New data reveals a slump in French TV exports and a decline in UK broadcaster spending, while film festivals see record-breaking ovations and box office success.
Key facts
- •French TV international sales for 2025 fell to €164.2M, a 21.6% year-on-year decrease.
- •UK production sector revenues reached £3.8B, though domestic broadcaster spend fell below £2B.
- •The documentary NAZA received a 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
- •The UK Cinema Association reported more than 17 million admissions in the UK last month.
- •Spain's Mediapro is set to relaunch as Imagina on January 1, 2027.
The European television sector is experiencing a period of financial instability, with French TV exports hitting a ten-year low and UK broadcaster spending falling to pre-pandemic levels. The French cultural body CNC is organizing a symposium to address the downturn, while UK production company Pact warned that declining network investment is placing significant pressure on independent producers.
By the numbers
European Television Market Struggles
In France, international sales for 2025 dropped 21.6% year-on-year to €164.2M, while co-production investment fell 18.7% to €87.7M. The decline is attributed to falling advertising revenues and a lack of streamer investment in the region. In the UK, while total production sector revenues reached £3.8B, the figure was bolstered by international revenue and non-TV assets rather than domestic broadcaster spending. Pact CEO Nigel Warner noted that network spend has declined for three consecutive years, contributing to concerns regarding the future of the BBC and significant job cuts at Channel 4.
Venice Film Festival Highlights
The Venice Film Festival saw notable audience reactions, including a record-breaking 25-minute ovation for the documentary NAZA, which covers the Israeli military's actions in Gaza. Florian Zeller’s film Bunker received a 16-minute ovation, and Alex Gibney’s documentary about Elon Musk also drew significant attention. Artistic director Alberto Barbera highlighted Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine as a potential awards contender.
Cinema and Industry Developments
Despite television struggles, the International Union of Cinemas reported positive box office results across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands posted strong summer statistics, with the UK Cinema Association reporting over 17 million admissions last month. Additionally, author Mercedes Ron has expanded her partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, with ten of her novels currently in development as feature films.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Deadline.
