U.K. TV indies up foreign biz by 34%

LONDON -- Overseas revenues for U.K. indie TV production companies grew by 34% last year, according to figures published Monday by local producers' org Pact. Foreign revenues are of growing importance to the sector. The shingles generated 590 million ($973 million) from outside the U.K in 2010, which translates to 25% of the sector's total revenues, compared with 20% the previous year. International sales of finished programs rose from $115 million to $143 million, and international commissions from overseas broadcasters rose from $488 million to $660 million. In the U.K., growth was flat, as the BBC and Channel 5 cut back on home-grown fare. PACT CEO John McVay said: "The U.K. indie sector has once again proved itself adept at finding and exploiting new opportunities and overseas markets so that it can continue to deliver growth despite a flat domestic market for content." The figures were published in PACT's 2011 Census produced by consultancy Oliver and Ohlbaum Associates. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com