THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF FILM, BROADCASTING, BROADBAND, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION JUNE/JULY 2012 VOL. 32 NO. 4 $9.75 In This Issue: Risks & Rewards Jane Fonda, Again Perennial Challenges L.A. Screenings Review ® www.videoage.org

NATPE To Energize In September, Italians Keep Budapest’s TV Market Int’l Film-TV Execs Captive Venice Film Fest, Prix Italia, Roma Fiction Fest BY SARA ALESSI eptember is becoming an Roma Fiction Fest, which will be held in ATPE’s board finally appointed Rod Perth president and CEO of the important month for the the central part of Italy from September venerable U.S. TV market organizer last month (see World section), Italian entertainment sector 30 to October 5. after conducting a search to replace outgoing CEO Rick Feldman that thanks to a number of film One could even call this trifecta of lasted a month longer than anticipated. and TV trade events. (Continued on Page 22) The announcement couldn’t The have been timelier, with NATPE multimedia Biarritz Makes TV Biz Budapest now upon us. (When slateS of bazaars starts in the NATPEN acquired full control of DISCOP East Northeast with the 69th Ritzy For French TV in June 2011 the market was renamed NATPE annual Venice Film Festival, Budapest). Now the million-dollar question is: an 11-day event that ends he 18th annual iteration of Le Rendez- Will changes at the NATPE organization — with Sept. 8. The film festival is Vous, the French programming event its new CEO and a new market to run — impact followed by the 6th annual sponsored by the Paris-based TV France the event in any way? VideoAge checked in with Prix Italia television festival, International (TVFI) association, will NATPE and exhibitors alike to find out. which takes place in the return to Biarritz, France September 9-13 at the Espace Bellevue Convention Center, northwest city of Turin, Most NATPE Budapest exhibitors were the same location as last year. enthusiastic about their futures work with Sept. 16-21. The “Prix” will (Continued on Page 20) Rod Perth, NATPE’s new CEO precede another event, the T (Continued on Page 16)

When Content Is UbiQuitous

BY LUCY COHEN BLATTER

elevision viewers worldwide have made it clear that they want to access programming across myriad digital devices. But until now there has never been an international market dedicated solely to these new formsT of entertainment deliveries. Enter UbiQ, the first international Digital Entertainment Showcase, taking place June 18-19 in Paris, France. The event, which will be held in the city’s landmark Palais Brongniart (site of the former stock exchange) will “spotlight the best of digital entertainment — content creation, business case studies and winning strategies to engage with audiences and maximize ROI across all digital platforms — Internet, mobile, IPTV, connected TV, tablets and social media,” according to a release. “‘Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device (ATAWAD)’ now fully defines consumer expectations as well as media and advertiser obligations,” said Gwénaël Flatres, CEO of UbiQ Events, and former

(Continued(Continued on on Page Page 44) 18) From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show® is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways.

SAVE THE DATE 2013 CONFERENCES April 6–11 EXHIBITS April 8–11 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada USA

www.nabshow.com ONTENTSVIDEO AGE • No.4 • June 201 2

Cover stories: 10. L.A. Screenings Review. Nets happy, NATPE to energize Budapest’s studios content, buyers exhausted TV market without DISCOP but ecstatic

When content is UbiQuitous. New digital TV market opens in Paris in September

C Italians keep international film-TV execs captive with Venice Film Fest, Prix Italia Risk and reward have to make and Roma Fiction Fest 14. a fine balance in TV schedules Le Rendez-Vous: Biarritz makes biz ritzy for French television

