Docs, toons boost French TV exports

BIARRITZ -- Driven by documentary and animation programs sales, French TV exports rose 5.1% in 2010 to reach e105.6 million ($148.4 million), according to figures unveiled Wednesday at the TVFI Biarritz Rendez-Vous. TVFI's Mathieu Bejot said the market rebound concerned trading volume more than revs. "New digital channels that have become important buyers of French programs but they are generally investing less in original programming than the traditional terrestrial broadcasters," according to the report compiled by the CNC and TVFI. Animated programs' sales progressed 9.1% to $48.9 million euros, while docus' climbed 13.7% to $37.1 million. Formats continued to grow, generating $24.1 million, a 4.9% increase on 2009. Meanwhile, drama sales fell 11.6% to $26.8 million. Bejot said the revenue drop was mainly due to declining production levels and the wrap of such bestselling, long-running series as "Navarro" and "Julie Lescaut." Bejot also pointed out specific examples of fiction drama series that have scored top ratings overseas, such as "Spiral, " which is sold by Newen Distribution. "Spiral"'s format has been optioned by BBC America, per Bejot. International co-production investment rose 7.2% to $88.2 million; and pre-sales fell 12.9% to $42.8 million. These figures were bolstered by the comicbook-based series "XIII," which was commissioned by Canal Plus and received large co-production and pre-sales investment from the U.S. and Canada, according to Caroline Jeanneau, head of studies and statistics at the CNC. Western Europe remained the No. 1 consumer of Gallic programs, repping just under 60% of French exports' total sales revenues with $87.4 million spent in 2010. Sales to North America climbed 28.3% to $17.3 million, while Latin America's rose 61.1% to $5.2 million. Scandinavia showed the biggest spike with an increase of 66.6% to $10.2 million. Deals to Asia also rose 18.6% to reach a healthy $14.3 million, driven by a progression in sales from Southeastern Asian countries including Japan. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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