UK HETV inward investment hits £3.2bn

Game of Thrones spin-offs and Harry Potter helped inward investment on the UK’s high-end TV (HETV) industry hit £3.2bn in 2025.

According to the British Film Commission (BFC), this figure marks a 16% year-on-year increase on US inward investment on HETV. Across film and HETV, inward investment contributed £5.8bn to the UK economy last year, up on last year’s figure of £5bn.

The BFC said the growth indicated the “inherent strength, stability and longer-term sustainability of the UK screen industries” at a time when global production is navigating a quickly-changing landscape.

Fantasy titles have particularly contributed to HETV inward investment last year, including HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-offs A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon, as well as its Harry Potter TV series, and Amazon Prime Video’s Rings of Power.

Other titles that assisted the growth include Run Away (Netflix), Rivals (Disney+), The Forsytes (5/PBS) and Industry (BBC/HBO).

Local UK HETV production spend was £688m, accounting for 17% of total HETV production spend. Notable domestic productions included BBC’s Blue Lights and Silent Witness, Channel 4’s A Woman Of Substance and Sky’s Prisoner.

HETV co-productions hit £84m, their highest since the HETV tax relief was introduced. They account for 2% of total HETV spend and included two UK-Germany co-productions: Big Talk and ZDF’s Ludwig and Balloon Entertainment and ZDFneo’s Counsels.

BFC chief executive Adrian Wootton said the figures speak to the “early success” of the enhanced tax credits for film and VFX.

He added: “Crucially, it shows ‘steady as she goes’ growth across the UK, underlining how our industry is cementing and embedding a longer term, sustainable production ecosystem while confirming that studios, directors and producers continue to recognise the UK as a beacon of reliability for fiscal incentives, infrastructure and talent in a shifting, uncertain and highly competitive environment.”

Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive, took heart in the figures, noting that creativity remains one of the UK’s “greatest exports”.

He said: “Productions led by UK talent in front or behind the camera, and those which showcase our renowned and technically skilled crews, consistently attract audiences at home and across the globe.”

However, Roberts acknowledge there would continue to be financial challenges for film and HETV.

“There are encouraging signs thanks in part to the Independent Film Tax Relief and the significant increase in budget for UK Global Screen Fund, but access to finance is an acute challenge,” he continued.

“We continue to be focused on working closely with industry and government to further advocate for investment in skills, infrastructure, creativity and innovation across the UK so we can remain attractive to international productions and strengthen our independent sector.”