• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, Today

After a few years of declining "peak TV" content, there has been another increase in premium scripted shows in 2025.

Ampere Analysis says the number of TV series’ seasonal orders -- new or existing initiating productions -- was up 3% in North America.

This follows an 8% spike in 2024. New first-run TV shows grew 7%.

Ampere says the rebound on orders is coming across all platforms: subscription video-on-demand, linear pay TV networks, and over-the-air broadcasters.

In particular, it says over-the-air TV networks have risen 22% over the year before.

In the summer of 2023, there was a double strike -- among actors and writers -- which had a major disruptive effect on TV and movie production.

The writers' walkout lasted from May 2 through September 27, and actors were out from July 14 through November 9 that year.

TV and movie productions continue to focus on safe and predictable trends and genres, according to Ampere.

“Basing scripted shows on established franchises or literary brands is now a key strategic priority, highlighting how critical IP ownership and content have become for producers,” writes Cyrine Amor, research manager at Ampere Analysis.

“It also reflects a broader shift in how content is discovered as audiences move towards on-demand viewing.”

At the same time, international markets have been heading in the opposite direction -- down 9%.

“Budget pressures on public service broadcasters and a shift towards unscripted programming are weighing particularly heavily on Western Europe,” Amor says.