PARIS: International sales for French TV programs increased by 6.8 percent in 2015 to reach €164.2 million ($185 million), setting a new record.
The 2015 figures, charted by the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC) and TV France International, mark the highest total ever recorded and a 42.8-percent growth over ten years.
In terms of which countries are buying French programming, the report shows that in 2015 several regions increased their acquisition. Sales to Western Europe increased by 3.3 percent, helping to solidify the region’s status as the leading market for French productions. These acquisitions were driven by growth in the French-speaking markets of Belgium and Switzerland and an upsurge in activity in Spain (up 70.7 percent) and to a lesser extent the U.K. (up 19.3 percent). Sales to Africa gained 13.7 percent to reach a new record. Exports to the Middle East were up 6.5 percent to their second-highest level ever.
Also of note, sales to VOD platforms rose more than 10 percent. The proportion of “world rights” sales was key as well. These were treated separately for the first time in 2015, and amounted to €14 million ($15.6 million), accounting for 8.6 percent of all sales.
The growth in international sales of French programming was driven by animation—up 12.4 percent to €50.6 million ($56.5 million). Fiction was up 6 percent to €41.2 million ($46 million), while documentary gained 6.3 percent to €37.1 million ($41.7 million). Sales of formats (fiction, game shows, light entertainment) were stable, with a 0.1 percent rise to €22.9 million ($25.6 million).
