Scripted TV commissions in North America inched up by 3 percent in 2025, Ampere Analysis reveals, a second consecutive year of growth, while international was down 9%.
First-run scripted commissions recorded a 7% gain, continuing signs of a recovery for the sector, with 2025 volume now at 76% of the peak 2021 levels. Last year marks the highest annual output since the start of the market’s pullback in 2022. The North American market was boosted by increased activity across SVOD, pay TV and commercial FTA, where commissions rose 22%. Known IP remains a key trend, with adaptations and franchises accounting for 44% of scripted commissions last year, up from 41%. This is particularly pronounced at commercial free to airs, with 57% of their scripted orders based on a pre-existing content brand, the highest share in five years.
International commissions have suffered from budget pressures on PSBs and a shift towards unscripted programming in Western Europe.
Cyrine Amor, research manager at Ampere Analysis, said: “Commercial players are fighting back after several challenging years. With continued pressure on content budgets, IP is becoming increasingly central to commissioners’ greenlighting process. Shaping content around pre-existing IP helps mitigate some of the risks associated with launching new Scripted productions. It also reflects a broader shift in how content is discovered as audiences move towards on-demand viewing. Basing scripted shows on established franchises or literary brands is now a key strategic priority, highlighting how critical IP ownership and content have become for producers.”
