Bashir's Jackson documentary UK's biggest TV export

Living with Michael Jackson was Britain’s biggest television export last year, according to figures released today.

Martin Bashir’s sensational documentary about the superstar’s eccentric life was shown in more than 120 countries.

Home-grown TV shows reaped record earnings around the globe last year, the figures show.

Where modern gritty TV dramas have not sold particularly well in the past, new glamorous shows like Footballers Wives and Spooks are proving popular exports.

A quarter of TV export earnings came from children’s programmes, their merchandise and video/DVD rights, such as Bob the Builder, Pingu and Noddy.

Revenue from British shows rose by 22% to $921m (€1.4bn) in 2003, according to the British Television Distributors’ Association.

Total revenue from TV exports has risen by more than 80% in the past five years.

Sales to the US rose for the third year running, by 41%, constituting 43% of total UK exports.

Revenue from key markets in western Europe, such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Scandinavia, grew by 38% on average, compared to flat or minus figures in 2002.

The sales mark a turnaround in fortunes in western Europe, as UK programmes had been squeezed out for US and domestic shows.

The best-selling new programmes in 2003 were documentaries, with Ancient Greek Olympics and science series Innovations going to 80 countries.

The late John Thaw and actor John Nettles are still the face of British television abroad, with Inspector Morse continuing to be the best-selling programme over the five years, having been seen in over 200 countries, and Midsomer Murders coming second.

For the past five years, Midsomer Murders comes second and was shown in 164 countries, Frenchman’s Creek was shown 150 countries and Bob the Builder 142.

Last year’s figures show the largest rise since the BTDA changed the way it collected data in 1998.

BTDA board member Rupert Dilnott-Cooper said 2003 was a tremendous year for television overseas.

He said: “We have always had the heritage, creativity and technical expertise to produce quality programmes but there is a real buzz in the industry at the moment and I believe the increased sales are reflective of this.”

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: “At its best, our TV is the envy of the world. These figures bear that out.

“They show the UK industry going from strength to strength, producing programmes that are not only of exceptional quality but also overwhelming popularity both here and across the globe.

“They are a testament to the power of UK creative talent in the international arena.”