LONDON (16 October, 2017) – A new white paper by business information provider IHS Markit (NASDAQ: INFO) revealed that scripted TV production in the US — excluding online content — declined in 2016, largely due to lower origination by the cable networks. Meanwhile, output by the US broadcast networks remained mostly unchanged.

The white paper, Boom or Bubble? The Rise of Scripted Programming , discusses original scripted drama and comedy production in the US and five other major territories: France, Germany, the UK, Australia and Canada.

“The stock of scripted programming is high, with a flood of new investment from online platforms, telcos and others supporting an enduring boom in production,” said Tim Westcott, research director, channels and programming at IHS Markit.

“Original drama and comedy series serve a variety of needs, aggregating audiences for free-to-air channels, reinforcing the subscriber proposition of pay channels, and driving the adoption of new subscription video-on-demand services.

“The fall-off in production of originals we've observed in US cable and Germany shows that in some markets, the supply of drama is starting to outstrip demand. It also shows that TV schedulers have other genres of appealing programming that they can call on, such as scripted reality, entertainment formats or comedy gameshows. These are often both cheaper and less risky than drama in particular.”

Scripted Programming White Paper Highlights

• US broadcast and cable networks aired 2,323 hours of original drama and comedy in 2016, down from 2,511 hours in 2014
• Seven out of nine US cable groups reduced original scripted output between 2014 and 2016; HBO and AMC Networks were the only two to increase output
• In contrast, online platforms — led by Netflix and Amazon — almost tripled their output of original scripted programming, with 515 new first-run hours in 2016
• Canada registered the highest percentage growth in scripted transmissions to 488 hours in 2016, while Germany was the largest volume producer outside the US, with 1,388 hours of scripted programming in 2016
• The UK increased output, with 1,233 hours in 2016, but there was a decline in Germany, while volumes in France and Australia were almost unchanged.

The 39-page paper includes interviews with key industry players including Dynamic Television, the US distributor of Icelandic drama hit Trapped; Telefonica, one of the European telcos upping its investment in original drama; Brazil’s Globo group and Turkey’s Inter Medya. Download the complimentary white paper here .

IHS Markit Analysts Are Attending MIPCOM

IHS Markit Media analysts will be attending the MIPCOM event in Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France, on 16–19 October 2017.

Journalists wishing to arrange interviews with IHS Markit experts during MIPCOM can contact Annette Hamilton , director of strategic communications for IHS Markit, or press .

About IHS Markit ( www.ihsmarkit.com )

IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and expertise for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 85 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world's leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth.

IHS Markit is a registered trademark of IHS Markit Ltd. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners © 2017 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved.

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