The UK television production industry recorded modest growth in 2024, with total revenues increasing by 1.4% year-on-year to £3.66 billion (€4.23 billion), according to the newly published 2025 Pact Census from Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates. This marginal uplift came despite a challenging global commissioning environment, as producers leaned more heavily on digital revenue streams and secondary rights exploitation to maintain stability.
Domestic TV revenues increased by £63 million to £2.09 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year the sector remained above the £2 billion threshold. However, UK primary commissions declined slightly by 2.8% to £1.74 billion, as broadcasters adjusted budgets in response to persistent cost inflation. Notably, UK rights income surged by £141 million to £303 million in 2024, as buyers increasingly filled slates with finished content, offering an economical alternative to full productions.
Internationally, revenues dipped by £57 million to £1.35 billion. This decline was largely driven by a 36.7% drop in linear commissions to £279 million, as traditional broadcasters continued to pivot towards their digital platforms. However, the overall level of international revenue remained above pre-pandemic figures. Total international primary commissions held steady at £1.13 billion, with 76.3% of that spend captured by mid- to large-scale production companies reporting annual revenues above £25 million. Roughly 120 producers—representing 32% of the market—secured at least one primary international commission.
One of the most significant bright spots for the industry came from secondary rights. These revenues jumped 17.2% to £510 million, the highest level on record. This increase stemmed from expanded UK secondary TV sales, distribution advances, and strong demand in digital home entertainment. The trend reflects producers’ increased emphasis on monetising existing IP, particularly as new commissions slowed.
The industry also saw continued expansion beyond traditional TV. Non-TV revenues, including live events, branded content, and podcasts, grew 24% year-on-year to £224 million. While this segment still comprises a relatively small share of overall revenue, the consistent growth underlines the adaptability of UK producers in diversifying their business models.
Digital commissioning emerged as a key growth engine. Domestic digital commissioning revenue rose by 60% to £154 million, matching the record set in 2022 and accounting for 8.9% of all domestic commissioning revenue—the highest proportion ever recorded. On the international front, SVOD spending climbed 24.2% to £850 million, representing more than three-quarters (75.3%) of total international primary TV revenues. This increase highlights the continued demand for UK content among global streamers and the shift away from traditional linear spending.
Despite the overall dip in domestic commissioning, the drama genre saw record gains. UK drama commissions rose by 19.2%, reaching 42% of all primary domestic spend—the largest share on record. In contrast, factual and factual entertainment declined by 23.6%. While larger producers captured 75.5% of drama investment, their dominance has waned slightly from the previous year’s 91%. Meanwhile, smaller producers remained vital players in genres like children’s, lifestyle, and factual programming.
As the Pact Census reveals, the UK production landscape is undergoing transformation, with clear momentum building in digital formats and secondary monetisation strategies. While growth may have slowed overall, the sector is demonstrating its resilience and evolving in response to changing commissioning strategies and global demand dynamics.