The latest research by the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) shows that the amount of series and films produced in Europe is falling. The research analyzes the amount of produced feature series and films made for TV and SVoD (Subscription Video on Demand) industry in Europe in 2023, countries of origin, the work of international co-productions and main productions and commissions in the industry.

TV content production in Europe reached a tipping point in 2023 when the number of titles fell by 6% across all platforms, according to new data presented in a study titled “Audiovisual Fiction Production in Europe – Figures for 2023”. In addition, high-end programs (with 13 episodes or less per season) ended their boom, as the number of titles remained the same (down 2% from a year earlier).

In total, 10% of all TV feature titles produced in Europe were co-productions. Public broadcasters ordered more than half of the game titles produced in Europe, 55%. Private broadcasters ordered 31%, and global streamers 14%, which is a lower percentage compared to the previous period. However, some of the essential elements of TV fiction production in Europe have not changed despite the decline. Most of the hours produced were from telenovelas and soap operas. In addition, series with 13 episodes or less per season accounted for more than half of all titles produced.

Only 3% of the more than 2,000 production houses that produced at least one title between 2015 and 2023 did so in each of the last nine years. This is a result of the high rerun rate of TV series. On average, between 2015 and 2023, first seasons of TV series accounted for more than half of all seasons produced annually.

Independent producers produced more than 70% of the titles (including all formats and shows with 13 episodes or less per season). Other independent production by broadcasters working for third-party broadcasters accounted for 9% and 11% of titles.

The top producers of feature TV titles were ARD, Banijay Group, ZDF and Mediawan Leonine Alliance. Banijay Group, RTL and IfTV had the most geographically diverse selection of production countries. When it comes to clients, the BBC, Netflix and Amazon dominated.

Source: European Audiovisual Observatory: Top 20 commissioners of series with 13 episodes or less per season titles (2023). These figures are indicative as each title is attributed to only one broadcaster, even in the case of co-productions involving several broadcasters.

The complete survey of the EAO, which operates as part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg., can be downloaded here. The official EAO press release on this topic is available here.