Glance presented a trends session focused on factual and non-scripted content, during the Miptv weekend presented by Beatrice Rossmanith, Head of Global Business. She reported that the number of non-scripted series released in the last 12 months has decreased, from 6,614 in 2022 to 5,921 last year, this represents a 10.5% decrease. She explained that this is due to changes in the industry, whose companies have been unified, but above all that, the number of production companies is moving from linear channels to delivering finished titles to platforms.
True crime continues to be the dominant theme, with more than 400 award-winning titles in 2023. And precisely thanks to these themes, factual content continues to be the one that performs best in 2 out of 5 territories.
Thrillers have become prominent, covering various themes from mystery to mental health. Examples include Flowers over the Inferno from Italy, featuring a main character with Alzheimer's, and the Czech crime drama The Professor, where an oddball lecturer joins a police unit. Fact-based storytelling gained traction with productions like Mr. Bates vs the Post Office from the UK and The Butler from Poland. Dystopian narratives with political or environmental themes are popular, like The Swarm and Families Like Ours. Scripted content explored themes of identity, belonging, and LGBTQ+ matters. In unscripted programming, authenticity and environmental awareness are evident in shows like Watersnoodjournaal and Wild Isles. Asian IP, such as The Devil's Plan from South Korea and The Wall Duet from Thailand, found success in international markets. Battle in the Box, a comedy-reality hybrid from South Korea, is set to debut in the UK in 2024.
In addition to true-crime, documentary titles on sports, culture, music, and the arts have grown in demand from the audience and from streaming platforms. While on the linear channels, history, and society documentaries are the most in demand.
In terms of business models, the consulting firm has observed that in terms of true-crime, multi-platform agreements have grown, which has represented opportunities for the FAST and AVOD segment, where YouTube has been one of the great beneficiaries. Missing, Presumed Dead (10×60′), signed a windowing agreement on A+E Networks EMEA and on the FAST channel FD Crime.
Broadcasters and digital streamers are prioritizing live events such as sports and entertainment to maintain their market presence. Live sports broadcasts have seen record ratings, like the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup, which attracted 16.5 million viewers live on TF1. Streamers are also capitalizing on sports content, evident from Netflix's recent agreement with WWE. Young adults remain a crucial demographic, with entertainment programs and iconic linear TV hits like Friends, Suits, The Big Bang Theory, and The Simpsons maintaining strong appeal on SVOD platforms.
In addition to true-crime, documentary titles on sports, culture, music, and the arts have grown in demand from the audience and from streaming platforms. While on the linear channels, history, and society documentaries are the most in demand.
In terms of business models, the consulting firm has observed that in terms of true-crime, multi-platform agreements have grown, which has represented opportunities for the FAST and AVOD segment, where YouTube has been one of the great beneficiaries. Missing, Presumed Dead (10×60′), signed a windowing agreement on A+E Networks EMEA and on the FAST channel FD Crime.
Broadcasters and digital streamers are prioritizing live events such as sports and entertainment to maintain their market presence. Live sports broadcasts have seen record ratings, like the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup, which attracted 16.5 million viewers live on TF1. Streamers are also capitalizing on sports content, evident from Netflix's recent agreement with WWE. Young adults remain a crucial demographic, with entertainment programs and iconic linear TV hits like Friends, Suits, The Big Bang Theory, and The Simpsons maintaining strong appeal on SVOD platforms.