24. Prix Italia 2012: Activities and schedules. Plus, NBCUniversal Global Networks Italia’s channel highlights

4. World. U.S. (Cable Wi-Fi, ICM, 26. Panini’s Licensing Machine ad-skipper NATPE), Hungary

28. Travel, conference news and calendar of events

8. Book Review. Jane Fonda and the creation 30. My 2¢: Challenges never go away of a new Hollywood: Stardom with a cause Additionally, Comcast revealed a based on outdoor sports magazine number of other ventures, including an Outside, on its systems in cities such as app allowing people to use gestures to Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Portland and control their TVs. The cable operator San Francisco as part of a specialty tier of has been working on making hand-held sports and lifestyle channels. devices like iPhones and iPads function NATC chief, Michael Powell, a former as remote controls, and now an iPhone chairman of the FCC, the U.S. regulatory can be used as a remote control, and the agency, warned that the government keypad can be used to search for content should not over-regulate the Internet by title as part of Comcast’s X1 cloud- because it is a developing industry. Cox, announced they’re joining forces enabled TV platform, which stores MSOs Team content in a virtual file. The service will However, there is some concern among on a Wi-Fi initiative. This venture would media watchdogs that the absence of allow the cable companies’ respective launch on Comcast’s Boston systems Up for Wi-Fi before reaching the rest of the U.S. government oversight or weak oversight subscribers to access Wi-Fi in “public hot could lead cable and phone companies Another endeavor is Comcast’s Project t the National Cable and spots,” even if they are in an area that is that deliver broadband to have an Dayview service, which can transform Telecommunications not served by their local cable provider. advantage over other services. TVs into virtual planners featuring Association Convention Increasingly, cable companies have meeting schedules, TV schedules, (NATC), which was held been offering their customers free Wi-Fi emails and traffic reports. Project last month in Boston, several in public areas Aoutside DREAM the SIGNEDhome via Dayview works on TVs, laptops, tablets major U.S. cableEGYPTIAN TV firms, OASES their mobile devices. In fact, the cable Ad-Skipper Flares ROGER FEDERER and smartphones. Finally, Comcast including Comcast(DOCUMENTARIES) Corp., 6 companiesx 12’ - 1 x 35’ taking part in this initiative announced that it inked a deal to carry CASH(DOCUMENTARIES) 25’ U.S. Broadcasters TimeA Warner Cable, Cablevision and already have over 50,000 hot spots. Outside Television, a cable network ish Network’s new Auto Hop feature, which allows its U.S. satellite TV subscribers to skip advertisements while watching recorded broadcast TV shows, is ruffling feathers at the major U.S. broadcast Programs Dnetworks, and FOX Broadcasting, NBCUniversal and CBS Corp. have sued the satellite company. Although pay-TV subscribers with digital video recorders are already able to fast-forward through commercials, Auto Hop goes one step further: Dish customers can record primetime programming for later viewing, and during commercial SinestesiaSinestesia breaks, the screen blacks out, with the A film by Erik Bernasconi program returning within seconds. The service is only offered for primetime "Sinestesia" chronicles the vicissitudes of four young adults in broadcast programming, not for cable two moments of their lives which are in turn linked to two programming, nor can it be used for live dramatic episodes three years apart. The intervening years see broadcast shows such as sports events. the characters confronted by the usual joys and difficulties of everyday life. However, they also find themselves having to The networks claim that the ad-skipping react to a destiny which, every now and again, places a cross- feature violates copyrights and, according roads in our way. to a statement from FOX is, “destroying the fundamental underpinnings of the broadcast television ecosystem.” Although not all of Dish Network’s 14 million subscribers have access to Auto Hop, TV executives are worried the service could adversely impact their business model by Fiction - 2010 - 1h30’ keeping them from being able to charge 16/9 High definition premiums for their commercial time. Coproduction: Imagofilm - The service was rolled out on May 10, RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera around the time broadcasters began their negotiations with advertisers over the sale of commercial time for the 2012- Our complete catalogue 2013 TV season. on rsi.ch/sales FOX, NBC and CBS filed their suits in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, while Dish Network countered with its own suit against FOX, NBC, CBS and Documentaries ABC (which is expected to join the other Swiss Television broadcast nets) in U.S. District Court Fiction Sales Office in New York. Dish does not believe Auto Hop violates any laws and is not Children CH 6903 Lugano convinced it will “substantially change Entertainment Switzerland Tel. +41 91 803 54 82 established consumer behavior.” Classical Music Fax +41 91 803 57 25 Years ago, the broadcast networks sued Jazz - Pop - Rock salesoffi[email protected] a similar service, ReplayTV, and won on copyright infringement grounds.

