Europe’s Scripted Thaw: More Development, New Rules, Vertical Video
The article summarizes key takeaways from Series Mania 2026, including reported increases in scripted development activity and indications from Prime Video and Disney+ executives that European originals investment and greenlights will rise, while noting Netflix’s limited presence at the event. It also highlights Europe-focused co-production policy efforts via a Council of Europe convention aimed at clearer rules on contributions, ownership, and rights, and points to microdrama/vertical video as an emerging format area attracting attention from producers such as Banijay.
Key Takeaways
- Development budgets are rising again: BBC Studios plans +25% development spend and aims to lift scripted revenue share from 15% to 25%.
- Prime Video and Disney+ executives said European originals investment and series volume will increase; Disney+ cited multiple new greenlights (Italy, Spain, Turkey, UK doc).
- Netflix’s minimal presence at Series Mania stood out, signaling a potential gap others are eager to fill in Europe.
- PSBs still underpin European commissioning: only 14% of European titles were greenlit by streamers (2024 data, European Audiovisual Observatory).
- A Council of Europe co-production convention is advancing to clarify contribution criteria and standardize rights/ownership—plus vertical microdrama is emerging as a lower-cost talent pipeline.
Why It Matters
The “post-Peak TV” reset is hardening into a new playbook: fewer blank checks, more targeted development, and more Europe-first strategy. If Prime Video/Disney+ follow through, Europe becomes a higher-stakes battleground for originals—especially as Netflix’s absence creates whitespace for rivals and local partners. The co-production convention is the under-discussed lever: clearer rules on money, creative control, and rights could reduce friction and accelerate cross-border financing. And vertical microdrama is the format wildcard—cheap, fast, and talent-rich—potentially the new farm system feeding premium series.
Read full article at broadcastnow.co.uk
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