The UK’s once-thriving TV production ecosystem is facing a crisis point, according to a new report called "Changing UK Content Investment: What Could This Mean for the Health of the Production Sector?" from Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates for Pact, the UK's independent production trade body. The report warns that continued shifts in commissioning strategies—particularly among Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs)—could damage the industry’s structural diversity, reduce regional capacity, and stall progress on off-screen inclusion.
“Over the past two decades, the UK has built a global reputation for bold, creative television production,” the report states. “But the latest data shows that without decisive action, we risk undermining the very foundations that have made the sector successful.”
The production sector generated £3.6 billion in 2023, but this topline number hides deeper concerns. Content investment by PSBs—still the backbone of original UK programming—declined last year. At the same time, their commissioning strategy shifted further toward premium dramas and big-budget factual pieces. While these are vital for international visibility, they leave out many smaller producers, especially those outside London or led by underrepresented groups.
According to the report, the number of “new” production companies commissioned by PSBs fell from 35% in 2016 to just 17% in 2023. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—which form the backbone of creative renewal in the UK—are being squeezed out, particularly in off-peak factual and entertainment programming. These genres have traditionally been a springboard for new talent, returning series, and employment stability across the Nations and Regions.
The impact isn’t just financial. The report also shows that off-screen diversity is beginning to stall. Lower-budget, high-volume productions have historically provided the stepping stones for disabled, working-class, and racially diverse crew members to enter and move up in the industry. As these strands decline, so do opportunities for inclusion.
While SVOD services like Netflix and Prime Video continue to invest in UK content, their focus is narrow: mostly high-end drama and some premium factual. In 2023, there were just 30 UK SVOD commissions compared to nearly 1,400 from PSBs. That investment tends to go to experienced producers with deep pockets—not the agile, diverse independents that fuel the UK’s creative edge.
Looking ahead, the report’s illustrative forecast suggests that if current trends continue, by 2030 PSB content spending will tilt even further toward peak-time drama at the expense of factual, entertainment, and children’s genres. The consequences could be a hollowed-out middle in the production sector, loss of regional capacity, and a shrinking pipeline of diverse creative talent.
Pact is calling on policymakers and broadcasters to take stock during three key upcoming moments: the Ofcom PSB Review, the Future of TV Distribution consultation, and the next BBC Charter Review. The report argues that now is the time to reconsider what kind of production sector the UK wants for the next generation—and to act before creative renewal grinds to a halt.
“Without a healthy mix of genres, budgets, and voices, British television risks becoming less relevant, less innovative, and less inclusive,” the report concludes. “We must ask: are we content with where we’re heading?”
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