Notes on the method

Executive Summary

1. Entertainment is growing on linear TV
   The 2022/2023 season is characterized by the growth of hourly entertainment. A total of 16,855 first-run content hours were created on linear networks, signaling a recovery of +7% compared to the 2021/2022 season. In terms of titles, however, there was a slight decline (-3%) due in particular to a reduction in products insourced by broadcasters.
2. Independent productions: titles and hours (above all) are growing
   On linear TV, independent outsourced productions increased compared to the last season by +4% in titles in all time slots and by +19% in hourly volume. Independent production still leads in primetime.
3. Generalist networks strengthen independent productions
   The positive result of outsourced production is linked above all to generalist networks where entertainment is growing, bringing the hourly volume of first-run titles back in line with the data of the 2020/2021 season, thanks to an increase of +14 compared to last year’s percentage. A less positive figure can be found in the multichannel model, where titles lose an overall -10% compared to last year, and the hours grow by only 2%.
4. Unscripted is awarded by OTTs
   Positive sign for both indicators on OTT platforms that count 96 titles and 355 hours, marking an increase in both hours (+5%) and titles (+9%) in comparison with the previous season, rewarding in particular the outsourced production model (+24% of titles and +30% of hours). In the 2022/23 season, the production of new players such as Paramount+ and NowTV starts blooming (on the other hand, TimVision shuts down); Amazon Prime Video and RaiPlay (+34%) titles are growing significantly (+123% compared to the previous season). The hourly volume increases among almost all players.
5. The three television models focus on different genres, tendering specific offers. Docs remain strategic, Entertainment stands out
   Compared to the total offer, Docs maintain their role as an intensive genre (meaning many titles), while Talk Shows, Infotainment and Magazine dominate the hourly volume (extensive products). An analysis of the three television models highlights significant differences: the generalist model strengthens Docs, which is the leading genre together with Magazines and Entertainment; Talk Shows, Infotainment and Magazines dominate in terms of hourly volume. Among the Multichannel model, Docs lose ground and Entertainment and Factual grow; Magazines increase in hours. Docs have become the main genre of the OTT model, Entertainment records an increase, just as T-R-D (Talent-Reality-Dating).
6. International formats are growing, just as Italian formats
   Adaptations from international formats are growing both in terms of titles (+11%) and hours (+39%), particularly thanks to the T-R-D and Factual genres. Primetime remains a privileged time slot for broadcasting products adapted from international formats, although pre-evening time slots are becoming more significant. While still marginal, the foreign sale of domestic formats is slightly improving compared to previous seasons.
7. Less innovation on networks, more innovation on streaming platforms
   On networks, over half the titles are original, although featured by a strong contraction compared to the previous season (-9% titles, -6% hours). The impact of new products on the hourly volume is minimal as renewals prevail on the programming. Among genres, Docs have the most original titles, while Infotainment and T-R-D prevail in terms of hours. Innovation takes place mainly on OTT platforms (77% of titles are original this season), thanks to RaiPlay and Amazon Prime Video. Among networks, Rai is the most innovative player; among channels, TV8 has the highest original rate compared to the overall unscripted hourly offering (84%).
8. Production companies ratio and the growing role of domestic players
   The “mega-indie” production companies (large global companies) recorded a slight decline in the season in terms of titles (with the sole exception of FremantleMedia), while the role of domestic players such as Ballandi and Blu Yazmine and of “multi-skilled” companies grow. The landscape of production companies is extremely varied and fragmented: 72% produced a single content in the season. Among independent productions, the tendency to create original “local” content is growing.
9. Kids TV: Animation is still a leader. Original Entertainment productions intensify
   The Kids TV landscape is rich and diversified, featuring multiple players, channels and content. Among the players, WarnerBros. Discovery aired the largest number of titles through its free and pay channels. Animation represents 3/4 of the kids’ offer, but the genre growing the most is Scripted (Movies and TV series). Productions or co-productions with a significant amount of domestic players impact the kids’ offering by 15%, particularly in the Animation and Entertainment genres.