Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £14.2bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Market concentration falls as independents thrive
- Independent studios have seen some success over the past few years, taking market share from in-house production at major media organisations like the BBC and ITV. Independent studios received a significant boost in 2017 after a policy change by the BBC. Ofcom scrapped the 50% in-house production guarantee that had been in place, which has allowed more independent studios to bid for BBC productions and airtime.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The government is pushing for more UK investment
- The British Government has made the creative sector, including TV programme production, one of its principal focuses as part of its industrial strategy. The Creative Industries Sector Plan, launched in June 2025, aims to make the UK the number one market for investment in creativity and innovation. The plan aims to double business investment in UK creative industries by 2035, including 2,000 new film and TV apprenticeships. The first stage of the plan includes a new £380 million investment package launched in June 2025, which includes £150 million earmarked for projects outside of London.
Biggest companies in the Television Programme Production in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
British Broadcasting Corporation | 1,442.8 | |
ITV plc | 858.0 | |
DLG Acquisitions Ltd | 710.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including News and factual, Entertainment and comedy and Drama and soaps. News and factual is the largest segment of the Television Programme Production in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Entertainment and comedy shows are popular and cheap to make
- Entertainment and comedy programmes include talk shows, game shows, reality TV, panel shows and sitcoms, among other formats.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies operating in the industry in the UK produce theatrical and non-theatrical TV programmes (such as TV series and documentaries). Broadcast of these programmes is not included in the industry, nor are post-production activities, which include editing, titling and the addition of computer-generated graphics.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom include News and current affairs, Entertainment and comedy, Drama and soaps and Sports.Companies
Companies covered in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom include British Broadcasting Corporation, ITV plc and DLG Acquisitions Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom include public service broadcaster, product placement and reality tv.Industry Code
SIC 59.11/3 - Television Programme Production in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Competition from alternative media is damaging budgets. TV programmes now have to compete with free media online through platforms like YouTube, which has curbed profitabilit...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Entertainment and comedy programmes are widely produced and cheap to make. Many game and talk shows release new episodes every day.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London is home to all major UK broadcasters. This gives massive incentives for production to keep a large presence in the capital. The city also has a wealth of talent, with ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
There is a high level of internal competition in the industry. TV production companies compete for talent, scripts, equipment and access to studio facilities, as securing hig...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The BBC has benefited from the commercialisation of BBC Studios. The studio has been able to take advantage of the BBC's reputation to gain lucrative co-production deals with...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of British Broadcasting Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of ITV plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of DLG Acquisitions Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for British Broadcasting Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for ITV plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for DLG Acquisitions Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
A greater need for original content benefits production studios. A dip in demand from television programming and broadcasting threatens TV programme production.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit differs between major studios and independent studios. Broadcasters can commission their own in-house shows, whereas independent studios have to compete for commission...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom is £14.2bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 7,726 businesses in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom are British Broadcasting Corporation, ITV plc and DLG Acquisitions Ltd
What does the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom include?
News and current affairs and Entertainment and comedy are part of the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom is British Broadcasting Corporation.
How competitive is the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Television Programme Production industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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