Gan Ling Sze Head of Content Sales, Asia, AETN International

Asian markets are still very much glued to the genre of staged competitions, in the format similiar to Pop Idol and You Have Got Talent.

While some channels will buy such formats, others are producing their own. Soap drama still tops the rating charts throughout Asia, and Korean drama is everywhere. However, there are signs that Taiwanese dramas led by young, attractive actors and actresses are gaining appeal among audience here. In addition, a few big budget period dramas from China are gaining strength in the region.

AETN International has had a lot of success with several programs across the entertainment, history and biography genres. Criss Angel Mindfreak, which takes viewers behind the scenes as illusionist Criss Angel prepares his mind-boggling demonstrations, has been very successful in the region. In addition, our epic historymdocumentaries like Rome: Engineering an Empire and True Caribbean Pirates have done well. These programs are shot in HD and feature dramatic re-enactments and CGI. Finally, our award-winning series Biography is one of our most sought after programs.

Saralo MacGregor Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Distribution, Fireworks International

Buyers continue to seek out quality programming, as always, for the traditional broadcast arenas, but we are currently engaged in far more discussions involving new media, such as all forms of VOD, mobile, EST, download to own models, etc., than ever before. Our series as well as our newlyacquired short-form programming, Heavy and the Mondo Mini Shows, lend themselves to exhibition across all platforms. In anticipation of expansion in this area, we are actively pursuing additional programming that would be appropriate for all content platforms.

We soft-launched new romantic crime drama, Blood Ties at NATPE and exposed it more broadly at MIPTV earlier this year. Since then, sales of this engaging supernatural crime drama have been brisk. At MIPCOM we are launching JPod, a wildly original, darkly humorous series based on the bestselling book JPod by Douglas Coupland. The series revolves around five co-workers known as the Podsters, employees of the colossal video game company Neotronic Arts, who are put together in a team dubbed JPod. It is a new look at relationships in the electronic age. We will also have a second season of our popular tween comedy series Young Dracula from the CBBC.

Martha Contreras International Sales Representative, Asia, Comarex

IPTV, mobile and home video are the new markets open for our programming, especially our series. We encountered the need to provide special editions of our most successful telenovelas which are now in the Latin American, European and American markets and we look forward to introducing them into Asia this year. Our reality show format La Academia keeps delivering good results and 2007 saw the company closing many new seasons of this great format.

Raphael Correa Netto International Sales Director, Globo TV

We believe there will be a search for serial programming. With the entrance of digital TV and the creation of new channels, there will be a stronger demand for high quality programming to support these new windows and different platforms.

In the past 12 months, we made important deals in Asia. After a series of studies and contacts with potential partners in Asia, Globo TV International reopened the Chinese market for Globo productions. The telenovela Shades of Sin is planned to premiere in October 2007 in China and has a potential reach of around 1 billion people. A special edition of Rio's Carnival was sold to Korea and Japan in 2006. Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam bought children's program Pirlimpimpim. The deal with Indonesia was for telenovelas with exhibition rights of The Clone, Women in Love and Terra Nostra sold. In the next 12 months, we will broaden our priorities as besides the above mentioned countries, we will have a special look at China, Malaysia and Singapore.

Ross Pollack Senior Vice President, Distribution, Sony Pictures Television International

US series are making a comeback in Asia and regional buyers are looking for the next big thing - series with big Hollywood names and pedigree. New media platforms continue to grow and buyers for those platforms are asking for content that will help brand and differentiate their service.

SPTI's series The Tudors became the highest-rated imported program on CH. CGV in Korea so far this year and won the Runner-Up Award for Best Miniseries at the recent Seoul Drama Awards. The premiere of the series also garnered record ratings for cable and it was the only English language series to be nominated in the Best Miniseries category. Our upcoming series include Damages, a thrilling series starring Glenn Close, which debuted in July on F/X. We also have two new well-known anime series, Kabutoborg VxV and Gallery Fake. In addition, we are distributing the format rights to Power of 10, a US primetime game show that has proven to be a ratings winner for CBS this summer.

Ganesh Rajaram Sales Director, Asia, FremantleMedia Enterprises

such there's more room for niche content that suits particular tastes and needs. Lifestyle programming is also in demand, along with our super brands like American Idol, America's Got Talent, Project Runway and Jamie Oliver which are always popular. There are also evergreen brands like the Mr Bean franchise that continue to flourish in Asia.

