TV Program Production and Distribution

The US TV program production and distribution industry includes about 500 companies with combined annual revenue of $13 billion. Major companies are NBC Universal, CBS Paramount, Disney-ABC, Fox Television Studios, Warner Bros Television Group, and Sony Pictures Television. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 80 percent of industry revenue.

Broadcasting of TV programs is covered in the TV Cable, Pay & Broadcast Networks profile.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Consumer leisure activity and the general economy drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on the marketability of products, mainly their potential to attract advertising revenue for TV networks. Large companies have advantages in financing, distribution, on-staff creative and technical talent, and multiple-year contracts with key performers and directors of popular programs. Small companies can compete successfully by focusing on special topics, niche audiences, or non-mainstream TV channels.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products and services are the production and distribution of TV programs, commercials, and related products, like DVDs. Program production types (genres) include TV movies; dramas; situational comedies (sitcoms); reality, game, and talk shows; and documentaries, children’s, art, sports, and news programs. Most programs are scripted, though some genres are largely unscripted, including talk and reality shows. First-run programs typically earn less than subsequent releases for reruns (“repeats”); long off-network runs (syndication); and other media like DVD.

Revenue mix from major outlets differs for producers and sole distributors. Distribution to TV networks ...