The number of new, original scripted series hit a record high in 2021, following a growth dip last year due to production delays amid the pandemic. (Axios)
FX Content Research released its annual tally, listing 559 original scripted series in 2021, an all-time record. That was up 13 percent from 2020 and 5 percent above pre-pandemic 2019. (Deadline)
In raw numbers, the year-to-year growth of 63 series is the most since FX’s research team started tracking the total number of scripted shows. The percentage increase is the largest since the count went from 288 to 349 in 2013, a jump of 21 percent. The total number of scripted shows has more than doubled in the last decade; in 2011 there were 266 scripted series. (THR / Live Feed)
This past year’s comeback was likely fueled by series that were delayed in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic-related production shutdowns. But it’s also likely the result of several more streamers entering the game since the decade began, including Peacock, HBO Max and a rebranded Paramount Plus, which are now humming with ever-increasing volume. (Variety)