(Continued on Page 6) 4 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

Hungária’s FTA service MinDig TV is now more than 210,000 subscribers, or 22 core business (film, TV, publishing and available in over 300,000 homes with seven percent of satellite homes. T-Home has touring) are now partners of the 400-person channels. Its pay-TV counterpart MinDig 28 percent and the rest are shared between firm, which was renamed ICM Partners. TV Extra has over 63,000 subscribers for Hello HD and Magyar Telekom, which is The buyout plan began after a group its 24 channels. also making significant strides in its rollout of senior agents led by president Chris Hungary’s pay sector is made up of of interactive services, like DTH platform Silbermann demanded a new ownership a large number of local and regional Interactive Sat TV, which launched last structure, allowing the agents to control cable operators (more than 400) and December. their business and reinvest profits to rebuild (Continued from Page 4) a few larger operators (UPC Hungary, the agency, which has been struggling. Fibernet, and T-Kabel) and by the end of ICM Agents Rizvi Traverse Management acquired Digital TV 2010, 20 percent of the country’s cable controlling interest in ICM for over households were already digital. Get Trophy $75 million in 2005. The next year, In Hungary Last September, 46 percent of UPC’s the firm invested another $70 million so that ICM could acquire TV agency 619,200 subscribers were digital. In op agents at Los Angeles- powerhouse Broder Webb Chervin November 2010 the number of cable based International Creative he Hungarian transition to Silbermann, which improved ICM’s households of Magyar Telekom was Management (ICM), one of digital broadcasting should be financial position. However, the merger almost 312,000. Hollywood’s leading agencies, complete by October 2013, but put a strain on the corporate culture, in reality the actual completion The Hungarian market is also served by completed a buyout of the firm several satellite packagers with a total of which led to the buyout. date is still unknown. from longtime chairman and five operators serving some 840,000 homes CEO Jeff Berg and Michigan- According to a statement released by the However, Hungary’s digital with Digi TV the market leader with about based private equity firm Rizvi Traverse new partners, Rizvi Traverse and Berg sold TV industry is faring very well. T their equity interest “for a combination of 43 percent of subscribers. UPC owns the Management. Twenty-nine agents InT the DTTVIDEO sector, AGE FULLPAGE.ai for 1 07/06/2012example, 09:18:50 a.m. Antenna satellite platform UPC Direct, which has representing a cross-section of the firm’s cash, preferred non-voting shares and an ongoing interest in certain assets of the company.” Although he plans to remain with the agency, Berg will relinquish his board seat and management role. The new partners include Chris Silbermann, Ted Chervin, Kevin Crotty, Chris von Goetz, Eddy Yabians, Richard Levy, Greg Lipstone, Sloan Harris, Robert Broder and Michael Kagan. ICM has a powerful lineup in scripted and non-scripted TV, representing top producers and international TV formats such as Chuck Lorre, Shonda Rhimes, and Studio Lambert/Undercover Boss. Plus, the firm represents talent such as Al Pacino, Ellen DeGeneres, Megan Fox and Josh Hutcherson.

NATPE’s New CEO: Rod Perth

early a month after former

C president and CEO Rick

M Feldman left his post (after Y nine years), U.S. TV industry CM executive Rod Perth was MY

CY named the new president

CMY and CEO of NATPE. The K LosN Angeles-based association’s co-chairs Jordan Levin and Chris Grant made the announcement in late May. As president and CEO of NATPE, Perth will be in charge of a senior management team consisting of six direct reports and a total staff of 20 people. He will report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. Prior to joining the non-profit organization, Perth was president of RHP Media Consulting. Before that, he was co-founder and president of Television for the ReelzChannel TV Network. In addition, he was president of Jim Henson Television Worldwide and president of USA Network Entertainment. Perth started his career at CBS Television Station Group and subsequently ran late-night programming for the CBS Television Network. He has served as a board member at Marvel and CNET network, part of CBS interactive. He’s also an adjunct professor at Los Angeles-based USC’s Film School.

