Although EMEA saw a 7% fall, there was a noticeable increase in the commissioning of African productions, particularly in English, Afrikaans, and Arabic.
Video entertainment supply-chain company Vitrina’s monthly global monitor of film and TV productions reveals a 10% drop in global production volumes in September, compared to August. Americas dropped by 24%, EMEA reported a 7% fall, while APAC showed a 15% decrease. Scripted content comprised 69% of all productions with Drama leading among all genres, followed by Documentary and Comedy. Manga and Anime content saw a boom with 70% of Japanese projects focusing on those genres. However, English remained the dominant language, accounting for 38% of projects.
Globally, the top commissioners were Netflix and Prime Video, followed closely by the BBC. Streamers maintained 20% of the total production volume, consistent with previous months. In EMEA, there was a noticeable increase in the commissioning of African productions, particularly in English, Afrikaans, and Arabic.
Trends showed that season renewals have become crucial for businesses in the entertainment supply chain. With delays in new productions due to market uncertainties, renewing established shows has emerged as a reliable strategy for streamers and broadcasters. Renewals not only keep audiences engaged but also ensure a continuous workflow for production and post-production service providers.
Regionally, in September, BBC, Prime Video, and ITV led renewals in EMEA, while APAC saw increased renewal activity driven by Network 10 and smaller buyers. In the Americas, Netflix, Prime Video, and TLC were the top commissioners. Reality emerged as the top genre for renewals during this month. September saw an 8% spike in renewals, led led by EMEA and APAC regions, with a significant rise in Japanese renewals. Netflix, Prime Video, and the BBC were key players in these renewals.
The content production landscape in September 2024 reflected both challenges and resilience. Despite a dip in global production volumes, strategic investments in renewals and a focus on established series have provided stability for key players like Netflix, Prime Video, and the BBC. The growing emphasis on specific genres, languages, and regional content—particularly in manga/anime and African productions—demonstrates the industry’s adaptability in a dynamic market. As content creators continue to navigate market fluctuations, season renewals and targeted commissioning will play an increasingly critical role in maintaining momentum and audience engagement
