After recent stagnation, UK-created formats roared back with an 18% increase in new overseas adaptations in 2024. The UK is the only top format-exporting country to post growth. British formats accounted for 33% of all new adaptations worldwide, reclaiming the top spot from global rivals and reaffirming the UK’s position as a global creative powerhouse.
“Britain is once again setting the pace for unscripted television around the world,” said Trang Nguyen, APAC & MEA Manager at K7 Media. “From classic quiz shows to fresh, innovative talk formats, UK producers are delivering ideas that resonate with global audiences.”
New formats like The 1% Club (BBC Studios) and The Piano (Fremantle) continued to sell strongly, while long-standing favourites such as MasterChef (Banijay), Come Dine With Me (ITV Studios), and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Sony Pictures Television) proved their staying power with dozens of active versions worldwide.
Spin-offs also played a key role in Britain’s resurgence. Taskmaster Junior (Avalon) and Lego Masters: Out of the Box (Banijay) quickly secured international commissions, while Love Island All Stars launched in Germany with a second season already on the way.
K7 reported on the success of French formats last year and that continues with autism-themed talk show The A Talks (CAN’T STOP media). The French format has already picked up an impressive slate of sales, thanks to its mix of socially relevant framing and lower production costs. It was recently adapted for the UK market as The Assembly with celebrity guests interviewed by a panel of autistic journalists.
While Korea’s export boom has stabilised post The Masked Singer, Japan is emerging as Asia’s new format trendsetter. Japanese comedy game shows, led by LOL: Last One Laughing (Yoshimoto), are gaining momentum, fuelled by Amazon’s rapid rollout across international markets. This regional shift was a standout theme at MIP London and reflects changing commissioner appetites for comedy-led formats.
With more than 50 UK-originated format adaptations already confirmed for 2025, Britain’s role in shaping the global unscripted landscape shows no signs of slowing. Whether rebooting classics, launching spin-offs, or exporting fresh social formats, the UK continues to lead both in volume and in vision.
“British TV has a history of success around the globe,” said K7 Media CEO and founder Keri Lewis Brown. “What we’re seeing now is the UK’s storytelling heritage, format innovation, and global collaboration showing resurgence in a challenging climate and fast changing world.”
