A year on from the Lehman Brothers collapse that has been adopted by the media as the official start of the recession, everyone is looking for indicators that recovery is on its way. But if sentiment about MIPCOM 2009 is anything to go by, the optimists’ bet on Q4 2009 as the turning point for the entertainment industry will hardly have the bookmakers quaking in their boots. Content and format providers are hastily amending their slates for MIPCOM with broadcasters’ budgetary … [Read more...] about Are we there yet?
MIPTV
Asian broadcasters pick up over 120 hours from NGTI
National Geographic Television International (NGTI) announced it has wrapped up a number of new deals in Asia, following discussions at MIPTV. Leland International in China has acquired just under 30 hours of programming for various regional channels in the territory. Among the package are National Geographic-produced shows such as Herod's Lost Tomb (1 x 52) and History's Secrets 3 (3 x 52) - launched at MipTV - as well as Moment of Death (1 x 52). PBS in Thailand has acquired 70 hours from … [Read more...] about Asian broadcasters pick up over 120 hours from NGTI
BBC Worldwide’s success at Cannes
BBC Worldwide Australia has concluded a number of deals with Australian and New Zealand networks following this year's MIPTV market. Christian the Lion (1 x 45'), purchased by the Seven Network, is the documentary film that tells the story of Australians John Randall and Ace Berg's emotional reunion with the lion they hand-raised after purchasing him from Harrods and then released back into the Kenyan wilds. Moonshot: Flight of Apollo 11 (1 x 90') has been licensed by BBC Worldwide Channels in … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide’s success at Cannes
Target Entertainment Group wraps MIPTV deals
London - Target Entertainment Group has finalised a number of deals for its key formats and finished shows, post MIPTV. Tool Academy (8x60'), the new entertainment format from VH1, in which the host tries to transform unfaithful boyfriends into husband material, has been sold to Nine Network and MTV in Australia, as well as Joongang in Korea. Jane Dockery, director of sales and programming at Target Entertainment Group said, "MIPTV was a good market for Target, despite the economic gloom. We … [Read more...] about Target Entertainment Group wraps MIPTV deals
BRICs and mortar
The region has witnessed a few ups and downs in my twelve years here, including the Asian economic crisis in 1997 when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) coughed up US$40 billion to stabilize some of the region’s currencies; and the SARS outbreak of 2002, when the World Health Organization advised against travel to, or within, much of Asia. In both cases these measures were taken to prevent these ‘Asian’ problems turning into global contagions. So questions are now being … [Read more...] about BRICs and mortar
AETN International wraps up MIPTV with strong global sales
New York - AETN International closed MIPTV 2009 with its strongest market ever, led by documentary special, 102 Minutes That Changed America, and the real-life series, Steven Seagal: Lawman. The global hit, Ice Road Truckers, which is a strong performer on the network across European territories, Latin America and Asia Pacific, has been licensed to a number of broadcasters across Europe, Canada and Asia-Pacific. In Asia, Jurassic Fight Club was licensed by Jin Zhou City TV in China for its … [Read more...] about AETN International wraps up MIPTV with strong global sales