Channel4
Last Modified: 23 Feb 2006
Source: ITN
Dutch TV company Endemol, which makes Big Brother, has said the UK was its strongest market last year.
The reality TV show - which has been signed up for another two years by Channel 4 - contributed to 18.4 per cent growth in UK revenues for Endemol, totalling €173 million (£118 million) during 2005.
Group revenues were up 5.8 per cent at €900.1 million (£613.8 million) and a 15.4 per cent increase in earnings to €152.8 million (£104.2 million) in its maiden set of results since listing on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange in November.
Endemol said its success in the UK also reflected sports reality shows such as The Match and The Games.
The company also said it will be putting more emphasis on scripted shows in countries such as the United States and the UK where it saw the potential for growth.
Sales of scripted shows around the world rose 21.2 per cent last year to €126.4 million (£86.2 million), outstripping the 3.1 per cent growth of live shows to €690.4 million (£470.7 million).
