Report: Scripted Series Production Up, Due To Streaming Networks

HOLLYWOOD, CA -- A 10 percent rise in live-action scripted series produced in U.S. studios for American audiences is almost entirely due to streaming services, according to a report released today.

A count by FilmLA, the official film office for Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, found there were 467 live-action scripted series produced by U.S. studios for the domestic market over the past two years.

The number of live-action scripted series in production was up nearly 10 percent from 2016-17 to 2017-18. All the annual series count growth is attributed to digital networks, the report found.

The number of digitally distributed original series in production has risen 2,314 percent since 2010-11 on a series count basis. Digital series now comprise nearly one-fifth of all new television projects tracked by FilmLA.

The report also found the number of new projects ordered ``straight to series'' has gone from 4 percent of new projects eight years ago to 36 percent in 2017-18.

Of the 57 jurisdictions the tracked series were produced in, California was the top location for scripted television with 176, or 38 percent.

The economic value of the production of scripted television series to California was estimated by FilmLA at more than $6.8 billion per year.

City News Service contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock