The UK television industry has exceeded £9.5 billion of revenues in 2003 and this is forecast to grow over the next decade as a result of multi-channel and on-demand viewing, and the evolution of interactive TV.  This industry comprises: terrestrial television; cable and satellite television; and independent production.

Terrestrial television comprises a few broadcasters who dominate the industry both in terms of employment and programme commissions: the BBC, ITV plc (and the other companies in the ITV Network) Channel 4, S4C and five.  The BBC and ITV companies are producers as well as broadcasters.  There are also currently 19 local television services in the UK operating under Restricted Service Licenses.

In comparison, cable and satellite comprises over 300 companies.  The majority of these companies are small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) employing fewer than 250 people apart from BSkyB.  Many of the cable and satellite companies are publishers and broadcasters.

The UK independent production comprises over 1,000 companies many of which are SMEs.  The top 50 independent production companies supply around 25% of the domestic market, but many small independents produce only one or two commissions a year.  The market share of this industry continues to grow.

All of these companies are supported to some extent by the facilities industry.

Television is a growth industry, a trend that is expected to continue.

Key statistics on the television workforce:

• there is a total workforce of around 76,000 (including broadcast TV, cable and satellite TV, independent production for TV, facilities, animation, distribution and performance) made up of 30,000 staff and 46,000 freelancers including an estimated 13,000 who were not working on Census day
• around 10,000 people are employed in the facilities industry (supporting film and commercials as well as TV), 32% of which are freelance
• 3,000* are employed in animation of which 47% are freelance
• there are 18,000 performers who work mainly in television
• 23,700 people are employed in terrestrial television, 20% on freelance contracts of less than one year
• 6,100 are employed in cable and satellite television, 23% on freelance contracts of less than one year
• 14,900 people are employed in independent production (Television), 58% on freelance contracts of less than one year

(NB Freelance figures do not include those available to the workforce, but not working on Census day.)

Source: Skillset 2005a and Skillset 2005b

For more information about working in the television industry, wages, composition of the workforce and key employers  go to the Skillset website.

Click here for more information on:

• demographics of the TV industry

Number of employees and freelancers employed in television industry, 2004

Future drivers and trends in television

Future skill requirements and implications for the television industry