Scripted TV orders in North America increased for a second consecutive year in 2025.
Total scripted commissions rose by 3% year-on-year, while first-run scripted TV series saw a stronger 7% increase. Overall production volume in 2025 reached 76% of 2021 levels, the peak of the “peak TV” era, marking the highest output since the sharp production cuts at the end of 2022.
This recovery stands in contrast to international markets, where global scripted commissions declined by 9%. In Western Europe, the downturn has been driven primarily by budget pressures on public service broadcasters and a continued shift toward unscripted programming.
Growth in North America was supported by increased orders across SVoD platforms, pay TV, and commercial free-to-air (FTA) broadcasters. Among these, FTA channels led the rebound, with scripted orders rising by 22% year-on-year.
Producers and commissioners are increasingly turning to pre-existing intellectual property (IP). In 2025, 44% of scripted commissions were based on adaptations or established franchises, up from 41% in 2024.
Commercial FTA broadcasters showed the strongest reliance on IP, with 57% of their scripted orders tied to existing brands, the highest share recorded in the past five years.
According to Ampere Analysis, IP-led projects have become a key strategy for reducing risk amid ongoing budget constraints and supporting content discovery in an increasingly on-demand viewing landscape.
