Christine Fellowes, Managing Director, Asia Pacifi c, Universal Networks International
Wish 1 “There are so many things that I wish for this year. Firstly I want us to take on a lot bigger distribution – bigger distribution in Japan especially! We have the Universal Channel there which is really growing well and there’s a few very interesting distribution opportunities happening in that market, exciting stuff!”
Wish 2 “Second, and I have to premise this with saying be careful what you wish for, but launching our business in India is also a big priority for us this year. We certainly have an appetite for investment and India is clearly on our radar and with all the major changes going on we’ve got some brands that would be really right for that market. ”
Wish 3 “I think my other wish will be for the Asian regional market in general. I really wish advertisers and media buyers become more informed about the opportunities in PayTV here. It’s surprising to me that in many markets in Asia, media buyers have been slow to recognise the value in a spend on subscription-based tele. The opportunties in the market for value, creative opportunties and targeted audiences advertisers can get in PayTV cannot be found in terrestrial. Buying mass market is sooooo last decade and just not cost effective.”
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Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO, August Media Holdings
Wish 1 “Nowadays for kids’ content, unless there is a strong transmedia strategy, market success is likely to be limited. When I was a kid, wanting something interactive (Monopoly was as good as it got) – I was told to clean my bedroom. I wish this year, parents understand that real character can be built by not allowing your child to be subject to peer wrath from not owning that latest paid app!!”
Wish 2 “The advent of mainstream HD broadcast has managed to change the language and art of TV production. Similarly 3D Stereoscopic has given rise to a whole new style of storytelling. But I wish there would be a law against bad 3D content punishable by 100 hours of compulsory fi lm school attendance! Producers need to understand that mainstream 3D TV is still far away. Those who make us wear those clunky 3D glasses in vain need to understand that 3D titles sell for their content and not temporary vision impairment. ”
Wish 3 “All of us in the kids’ business spend most of our waking time in discussions to fi nd the right co-production partner. The right broadcast partner, the right studio partner, the list goes on. The beauty of all these discussions is that they are always driven by a single human virtue – disproportionate greed. In 2012 I wish there’d be a club of honourable gentlefolk co-producers who promise to bring up the equitable deal right away – leaving less time for discussions and more for beer. ”
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Rajesh Sheshadri, Vice President, Territory Head – Fox International Channels
Wish 1 “I see progress being made in the evolution of PayTV channels and networks from being a pan-regional international service to becoming a multi-market local service. I wish to see consumers, operators and advertisers really taking advantage of this trend as it offers them so much value. For consumers, it means they have access to channels that resonate with their local ethos and cultures. For operators, this translates into having a bouquet of channels and services that compete with the terrestrial channels. ”
Wish 2 “The theft of content through virtual and real forms will ultimately make the content and affi liated industries unviable. My wish is that 2012 will be a year when we as an industry come together to tackle this issue more thoroughly. I hope to see providers developing more anywhere/anyhow/anytime content consumption options to counter the threat of OTT services. ”
Wish 3 “The PayTV business has been relatively sheltered from many of the global fi nancial uncertainties of late. Maybe wishing away all the fi nancial problems in the world is too much to ask for but I hope that the PayTV industry in Asia will live up to its true potential and we’ll all have a great 2012! ”
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Aubeck Kam, Chief Executive, Media Development Authority of Singapore
Wish 1 “First off; better scripts! It’s something that makes such an impact and a great script can truly make a difference to a production and its value. Writers in the region need to be recognised more for their talents and contribution to creative projects. ”
Wish 2 “Second would be a call for better collaboration between creative professionals. Producers need to be more knowledgeable about what the writers are doing, writers need to be more involved in the production, composers and musicians also need to be involved more. Getting your fi nal product up and done is such a collective endeavour and so the most successful ones will be the companies that work closely with the best people and to all contribute to the project. ”
Wish 3 “Lastly, better commercial discipline. Think about the business of the content from the start. Don’t be too rosy-eyed about passion and let it get in the way of the business. Not wanting to sound like I don’t favour the creative process but the fi nancial people also play a role and can do a lot for a project. Just make the programme work across the board. ”
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Michele Schofield, VP Programming and Production, AETN All Asia Networks
Wish 1 “My number one wish for this year is that we produce a breakout hit out of Asia. We’re really focusing on this currently and looking for talent that really resonates with our brand and sits on our brands. A breakout hit to me is the kind of show that does for us on a local level that Pawn Stars is doing for us. If I can get a local show to bring in such a strong broad audience that would awesome! ”
Wish 2 “I hope that HD becomes a platform that a lot more consumers start to subscribe to and it really becomes the norm when viewing channels. That’s what we’re really aiming at this year, to deliver all of our channels in Asia in HD – that’s a very big project for us and hopefully all ready by Q3.”
Wish 3 “Hmmmm, for my third wish…I hope we continue to strengthen the team at AETN and build on our successes this year and bring more great people onboard as we grow. I also hope the ageing clock stops and that I get a new headshot that can last many years from now. ”
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Nicola Söderlund, President, Sparks Network
Wish 1 “Number one wish for 2012 is to have a worldwide hit with one of our formats. It could be one of our current shows or it may not even be created yet but we’re really pushing to have a show that goes all around the world for us. Today, it’s a global village and you can never be sure where the next big idea will come from. ”
Wish 2 “I really hope that our network expands further. In Asia particularly as it’s been a big focus for us in the past year. Currently we are representing eight content makers in the region but there’s defi nitely room for more! We used to talk about territories, now we just talk about languages. There’s a lot of spill over in Asia and great potential to work with content partners there.”
Wish 3 “We’ve had great success last year with Ezel, a Turkish drama based on the Count of Monte Christo – most recently we sold it to VTV in Vietnam.Turkish drama is the next big thing. I would so love to be in the next one – I used to be an actor you know! ”
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Myleeta Aga, General Manager & Creative Head, BBC Worldwide Productions – India
Wish 1 “My number one wish would be to have another big hit format, similar to our success last year with Dancing With the Stars. I’d love to do the same with Tonight’s the Night, a big fantastic programme to be involved with plus it has a positive message, lots of entertainment and really compelling human stories. I think audiences in India would love it and they’re ready for such a programme. ”
Wish 2 “Wish two is a long-shot wish but It would be fantastic to have something made in India that travels. Talent is getting there and my philosophy around television production is that it’s the ultimate team sport, fantastic on screen talent, producers and technicians is never enough, it has to be the coming together of the best, and so we’re working towards this to get a global hit made in India. ”
Wish 3 “To double our wins at the next Asian Television Awards! And for me personally I think it would be wonderful to maintain the success we’ve had and bring new talent along with us. That would be a great wish to come true.”
