MUMBAI: British trade body Pact has put out a report on the state of Britain's television industry.
Revenues from the export of British television programs rose 21 per cent in 2005 to £632 million. The business was particularly strong in western Europe.
The top British shows that found acceptance abroad were the Bafta Awards which aired in India on Star World, and Granada natural history documentaries Chimps - The Dark Side and Wild Sex.
Other British hits include Midsomer Murders, Wild At Heart - the ITV drama starring Amanda Holden - and the business based reality show The Apprentice. Television sales to the US rose by 10 per cent , while there was an 85 per cent growth in western Europe. Agatha Christie's Marple also featured in the Top 20.
There was a 31 per cent increase in exports to Germany following a 14 per cent decrease in 2004, while sales to Spain rose by four per cent. The sale of TV formats rose by a healthy 60 per cent to £42 million last year.
Straight television sales accounted for the bulk of the revenues, with £275 million, a 25 percent increase. Licensing revenues brought in £159 million, a 20 percent gain. Home video/DVD revenues were up 14 percent to £99 million. However, revenues from co-productions fell by four per cent to £52 million.
