Netflix and Amazon Prime help propel UK's TV production industry to record revenues

Shows 'The Crown', 'Black Mirror' and 'The Grand Tour' contributed to income of £2.7bn in 2017, a rise of nearly a third over past decade

Shows including 'The Crown' contributed to income of £2.7bn in 2017 (Netflix)

Netflix and Amazon Prime helped the UK TV production sector post record revenue last year, the industry’s trade association said.

Shows including The Crown, Black Mirror and The Grand Tour contributed to income of £2.7bn in 2017, a rise of nearly a third over the past decade, according to the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact).

The annual census revealed the independent TV sector had grown by 1.9 per cent per year since 2012, equivalent to roughly £50m per year. This has been driven by international revenue which has more than doubled over the past eight years to £802m.

UK programmes including Victoria, Sherlock and Midsomer Murders continued to be popular abroad and contributed to the growing figures.

Commissioning revenue from overseas on-demand services – such as Netflix and Amazon Prime – also increased by 19 per cent year on year to £150m, thanks to shows including The Crown, Black Mirror and The Grand Tour.

The census also found the spend on factual entertainment shows – including Love Island, Gogglebox and First Dates – has almost doubled since 2012.

John McVay, Pact chief executive, said: “The indie TV sector has seen impressive growth in the past decade which is being driven by international revenue, and in particular commissions from overseas companies.

“It’s fantastic that British content is sought-after around the world and that it contributes so much to the British economy.”

PA