NATPE survey: SVOD to drive scripted boom

Major SVOD platforms will play the biggest role in expected growth in the number of scripted programming hitting the market, according to executives survey in a new NATPE poll.

Some 75% of NATPE members believe the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video and Hulu will be the biggest players on the scripted market in the next two years.

That belief was compounded by the expectation of more than half of members (54%) that believe the number of scripted shows will continue to grow in that period.

However, the same amount believe budgets will fall and only 47% expect the quality of productions to increase.

There has been much debate around the levels of scripted television hitting the market in the past year. Argument has grown since FX Networks president John Landgraf warned of a content bubble emerging, telling critics earlier this year: “There is simply too much television.”

While various executives have agreed with Landgraf’s stance, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings this week countered that argument, claiming there was “not nearly enough” product on the market.

independent media research firm Leflein Associates, Inc. conducted NATPE’s survey, which is the first in a series of studies into the future of the content business.

“This survey of our members’ opinions reveals that content creators and providers believe that the proliferation of scripted content is not slowing over the next two years,” said NATPE president and CEO Rod Perth (pictured).

“Future surveys will deal with content-related subjects like advertising and virtual reality, among other issues. These surveys are part of an expanded initiative to further enhance the services NATPE provides to our membership.”