In contrast, the US market posted a significant decline in Q1 scripted commissions, down 20% year-on-year, while the UK fell 12%. Meanwhile, international streamers reduced their scripted orders by 17% in the same quarter. This divergence suggests that public broadcasters’ stable funding models and strong cultural mandates provide a counter-cyclical force in an otherwise softening market.
Ampere concludes that the Nordic model illustrates the importance of continued public investment in local content to weather industry volatility and maintain global competitiveness, calling the record-setting Q1 performance a testament to the strength and agility of the region’s PSBs in an evolving media landscape.
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