6 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

to sit on the antiaircraft gun. Bosworth writes, “Somehow she didn’t understand that the North Vietnamese would use Book Review her radio spots for propaganda purposes.” However, just two pages later, the author downplays the impact of Fonda’s radio addresses in what seems like an attempt to redeem her. This underscores how Jane Fonda Creates a important it is for readers to consider Bosworth’s connection to Fonda and any underlying motives she might have for New Hollywood: writing the book. The author provides necessary Stardom With a Cause background information about the men and the political and social atmosphere of nyone even remotely depression and passivity on my part.’” important periods in her life so that we familiar with Jane Fonda Fonda moved from Voutsinas into better understand Fonda. This is particularly would never dream of the arms of her first husband, the much valuable when it comes to the infamous calling her a “Plain Jane.” older French director Roger Vadim, who The American actress, transformed her into a sex symbol, and Hanoi Jane incident, which generated a sex symbol and political with whom she had a daughter, Vanessa. backlash among the American public that activist has worn many Despite the difficulties that came along adversely impacted her career. Bosworth’s Ahats, and she may even try on a few with their open marriage and sexual prose flows like a novel, engaging readers and more to round out her multifaceted and experimentation, Fonda recalls Vadim making them feel as if they are personally fascinating life. fondly: “‘[he] helped me move out from involved in Fonda’s life. Though nine biographies on Fonda under my father’s shadow.’” But what have already been published, journalist- she didn’t seem to realize at the time was Bosworth argues that Fonda heralded biographer Patricia Bosworth is the first that she allowed him to control her. For the advent of celebrity advocacy because woman to publish one, and her 2011 instance, despite her aversion to the role, “More than any other star, Jane was book is even more unique because many she starred in Barbarella (1968) upon responsible for the creation of a new of the stories found on its pages have never Vadim’s bidding. political Hollywood where no career before been shared with the public. In But Fonda grew restless and bored with could be complete without a cause.” Jane Fonda: The Private Life of a Public merely being a movie star. With America But she also wonders what would have Woman (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, in turmoil over the war in Vietnam, become of Fonda’s career had she focused 600 pages, $30.00), Bosworth explores political activism — particularly antiwar her incredible energy solely on her acting, the many personas Fonda has morphed demonstrations — was an attractive new rather than stretching herself among into over the years, revealing insight into direction that drew her away from Vadim Gloria in 1969’s They Shoot Horses, Don’t the multitalented actress’s life through and Vanessa, and eventually led her to her acting and numerous causes. One They? many years later. Her father was no seven years of research and interviews with her second husband, antiwar activist/ repercussion: because of her politics, current and former friends, family and better at providing a nurturing childhood. politician Tom Hayden. She was inspired Fonda lamented that she did not receive She doesn’t remember him showing her Fonda herself (Fonda even gave Bosworth by Hayden and felt he was someone who many viable script offers during the early affection or praise, and Bosworth notes access to her FBI files). could teach her about devoting herself to 1970s, and it’s widely believed that she that she was constantly trying to catch Bosworth argues that throughout a