Drama drives French TV exports up

Nearly 200 shows created in France launched abroad in 2016 as the Gallic territory’s international reputation grows, a new study has revealed.

A Eurodata TV Worldwide study launched at Le Rendez-Vous this week revealed 186 French-created shows had launched in other territories, 26% up on the 2015 figure.

Most of these were factual programmes, followed by fiction (drama and comedy) and entertainment.

Drama was singled out as a being a key driver in the growth, with Eurodata noting that shows such as Canal+’s Ouro (pictured) that appear to feature influences from Scandinavian noir was linked to the uptick.

Overall, France is now third in global export rankings charts (excluding one-offs) behind the US and the UK, the data revealed. While English language shows are by far the biggest sellers (1,600 from the US and 1,100 from the UK), France has risen up one place on the 2015 position.

Germany and Canada are fourth and fifth, with 170 and 110 programmes launched abroad.

“One factor behind this success is the selection of subject material that is completely in line with the expectations of a global audience,” said Frédéric Vaulpré, Eurodata TV Worldwide director.

Eurodata conducted the research of behalf of French content body the CNC and TV France International, and was presented at Le Rendez-Vous earlier this week.

“This study underlines the growing attraction for French programmes, as well as the quality of audio-visual content production in France that has an appeal outside of our borders,” said Mathieu Béjot, managing director of TV France International.