MUMBAI: The value of imported drama series for European broadcasters was $5.9 billion in 2011, with the top 200 titles supplying 81 per cent ($4.8 billion) of that total.

The imported drama series in Europe report estimated that the top 10 titles accounted for 23 per cent ($1.4 billion) of the 2011 total value, with the top 50 taking 55 per cent ($3.2 billion).

NCIS led the pack with $210 million. Only one of the top 10 titles originated from outside the US.

Essential Television Statistics, Madigan Cluff, Digital TV Research have done the report. The report?s co-author and Madigan Cluff director Michael Cluff said, ?CBS distributed the top three titles in 2011, with NCIS leading the pack by generating $210 million. The three CSI franchises appear in the top 10. Only one of the top 10 titles (Sturm der Liebe) originated from outside the US."

The report?s co-author Jonathan Bailey who is also Essential Television Statistics MD explained, ?Only 22 per cent of the hours screened for the top 200 titles appeared in primetime (20,507 hours from 94,638 in total). However, 69 per cent ($3,337 million) of the value created for these titles was in primetime."

The top six US distributors dominate the top 200, creating nearly three-quarters of the value and 56 per cent of the titles. CBS is the clear leader, with second-placed Warner Bros some way behind.

Cluff added: ?However, these six companies are probably not as dominant as many people would have guessed. Indeed, seventh-placed ZDF ($183 million, 12 titles) was pretty close to Sony in 2011. ITV was next with $116 million (nine titles). Ninth place (and the only other distributor to record more than $100 million from Europe?s top 200 titles) went to Bavaria Media ($113 million), but this was solely for Sturm der Liebe."