cause. But their marriage ended after his attention and find a father figure over lost the Oscar for Best Actress for They her “serial life,” Fonda has had many about 16 years due to his infidelities and the years because “all her life, Jane longed Shoot Horses, Don’t They? due to her personalities and has become many verbal cruelties. to connect with him and blamed herself intense antiwar activities. After all, for personas: actress, movie star, sex symbol, Vanessa and Troy (Fonda’s son with when she couldn’t.” She even became an Bosworth, and perhaps other fans as political activist, workout guru and Hayden) weren’t happy when their actress because she felt closer to her father well, “she is far more compelling as Bree tycoon wife. Many of her identities mother began dating media tycoon when she was acting, and hoped this have been tied to a man, beginning with Ted Turner because, “Once again Daniels [in Klute] than she ever was as would help them bond. her father, Henry Fonda. The portrait she’d chosen a powerful, opinionated Hanoi Jane.” Bosworth posits, “If she’d Bosworth paints of iconic American Her search for approval and a father man to run things — she seemed to wanted to, she could have been one of the actor Henry Fonda is very different from figure led her to entangle herself with need a man like that to anchor her,” most interesting and challenging women Tom Joad, the migrant farm worker he various men, and to marry and divorce according to Bosworth. But the marriage ever onstage and on film.” portrays in The Grapes of Wrath and three of them. After a string of college wouldn’t last, largely due to Turner’s the idealist juror he made famous in 12 boyfriends, Fonda found herself living womanizing. Bosworth’s book holds true to the title; we really do learn about the private Angry Men. As a child, it was difficult with Greek director Andreas Voutsinas, Bosworth’s description of Fonda’s 1972 life of the very public Jane Fonda. The for Jane Fonda to reconcile her unloving who became her acting coach/mentor trip to North Vietnam and the incident father with the kind men he embodied and lover (despite the fact that he was that led to her notorious moniker “Hanoi actress even refused to talk about her on the silver screen. gay) because she “‘needed someone Jane” (Fonda was photographed on a private life on The Dick Cavett Show, Fonda’s childhood was a troubled else to create [her] life. [She] felt more North Vietnamese antiaircraft gun) are but Bosworth manages to reveal personal and unhappy one. Her mother, Frances, comfortable when [she] was with him; he proof that despite the two women’s insights and new information in her caused a great deal of the pain Fonda could take charge,’” which suggests that history (they first met at the Actors Studio book. Not only do we hear from Fonda Fonda craved a man capable of grounding felt growing up, as she didn’t hide her in 1961), Bosworth maintains a certain herself, but also from her brother Peter preference for Fonda’s brother, Peter, her and giving her direction, much like distance from her subject. The author and other family members and friends. who also became an actor. Additionally, a father. However, Voutsinas was all- demonstrates her skepticism about how Frances’s suicide when Fonda was only controlling and directors often forbade Fonda could have been so naive regarding This is not merely a recounting of 13 years old had a profound impact on his presence on-set while Fonda filmed. the repercussions of her radio broadcasts already-told Fonda stories, so whether her, and was the driving force behind her Looking back, Fonda characterized her about discontinuing the bombing of you’re fond of Jane or not, Bosworth’s decision to tackle the role of the suicidal time with Voutsinas as “‘Three years of North Vietnamese dikes and her decision book is a worthwhile read. SA