Our big brands like American Idol, America's Got Talent, Project Runway, Janice Dickinson, Jamie Oliver, Martha, Nigel Marven, our continuing franchises and all their associated shows have done tremendously well and have traveled successfully to most parts of Asia. New shows like Love You To Death,with John Waters, Live from Abbey Road and our stable of high end factual and lifestyle programming, headed by a new show, Kylie Kwong: My China, are all continuing to be extremely successful. Watch this space for more new and exciting shows to be unveiled soon.

Sabrina Toledo Vice President, Sales and Marketing, CABLEready

The demand for lifestyle programming has never been greater. Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Korea have an increased appetite for TV programs about home design, cooking, fashion, etc. As a result, we've had recent success with all of our Lifestyle, Travel, and Entertainment titles in particular. Our TV Guide Network collection covers all lifestyle subgenres and has gotten a lot of attention with the recent addition of weekly entertainment series The Fashion Team.

This has been a huge year for two of our fastpaced HD factual series, Risk Takers and Accident Investigator. Both are fast-paced as Risk Takers looks at the most dangerous jobs on the planet and Accident Investigator uses cutting-edge forensics to find out how and why deathly collisions occur. At

MIPCOM we'll also be introducing a collection of controversial and action-packed non-fiction specials that we call The Power Pack. They cover a myriad of topics ranging from China's one-child policy in Brat Camp China to Mumbai's devastating flood last year in Mumbai Mega Flood, to plastic surgery becoming viewed as a casual affair rather than a medical procedure in Trading Faces and much more.

John Morris President, Distribution, EM.Entertainment

Educational programs continue to be a priority for the Asian markets, with age-appropriate formats for the one to three year-old age group and educational language programs for pre-schoolers. In addition, high-quality non-violent children's programming is important, and as a result the need for action/ comedy series tailored to older age groups such as the sci-fi/comedy Dogstar continues to be on the rise. Edutainment series such as Marvi Hämmer presents National Geographic World, an entertaining, bilingual knowledge show for children with original footage from National Geographic, or VIPO, a pre-school program teaching children about different countries, cities, people and traditions is en vogue amongst Asian audiences. The company's hottest and promising title for the future is the 3D/2D animation action, adventure and comedy series Master Raindrop.

Terry Mak Executive Vice President, Distribution & TV Networks, Celestial Pictures

The HD trend in the West is happening in Asia now. We foresee an increase in demand for high definition (HD) content from pay TV and free-to-air broadcasters in Asia.We believe the HD market has a huge potential especially in the areas of sports and movies. Celestial Pictures has recently completed re-mastering more than 100 renowned Shaw Brothers movies in HD format. These include The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, The Five Venoms, The Flying Guillotine and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. These Shaw martial arts classics in HD presenting breathtaking kung fu action in the best visual quality will definitely be the new favorites for home entertainment.

Adam Wakeling Deputy head of Sales, 3DD Entertainment

Not surprisingly, we are finding the dominant growth area to be in VOD platforms and for mobile content. There is also still a real growth in demand for HD content now, with requests coming in for programmes shot in native HD or upconverted from original film format. We have had a real growth in demand for live concerts, of which the most popular have been in our slate of A list artists and music series e.g. Coldplay, Robbie Williams, London Live and Later… with Jools Holland. There has also been a flurry of demand for classic stars from the 60's and 70's and we have also noticed an upsurge in interest in our London Live music series, with the BBC Asia broadcast which has seemingly targeted savvy young Southeast Asians.

Christine Fellowes Managing Director, Asia Pacific, E! Networks

There has been a significant spike overall in demand for niche programming for the many new digital channels that are launching in the region. Our programming brands such as G4, The Style Network, Golf Channel and E! Entertainment appeal to high value demographics that have not been fully catered to in the past. More platforms are interested in ancillary rights including video on demand (NVOD, FVOD, SVOD) and mobile. Signature programming from E! Entertainment, E! News continues to be one of our most sought after programs around the region. E!'s newest collaboration with Forbes Magazine for hits such as

Forbes Celebrity 100: Who Made Bank and Forbes: 20 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings have proven very attractive to both free-toair and pay TV buyers. The Girls of the Playboy Mansion series, entering its fourth season later this year, has been a breakout hit in many markets.

Vanessa Goglio Vice President, International Sales, MarVista Entertainment

With the fast growing pace of the internet and the speed of communication, we have experienced a globalization of content and the potential for earlier awareness of American content around the world. The Asian marketplace is part of this globalization and Asia is looking for more and more American content. Our MTV Networks co-produced series Beyond the Break is in its second season in the U.S., and continues to be a very strong asset. In Asia, Beyond the Break has been licensed to Star World. At MIPCOM we're launching hot new high school movie Taking 5, a comedy about two teen idol worshippers who kidnap a famous boy band, starring Christy Carlson Romano, Daniella Monet, Alona Tal and Kate Albrecht. We also have a fantastic Christmas movie, The Secret of the Nutcracker, featuring Brian Cox.

