Angie Yong, Senior Manager, Acquisitions, AETN All Asia Networks
“Heading into MIPTV, we are acquiring for our new channels Lifetime and H2 in addition to our existing channels, Bio and Crime & Investigation Network. Currently we are not in need of third party acquisitions for HISTORY. For Bio, we are seeking real-life, character driven series and for Lifetime we are focusing on female-skewing drama, TV movies, and reality series.
While character-driven, factual entertainment series remain important to our channels, the success of scripted (drama) on History in the US with Hatfields & McCoys, The Vikings, and The Bible is starting a new trend for factual channels.
The key challenge when buying content is the availability of good content (factual or scripted) that would appeal to an Asian audience. What resonates strongly with us is always a well prepared pitch where our channel requirements are understood well.”
Michael Dick, Head of Acquisitions, FOX International Channels (FIC)
“In 2013 our buying objectives remain similar to those of 2012 in that we are always looking for the very best content for each of our channel brands whether that be new cutting-edge documentaries and factual entertainment shows for National Geographic Channel (NGC), the latest series for our key general entertainment channels FOX and STAR World, or the biggest blockbusters for FOX Movies Premium.
We are also starting to invest in original productions made here in Asia for audiences in Asia so our 2013 slate and beyond will be a great mix of acquired and original content.
Budgets are always kept in mind when we are closing a deal but for us getting ground-breaking content across our distinct channel brands is equally important so we always try to be as innovative as possible to make sure that deals get done that work for all concerned.
Janice Cheng, Head of Content, LI TV Asia
Moving forward, the acquisition of content will need to include new media rights. For LI, we are now looking at content for both our linear channel and also SVOD offerings. We are also looking for reality-based prime time and magazine lifestyle shows. The title that always captures our interest is the medical talk show The Doctors; we recently began airing season 4 of the series. Other shows that have caught my eye belong to LI’s daily dedicated block for home series.
The lifestyle space is getting a lot more competitive compared to when we first started, thus making the buying more challenging, budget aside. Our existing list of suppliers will always be our first go-to stop to check for new releases for the upcoming markets. We are constantly adding on new partners to the list.
Virginia Lim, Vice President, Asian Content, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television
“SPT Networks, Asia’s Asian Content channels Animax and ONE continue to be on the lookout for the freshest and most exciting anime and Korean entertainment programming respectively. With anime series such as Naruto, HunterXHunter and Fairy Tail having done well, we are targeting new blockbuster titles that appeal across demographics for Animax.
We are also exploring expanding on Korean variety and lifestyle programming for ONE. It is important to time acquisitions to ensure that there is sufficient new content on air, yet not too much that ends up ‘sitting’ past its ‘freshness’ in our inventory. Our content partners have grown together with our channels and we hope to continue building upon our relationships.”
Vishnu Athreya, Executive Director, Programming, Acquisitions & Development, Turner International Asia Pacific Limited
“For our kids channels we’re looking for content that can reinforce our leadership position in each of key markets in the region; content with new ideas that break through the clutter. With the addition of Toonami and Cartoonito to Turner’s stable, we now have an expanded portfolio of brands in Asia so the genres we look at are even more diverse than in previous years.
Cartoon Network continues to be about fun, surprising kids and making them laugh. So our acquisitions strategy has been to locate best-in-class, character- and story-driven comedies with the potential to become long-term franchises.
For Toonami, we will be seeking partnerships on new titles that display a real edge. Meanwhile, for our younger viewers of Cartoonito, we’ll be keeping an eye out for pedigree preschool titles.”
Tan Sian Ju, Vice President, MTV & Comedy Central Brands, Viacom International Networks Asia
“We continue to look at acquiring a good mix of quality titles covering multiple genres from both the Western and the Asian regions that we think have the potential to appeal to a broad audience across Asia.
We actively search for comedy that encompasses sitcoms, satires, sketches, standup, slapstick/physical comedies and talk shows, among others. While sitcoms and physical comedy/gag shows will always be the perennial favourites, given a good cast and a solid script, stand-up comedy in Asia seems to be going through resurgence in popularity.
Securing multi-platform rights to meet the needs of today’s tech-savvy viewers is one constraint. Content exclusivity and sourcing for suitable content for Asia that we think will rate at the best possible price in order to stay ahead of competitors are constraints as well. While we value our relationships, securing suitable content at the best price and terms for the channel remains our priority when it comes to buying decisions.”
