British television shows have emerged as the biggest hits for Netflix subscribers around the globe. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed at a recent industry event that the four most popular titles on Netflix between January and June came from the UK. The shows—”Fool Me Once,” “Bridgerton,” “The Gentleman,” and “Baby Reindeer”—together gathered over 360 million viewers worldwide.
Sarandos made the announcement while addressing attendees at the Royal Television Society conference in London. He praised the strength of the British television and film industries. According to Sarandos, factors like robust public broadcasters, training programs for creators, supportive policies, and tax breaks have helped UK productions succeed both domestically and internationally.
Research from Deadline also found growing interest in British entertainment. Streaming of UK movies and shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video jumped 40% among US viewers in recent quarters. This increase partially stemmed from strikes affecting new American show development.
Authentic local storytelling seems to resonate globally, Sarandos said. While some argue for programming tailored to different markets, Sarandos believes hit shows stem from genuine local themes that then travel beyond borders. He cited “Supacell” and “Baby Reindeer” as examples of British hits finding fans worldwide thanks to their authentic British perspectives.
To support more British productions, Netflix recently signed a multi-title deal with “Baby Reindeer” creator Richard Gadd. Gadd took home Emmys this year for writing and acting in the limited series. Netflix has now invested $6 billion in the UK since 2000, funding over 100 projects staffed by more than 30,000 crew and talent. Upcoming titles like the “Knives Out” sequel show this investment is yielding popular series and films for the streaming service.
As competition in the streaming sector intensifies, Netflix’s achievements with British content suggest globally-focused services can succeed by authentically representing diverse local cultures from around the world.