Grace Chan Director, Program Financing and Distribution, Asia Pacific, Discovery Communications

The demand for HD content is increasing as more broadcasters start to offer HD channels and blocks. Discovery is committed to producing the highest quality high-definition programming and will be offering more than 100 hours of HD content at MIPCOM including Atlas, the flagship series that spans the globe to explore some of the world's most fascinating countries with unprecedented depth, including China, Australia, Italy and Brazil and new installments in production focusing on India, Mexico and South Africa.

Consumer interest in environmental issues has led to an increased demand for programs on global warming and natural disasters such as Could It Happen Here? The upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing are creating a demand for programs on China, including Man Made Marvels China, which explores aweinspiring landmarks; China Fast Forward, a series that explores the sweeping changes shaping the country; and Ultimate Olympics, which will serve as the ultimate behind-thescenes guide to Beijing and the games. Discovery also continues to deliver popular reality series that deliver immersive and engaging real world experiences such as Deadliest Catch and American Chopper.

Ron Alexander Director of International Sales, TPI

We are finding an increased demand for travel and lifestyle series, particularly with an international focus. Some of our customers prefer host-driven series while others prefer more narration-driven product. At TPI, we have a very diverse mix of hosted and non-hosted. Over the past year, our series Roar of the Wild has been doing very well in the international market.

At MIPCOM, we are introducing a package of 12 new series from European production house Arcadia Entertainment. The series are narrationdriven with no on-camera host and include onehour shows, half-hour shows and short subject matter perfect for filler or mobile media. Terra Mystica takes viewers to the most 'mystical' locations on earth ranging from Stonehenge in England to Peru's Machu Picchu. Modern Times Wonders is an exploration of the world's greatest contemporary monuments. And Global Treasures is a journey around the world to the most protected historical palaces from the Cambodia's Angkor Wat to the Acropolis in Greece.

Patrick Elmendorff General Manager, Studio100 Media N.V. & Co. KG

Currently the emerging trends within the Asian markets are 3D animation shows that have high production values, are character driven and have educational elements i.e. 'edutainment' shows for pre-schoolers which enrich learning and at the same time entertain and offer strong visual storytelling. Shows that have been successful so far include: Bumba the Clown (150 x 5') a pre-school live action/CGI animation about a clown who lives in a circus with his friends. The House of Anubis, Season I (114 x 12'), is a live action mystery teen soap featuring a group of teenagers who live together in a secondary school boarding house. Our hottest show is pre-school puppetry series Big & Small, (52 x 11'), currently in production. It is coproduced by YTV, BBC and Studio100, written by Kathy Waugh, executive produced by Anne Brogan, and designed by Paul Andrecjo.

Xavier Aristimuno VP Sales & International Business Development Asia, Telemundo Internacional

Proven successful formats of Latin novellas, reality and games have also generated high demand for their local adaptation. Major terrestrial broadcasters, and many new players within the digital media landscape, are searching for the right Latin drama for the correct time slot. Digital platforms, from cable, to IPTV, to VOD and Mobile, have matured in the region and their penetration rates are constantly increasing.

In Asia, Hidden Passion, Second Chance, The Storm and Looking for Dad have been our most successful novelas recently aired in Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China. We closed new deals including Marina and Zorro in the Philippines and China. In Indonesia currently enjoying the overwhelming success of My Teen Dream, we are in negotiations for Zorro. In Korea and Japan, we are working on our most successful titles for diverse digital platforms. Our reality format, My Teen Dream has seen much interest from Asian broadcasters and we are developing a strategy to have two of our most successful productions air in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Rate This Article

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Quite Good
Poor

  Rate This Article

Related Stories

Achie Francia-Munar joins MEC Indonesia - 30/8/2010

Jakarta - MEC announced that Achie Francia-Munar has been appointed executive director MEC Indonesia. Francia-Munar will oversee the agency product to MEC's key clients and lead MEC Trading for Ind [...]

Televisa Internacional at MIPCOM 2010 - 30/8/2010

Televisa Internacional will be bringing a number of their telenovelas to the MIPCOM market in October. These include Teresa, Timeless Love, Marriage Diaries, as well as Dream of Me. Marriage Diarie [...]

AXN unveils contestants of The Amazing Race Asia Season 4 - 30/8/2010

Singapore - Set to premiere on AXN on 23 September 2010, The Amazing Race Asia Season 4 showcases the ultimate engagement as the new racers from across Asia set out to prove their mettle, bringing th [...]