French TV international programming sales remained strong in 2023, only slipping 5.3% to €203.4 million ($224.7 million) compared to the previous year. This marks the third time in 30 years that sales surpassed the €200 million mark, showcasing the resilience of French programs in the global market. The annual report on audiovisual exports by France’s National Center of Cinema (CNC) and Unifrance highlighted the challenges faced in the industry, such as lower acquisition budgets and a shrinking North American market.
Despite these obstacles, French programs have continued to perform well internationally, with total exports reaching €309.2 million ($340.1 million), a slight decrease of 3.3% from 2022. The quality and diversity of French audiovisual works across all genres have been key factors in attracting international audiences. French programs are highly regarded on VOD platforms and foreign TV channels, solidifying France’s position as a major player in the global market.
Linear channels remained the primary buyers of French shows, with TV rights accounting for the majority of program sales. Scripted drama was the top-performing genre, generating €74.5 million ($82.0 million) in sales, followed by documentaries at €47.2 million ($51.9 million) and animation at €51.2 million ($56.3 million). Ambitious series like “HPI,” “Marie Antoinette,” and “B.R.I.” have contributed to the success of French dramatic fiction on the international stage.
Sales were strongest in Western Europe, with Belgium emerging as the top buyer of French shows. The U.K. and Ireland, Germany and Austria, and North America also made significant contributions to French program sales. Despite a decline in sales to the U.S., French programs continued to attract viewers worldwide.
Looking ahead, the report highlighted the challenges facing the industry, particularly in the animation sector. While French toons have a global presence, rationalization of buyers’ investments has impacted the genre. However, with a strong lineup of content and a diverse range of genres, French TV programming is poised to maintain its position in the competitive international market. The recent opening of the automatic support fund for delegated production works aimed at global SVOD services has had a significant impact on pre-sale figures, according to a recent report. This shift in funding has led to a boost in co-production investments, with animation seeing a 54% increase to €36.3 million ($40.0 million) and dramatic fiction rising by 50.8% to €20.2 million ($22.2 million). However, documentary co-productions were down by 8.4% to €14.3 ($15.7 million).
Despite these fluctuations, Western Europe remains the dominant co-production partner, contributing 84.3% of total investments. Looking ahead, industry experts like Raphaëlle Mathieu, co-head of SEDPA, are eyeing Asia as a potential growth market. While acknowledging the current challenges facing the industry, Mathieu believes that countries like Japan, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China present exciting opportunities for French companies across all genres.
Whether specializing in documentary, fiction, or animation, French production companies are encouraged to explore partnerships in Asia. Mathieu is optimistic about the potential for growth in the region, emphasizing the need for hard work and dedication to tap into these emerging markets. As the industry continues to evolve, diversifying co-production efforts beyond Western Europe could lead to new and lucrative opportunities in the months and years to come.
