This morning at Le Rendez-Vous in Biarritz, Eurodata TV Worldwide presented a study into French content production conducted for TV France International. The major insight : French productions, mainly nature documentaries and crime series, are attractive globally, meeting worldwide expectations.
Though France is this year again the 3rd exporting country behind the United States and the United Kingdom, it is the only one in the top three to progress : + 18% vs last year*.
Among French exports, 55% are factual programmes, 36% fictions and 9% entertainment. France remains in the season 2017-2018 the leading exporter of non-English language television series programming.Belgium, Portugal and Italy are the countries which broadcast the most French programmes; Australia and Canada are the first non-European countries on the ranking.
The choice of topics in line with the expectations of a global audience plays a major role in the success of French programmes abroad. “The solid production and distribution in France built know-how across the years”, stated Avril Blondelot, head of Content Insight at Eurodata TV Worldwide.
Thrillers such as Nox (Gaumont Distribution / StudioCanal), The Accident (Banijay Rights) and Mother is Wrong (france.tv Distribution) are dominated by strong family issues and tough backgrounds; they offer a broad scripted spectrum and fit with worldwide hot topics. Outstanding personalities who fight for their rights (Proud – Scarlett / 13 Productions), their lives (Missions – AB International) or their position (Philarmonia – Lagardère Studios) are conquering a changing world and attract a younger audience.
Missions tells how an expedition on Mars is transformed into a rescue mission to save a competitor’s ship and crew. The series addresses the future of our species and planet, drawing unexpected parallels between Mars and the Earth, by means of a powerful and unusual ecological allegory. Presented in world premiere at MipDrama Screenings in Cannes and distributed byAB International Distribution, the series has notably immediately been bought by the UK.
The personal life of celebrities especially men and women with a strong political role continues to catch the eye of the public. Right now, France is benefitting from a dynamic driven by its presidential couple that fascinates the French and international audience. The france.tv Distribution documentary Brigitte Macron, a French saga, questions the first lady’s primary role in Emmanuel Macron’s rise.
French animation productions get to create strong children series around popular subjects such as magic. Mixing learning and magic, Sadie Sparks (Cyber Group Studios) tells the story of a girl and its 700 hundred years old magic bunny and shows kids the pleasure of reaching excellence.
Some exported French formats achieve global success quickly. A great example for 2017 is Dream the Future (About Premium Content) : in Spain and Czech Republic, on a 4-week average, Dream the Future enabled its broadcasters to gain respectively 40% and 67% of audience share!
Dream the Future already benefits from an extensive distribution coverage: it has been sold to more than 50 channels and platforms overseas.
“This study underlines the innovative and ambitious strategies of French producers which create significant appeal outside of our borders. By adding the commercial dynamism and the innovative marketing of our distributors, we have here the few components of the international success of our programs”, says Hervé Michel, president of TV France International.
Avril Blondelot adds: “French productions are beefed up by its strongest creative talents and opened up to all sources of inspirations.”
* Based on finished series or adaptations, launched in 48 territories and around 550 channels, excluding one-offs and co-productions.
