The U.K. television sector recorded a robust £3.81 billion ($5.1 billion) in revenues last year, marking a 4.1% increase from 2024 figures. This growth, detailed in Pact’s 2026 census, is primarily attributed to the soaring investment from international streaming services.

International TV revenue alone accounted for 41.1% of the total in 2025, reaching £1.57 billion – a substantial 15.8% increase year-on-year. This marks the first time this figure has grown since the post-COVID rebound in 2022.

SVOD platforms like Netflix, home to hits such as The Gentlemen and Black Doves, and Amazon’s Prime Video, with popular shows like Clarkson’s Farm and L.O.L. Last One Laughing U.K., have significantly ramped up their commissioning budgets, funneling record investment into the U.K. production landscape.

Conversely, the domestic TV market saw revenues dip below £2 billion for the first time in five years, a 4.7% year-on-year drop. This decline is linked to a reduction in U.K. commissions, stemming from a small decrease in spending from public service broadcasters (PSBs) like the BBC and ITV, and a more significant drop in multichannel spend.

While international commissions made up 35% of all primary commissions, U.K. PSB network commissions decreased by 10% to 58%. However, PSB commissions still represent the majority of revenue at £1.42 billion, or 85.9%.

Pact's data also highlights a growing trend among producers to diversify their revenue streams. Non-TV revenue increased by £34 million last year, driven by U.K. feature films, management and event production, and advertising. Secondary rights revenue also saw a healthy 12.7% growth, hitting a record £575 million.

Nigel Warner, CEO of Pact, commented on the findings: “Pact’s 2026 census underlines once again the strength of the U.K. production market in attracting inward investment, but also its vulnerability to declining domestic spend. While it is welcome to see the proportion of investment in the nations and regions holding up, it is concerning that the pressures on new and smaller indies remain acute. A new settlement for a strong and sustainable BBC is urgently needed. The entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive the U.K.’s independent sector’s success, but we need to see growth in domestic PSB investment to help all parts of the production sector to thrive.”