As part of the 31st edition of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre (September 1-5), the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) and Unifrance have presented their annual report on the export of French audiovisual programs. While sales of French productions remain strong overall, exceeding €200 million for the fourth time in 30 years (previously in 2017 with €205.2M, in 2022 with €214.8M, and in 2023 with €203.4M), the numbers show that animation sales are down again despite a number of internationally popular titles continuing to expand their reach around the world.
The report points out that French programs continue to find homes easily abroad, in spite of global industry turmoil from company restructures and job cuts to declines in commissions and acquisitions worldwide — particularly in North America. Unifrance/CNC notes that buyers are more resistant to risk-taking and negotiations are taking longer, with greater focus being placed on well-known, high-performing IP, creating more challenges for smaller producers and original projects.
Overall, French audiovisual exports reached €209.6 million, a slight increase of 3% over one year. The total export value of French audiovisual programs, including sales, pre-sales and co-production contributions, reached a record high in 2024 with €401.2 million (+29.7% compared to 2023) thanks to a strong rebound in foreign pre-financing. This trend, visible across all genres, was driven both by co-production contributions, which grew to €116.2 million (+58.7% compared to 2023), and by foreign pre-sales, which reached €75.4 million (+131.2% compared to 2023).
France remains the second-most represented European nation internationally on SVOD and overseas TV channels. Revenues from the exhibition of French programs on platforms abroad has become an increasingly important source of income: 40.9% of export revenues in 2024 (11.2% in 2015). Linear broadcasters remained the leading buyers of French audiovisual programs: TV rights (including 360 rights) accounted for 52.7% of total program sales in 2024 (11.1% in 2015). The fastest growing genres are drama/fiction (€75.2M) and documentaries (€44.3M).
Now for the bad news: Animation sales were down again, achieving €46.1 million in 2024 (-9.9% compared to 2023). While highly popular programs such as Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Mystery Lane, Grizzy and the Lemmings and Molang continue to air and sell around the world, the report notes that animation in particular has suffered from buyers’ reluctance to take risks on new projects and from the rationalization of investments. This situation was mainly due to a drop in sales in North America (-36.8% year-on-year) to €2.7 million, the lowest level since 2008.
However, animation remained the second-most exported genre with a 22.0% market share, and it is worth noting the strong recovery in pre-sales in 2024 (+104.1%). Unifrance/CNC also pointed out that, with Western Europe that leading market for French TV exports (North America is down to third with €16.5M and a 7.9% market share, its lowest level ever), sales of multi-zone rights (including worldwide rights) rose, reaching €57.9M (+25.1%) to match the record level set in 2022. Among these, animation was the second most sought-after genre, accounting for 29% of multi-zone sales. This growth was driven in particular by AVOD, with revenues doubling in one year to €16.6M. However, while multi-zone revenues in SVOD grew, worldwide rights sales have dwindled in favor of more targeted acquisitions for select territories.
[Sources: Unifrance, Deadline]
