UK television exports on a high

Heather Mills McCartney stars in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing

Shows such as Doctor Who and Dancing on Ice helped British TV programmes earn £593m abroad in 2006, up 20% from 2005.

A quarter of the increase came from selling formats like the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, which became Dancing with the Stars in the US.

Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and Shaun The Sheep were also among the top-selling shows, said the Producers' Alliance for Cinema and TV (Pact).

Pact commissioned the research from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

"The inventiveness and quality of British TV makers continues to shine through and is recognised across the world," said creative industries minister Shaun Woodward.

'Compelling content'

Animation Shaun the Sheep has been sold to 72 countries

Europe was the top buyer of UK TV programmes in 2006, accounting for £125m of sales - compared with £77m from the US.

But total revenue from the US increased by 30% between 2005 and 2006.

Sales to Eastern Europe showed the biggest increase - up 42% - thanks to the birth of new TV channels and the long-running popularity of UK programming there.

According to Pact, renewed interest in gameshows and studio-based TV programmes - such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire and American Idol - were the main reasons for the UK's sales success.

"The quality and range of UK programming, from factual entertainment to sports to drama and animation, means UK companies always have a broad range of compelling content to offer international buyers," said Pact chairman John McVay.

The sales statistics were based on returns from 32 TV production companies who are members of Pact.

The total revenue is actually less than 2005's reported sales of £632m. The 2005 figure has been revised down to £494m for purposes of comparison after some companies let their membership of the organisation lapse.