Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: December 2023
SIC J59.130Revenue
£4.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
9,544
Businesses
757
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry analysis
The performance of the industry depends on the popularity of film releases in a given year, the number of releases, DVD and Blu-ray sales, and demand from domestic and international TV broadcasters and VOD platforms. The success of a number of film releases and rising demand from video-on-demand (VOD) platforms has supported the industry.Industry revenue has fluctuated as a result of low cinema attendance and the varying popularity of cinema releases. Factors affecting the industry's performance include the rising number of screens owned per person and the growth of digital distribution. Over the five years through 2023-24, revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 0.1% to £4.8 billion. Revenue tanked in 2020-21 amid the pandemic. The industry relies heavily on demand from motion picture and TV production and cinema admissions, all of which were negatively affected by the pandemic due to nationwide lockdowns, social distancing measures and the forced closure of cinemas across the globe. Revenue is forecast to grow by 1.6% in 2023-24, on the back of successful movie releases fuelling downstream demand.Industry revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 1.8% over the five years through 2028-29 to reach £5.2 billion. Revenue generated from distribution to DVD and video retailers is likely to continue to fall as VOD services extend their dominance. Piracy is likely to be a persistent threat to distributors due to the increasing preference for online streaming.
Trends and Insights
- Pandemic hammers film and TV distribution. Screenings and new content production were disrupted by cinema closures and pandemic responses, leading to a scarcity of fresh offerings and a slump in industry revenue in 2020-21.
- Streaming boosts TV content demand. The rise of video-on-demand services offers new revenue streams, pushing TV program distribution to new heights.
- Major US producers locate themselves in London. The city's dominance in the UK film industry, attracted by the proximity to its key networks and services, makes it an ideal location for the bases of major US producers.
- Accessing supply contracts remains a tough challenge. Given the strong influence US-based production companies have, new entrants struggle to compete with established distributors, making access to supply contracts a major hurdle.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £4.8bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The pandemic tanked the industry in 2020-21
- Distributors rely heavily on content from upstream motion picture and TV production firms and demand from cinemas. Pandemic responses forced cinema closures globally and negatively affected these industries.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
A short-term concern is the release of motion pictures to digital streaming services
- Invoked by global lockdowns, some blockbusters (like Disney's Mulan) were not released in cinemas but were instead released digitally. Mulan was released on Disney+ in September 2020.
Biggest companies in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (£m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
The Walt Disney Company Ltd | 1,383.3 | |
BBC Studios Distribution Ltd | 751.0 | |
Sony Corporation | 499.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including US-produced films, UK-produced films and Internationally produced films and TV series. US-produced films is the largest segment of the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK.
Trends and Insights
US-produced films are the largest product segment
- Most of these are produced by the so-called Big Six film studios - Warner Bros, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Walt Disney Studios.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Television Programming & Broadcasting in the UK
Complementors
- Motion Picture Production in the UK
- Cinemas in the UK
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the UK
International industries
- Global Movie Production & Distribution
- Movie & Video Distribution in the US
- Movie & Video Distribution in Canada
- Motion Picture and Video Distribution in Australia
- Motion Picture and Video Production in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry consists of firms that distribute films to cinemas, TV networks and other exhibitors. It also includes companies that acquire distribution rights and distribute DVDs to retailers and wholesalers, but excludes the reproduction and sale of film, videos and DVDs from master copies. Broadcast syndication, which is the licensing of TV programmes to external broadcasters, is also included.
What's included in this industry?
US-produced filmsUK-produced filmsInternationally produced films and TV seriesOther videos and DVDsTV programmesCompanies
The Walt Disney Company LtdBBC Studios Distribution LtdSony CorporationPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
DISTRIBUTORTHEATRICAL RELEASEBROADCAST SYNDICATIONIndustry Code
SIC 59.13 - Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Pandemic hammers film and TV distribution. Screenings and new content production were disrupted by cinema closures and pandemic responses, leading to a scarcity of fresh offe...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Streaming boosts TV content demand. The rise of video-on-demand services offers new revenue streams, pushing TV program distribution to new heights.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Major US producers locate themselves in London. The city's dominance in the UK film industry, attracted by the proximity to its key networks and services, makes it an ideal l...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Accessing supply contracts remains a tough challenge. Given the strong influence US-based production companies have, new entrants struggle to compete with established distrib...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Disney's dominance lies in its rich content portfolio. With exclusive rights to brands like Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar, Disney holds vast branded entertainment, offering unr...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of The Walt Disney Company Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of BBC Studios Distribution Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Sony Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for The Walt Disney Company Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for BBC Studios Distribution Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Sony Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Safeguarding creators' rights is key. Through copyright and intellectual property laws, creators of original works are guarded against unauthorised use of their creations, en...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit in film distribution is largely unpredictable. This unpredictability stems from factors like industry volatility, the strength of releases in a given year, and unexpec...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2021)
- Assets (2017-2021)
- Liabilities (2017-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £4.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in 2023?
There are 757 businesses in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution market in United Kingdom are The Walt Disney Company Ltd, BBC Studios Distribution Ltd and Sony Corporation
What does the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK in United Kingdom include?
US-produced films and UK-produced films are part of the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is The Walt Disney Company Ltd.
How competitive is the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
