Television industry sees significant shifts in Europe

At the Series Mania conference in Lille, France, Ampere Analysis experts Guy Bisson and Cyrine Amor discussed the changing landscape of television production. They highlighted a shift from the "Peak TV" era, where the quantity of shows peaked, to a period of adjustment and cost-cutting. Bisson noted that the market is now at "75% Peak TV." He pointed out a 25% drop in the number of first-run scripted series. High-budget sci-fi and fantasy shows are facing cancellations. Children's programming is also seeing a decline, with many platforms choosing to license content instead of producing original shows. Despite these challenges, Bisson mentioned signs of stability in the industry, suggesting it is settling into a new balance after years of rapid expansion. He identified crime dramas as the most popular genre in Europe, followed by a resurgence of comedy. Streaming services are beginning to act more like traditional broadcasters, focusing on established formats rather than experimental ones. Public broadcasters play a key role in maintaining stability, contributing to over half of all commissioning in Europe. Meanwhile, streaming services are gradually recovering from a significant downturn they faced in 2023. The presentation also addressed a shift in production locations. Bisson highlighted that major streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon are producing more content outside the U.S. Regions like Asia are leaning towards sci-fi, while Europe focuses on crime programming. This shift may change where and how much is invested in content. As budgets tighten, European broadcasters are increasingly adapting successful stories instead of creating new ones. In contrast, U.S. broadcasters prefer original content. Additionally, partnerships in production are becoming more common, favoring larger companies over smaller, independent studios. Bisson observed emerging themes in new shows, including a rise in stories about war and mental health. He noted that societal issues are influencing content. Diversity in representation is still changing, with some themes losing popularity outside of Asia-Pacific regions. In conclusion, Bisson reflected on the industry's transformation. He emphasized the need for recalibration, stating that while the era of Peak TV is over, the television industry is not in crisis. Instead, it is evolving with crime and comedy taking the lead and new trends shaping future content.