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June 08, 2010

Road to Discop III: Cesar Diaz, Prentiss Fraser, Marine Ksadzhikyan

With DISCOP East’s June 22 kick off growing closer, VideoAge talked to three VP’s who are preparing to head to Budapest. Cesar Diaz, VP of Sales at Venezuela and Miami-based Venevision International; Prentiss Fraser, VP of Worldwide Sales & Acquisitions at Los Angeles-based E1 Television International; and Marine Ksadzhikyan, VP of International Sales for Los Angeles-based Rive Gauche Television provided some insight into their plans for the market and which programming trends they see on the horizon for Eastern Europe.

VideoAge International: What are your plans for DISCOP?
Cesar Diaz: For DISCOP East, Venevision International, and its sales representatives, will continue to offer cost effective programming of superior quality and high production value. During this conference, we will build on old business relationships, while exploring new opportunities and ventures.
Prentiss Fraser: We’re excited to meet new and existing clients at the market and offer high-quality premium content starring talent previously seen in shows such as Californication, True Blood, X-Men, Heroes and 24.
Marine Ksadzhikyan: Our programming continues to do well and open up in Central and Eastern Europe. DISCOP gives us an opportunity to meet with key broadcasters we don’t get to see at MIP and MIPCOM.
VAI: What product will you be bringing to the market?
CD: Headlining our vast and varied proposal for DISCOP East are three new productions: a trio of novelas: Sacrificio de mujer (A Woman’s Sacrifice), Pecadora (Sinner), and Salvador de mujeres (Salvador: A Knockout Lover). The latter two have already proven themselves in territories throughout Latin America, while the first is still in production.
PF: E1 will be introducing new drama and comedy series such as Call Me Fitz, starring Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210). This hilarious half-hour comedy premieres in Canada Fall 2010 and has already been renewed for a second season by TMN, ahead of the premiere containing 13 episodes in each season. E1 will also be bringing new one-hour dramas, such as Rookie Blue, a primetime US Network drama series centered on a group of young hot cops fresh out of the academy premieres in the US on ABC during DISCOP (June 24).
MK: We’re bringing a catalogue of versatile and adaptable programming. We’re bringing The Dog Whisperer, which has a proven track record and airs in over 150 territories. We recently did a sale to Russia and hopefully that will be the first of many in the territory. The franchise is still going strong. Additionally, Tracey Morgan has agreed to be involved with Scare Tactics Season 4.
VAI: What territories will you be focusing on in particular?
CD: All territories within Central and Eastern Europe are viable markets. However we will focus much of our attention on such countries as Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary, and Poland.
PF: E1’s catalogue is suitable for broadcasters throughout the regions attending DISCOP. With the continued emergence of new channels in Central Eastern Europe and DTT platforms requiring content, we’re excited to be meeting new clients as well as continuing our business with current clients. At this market we’ll really be targeting free TV buyers throughout Eastern Europe.
MK: For us, all territories are equal all around the board. All of them are as important as the next one. From the Baltics to Russia and beyond.
VAI: Is there still a strong demand for telenovelas in Eastern Europe? Any other predictions for trends at the market?
CD: It’s safe to say that there is still a steady demand for telenovelas in Eastern Europe.  In the past years, however, we have also seen a strong demand for non-scripted formats as they continue to grow in popularity.
PF: The TV market in Central Eastern Europe is still developing and broadcasters have to offer a variety of content and channels to its viewers in order to maintain ratings against their competitors. With the increase of HD Channels, for example, and requirements for HD from broadcasters, E1’s pleased to offer the majority of the newest content all available in HD. Other trends and hot topics will likely include 3D programming and the shift from format purchase back to acquired content.
MK: Clip shows are number one. They provide great filler. Our catalogue is filled with them and they are really adaptable, especially for these regions. And the best part of them is they can actually be localized for a specific territory.

 

 

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June 02, 2010

DISCOP East Part II: The Road to Pest

An estimated 1,300 delegates will be gathering in the Pest part of Budapest June 23-25 for the 18th edition of DISCOP East. With the TV business in Eastern Europe showing signs of recovery after a difficult 2009, the market promises to be full of returning attendees and new faces alike. VideoAge caught up with a handful of market newbies and seasoned veterans to find out what to expect out of this year’s event, and whether the telenovela still reigns supreme in Central and Eastern Europe. For more complete DISCOP coverage, please see VideoAge’s June/July Issue, which will receive bonus distribution at the Budapest’s event.
           Guillermo Isturiz of Miami, Florida-based Latin Media will be at DISCOP for the first time, along with another first-timer, British format and light entertainment specialist, Hat Trick International, who will be attending with a viewing box. Director of Sales Sarah Tong explained: “Central and Eastern Europe is becoming more important to Hat Trick International as our programming has been selling very well in the region lately, and we also discussed the importance of DISCOP with other distributors, and the success they have historically had here, which is why we decided to come this year."
           Much the same reasoning has attracted China’s Fantawild Animation to DISCOP East for the very first time. “In the past,” explained Sales director Daisy Shang, “Our programming has sold mostly in Asia and the Middle East, but recently we have started to have success in the C.I.S. (the Commonwealth of Independent States, formerly the Soviet Union) and so we have decided to attend DISCOP East. It enjoys great popularity amongst the Eastern European content industry, and so it seemed to us to be the best place to develop long-term relationships in the region.”
           The appearance of new companies at a market is always a positive sign, and there are other indications that things might be looking up. 
           Axel Bohm, Regional Sales Director and International Fiction Acquisitions for Germany’s SevenOne accepted that the recession has had a big impact over the past 24 months, but insisted, “there are signs of improvement, several channels in Central and Eastern Europe are performing more strongly than last year, and the Russian ad market is definitely picking up again.” And while he is also adamant that, “There is definitely a demand for fresh ideas and high quality,” he went on to caution that, “Buyers, however, are quite risk-adverse in their choices, preferring to rely on shows with proven international track records. And they also want cost effective shows with reduced budgets, which is one reason why so many regional broadcasters are currently so keen on stripped shows.”
            Of course, telenovelas have been popular in the Central and Eastern Europe region for some time, reflecting the regional importance of the female audience. Bohm noted that, “The rollout of digital channels in countries such as The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Russia, has led to the launch of an increasing number of themed channels focusing on clear demographics, which, quite often is the female demographic.”
           This is a trend also noted by Joss Duffield, Program Sales Executive EMEA, at AETN, who notes “with the proliferation of new digital channels there is an increasing demand for female skewing programming, a demand which is very well met by the addition of the Lifetime programming to our catalogue.” And she also insisted that this process means, “We no longer regard Central and Eastern Europe as an emerging market.”

 

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