8 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

L.A. Screenings Review Nets Showy, Studios Content, Buyers Exhausted But Ecstatic BY DOM SERAFINI ARTEAR’s Luciana Egurrola

t seems that all three international buyers, in turn, were happy with the still TV industry events centered large number of dramas, since sitcoms around the L.A. Screenings — usually don’t travel well, even though the Upfronts, the indie screenings some acquisition execs showed interest and the studio screenings — left in Sony Pictures’s new comedy Men at most people involved happy. Work, and Lionsgate’s new comedy Anger At the Upfronts in New York Management, starring Charlie Sheen. City,I which opened the bazaars, the According to Myers, “They’ve spent five major U.S. TV broadcast networks $3 billion in program development this were satisfied with the over $9 billion in year, and the broadcast networks remain ad revenue they secured for the 2012- the engine that leads the video train.” It’s 13 season for the pre-sale of some 80 no wonder, then, that with that kind of percent of their ad inventory. money thrown at them, the studios are The networks also showed off content. Power’s Susan Waddell, Pepe Echegaray something they’ve been longing for. Around 1,500 buyers from 66 countries For some years now, U.S. TV stations the Upfronts model is still current, Jack thing for the broadcast nets, too. “A attended the Screenings, basically the have wanted to make viewers laugh with Myers, media economist and publisher lot of the money that’s shifting to the same number as last year. However, while comedies instead of cry with dramas — of the Jack Myers Media Business online marketplace is shifting to the all international TV outlets were present, specifically since 1997 when NBC had Report, said, “10 years ago everyone network’s own video assets — like ABC. the traditional ones sent fewer executives, 18 comedies on its schedule, and ABC was calling for the elimination of the com, CBS’s TV.com and Hulu. About while the number of IPTV buyers, such and CBS had 12 each. For the 2012-13 Upfronts, but we see signs of them 50 percent of the money spent on online as Netflix and Hulu, increased. Some season, the nets picked up 22 comedies. getting stronger, not weaker, and the video will go to the broadcast and cable distributors make a distinction between NBC now has seven new comedies. proof is in the ‘Newfronts.’ In the last networks, and the lion’s share of that IPTV and digital rights, with the latter For the U.S. TV stations, comedies few weeks, we’ve seen the online video goes to broadcast,” he said. considered the sub-channel of broadcast are less risky than one-hour dramas, ‘Newfronts,’ and every cable network At the L.A. Screenings — the event TV. because if a sitcom fails it affects only a has held their Upfronts. There have been that follows the Upfronts and takes place Among the buyers, some buzzed about half hour of the schedule. Plus, comedies nearly 100 between February and May,” in and around Hollywood — the studios shows were: Chicago Fire (NBCUni for are cheaper to produce. However, having he explained. (which produced and/or are distributing NBC), about life in a fire department; too many comedies scheduled back-to- While Myers expected that some of 44 of 50 new series) were largely content The Following (WB for FOX midseason), back is considered risky. the broadcast nets’ Upfront money went with the buyers’ reactions to the pilots starring Kevin Bacon; Nashville (Lionsgate As for the age-old question of whether to online video instead, that’s a good and specials screened. International for ABC), dealing with politics and

A+E’s Mayra Bracer, Marielle Zuccarelli Record TV’s Delmar Andrade

(Continued on Page 12) 10 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2 29 X 60’

SERIE L.A. Screenings (Continued)

(Continued from Page 10)

largest turnout in recent years (last year saw 74 companies screen). The indie portion started May 15 (while the studios began screening on the 18) and featured three evening parties hosted by Venevision, which, traditionally, opened the market; Caracol, which premiered its Pablo Escobar, The Telemundo’s Esperanza Garay (c.) with Evil Boss series; and Telefilms, with a Caracol’s Camilo Acuña, Marcela Montoya sit-down dinner after the screening of its new movie catalog. the corridors of the Century Plaza After a slow start, the traffic in Hotel and the studios’ screening rooms: the corridors picked up on day two one piece of news follows Argentina’s and many distributors reported good recently imposed restrictions on the business, which kept up until May 18, purchase of U.S. dollars. According when all indie exhibitors made way for to some broadcasters familiar with the Viacom’s Nickelodeon Latin America organized a press conference for its 11-11 En Mi Cuadra the studios. Nada Cuadra, a co-production with Miami-based Somos issue, after a complete freeze on U.S. On May 18 Mexico’s TV Azteca hosted dollars transferred out of the country, the a bash to honor Marcel Vinay, Sr.’s 45 music; The New Normal (Twentieth (ABC), about the widow of a criminal government will develop a priority list to years in the TV industry. All of the top- Century Fox for NBC), a comedy about who inherits a crime syndicate; Zero facilitate program importers and other level executives of Latin America’s TV a gay couple and their surrogate; Last Hour (ABC), a conspiracy thriller; and international TV companies. In any case, networks, including competitors such as Resort (Sony Pictures for ABC), about a Mistresses (ABC), about four women and Televisa, attended the party. each transaction will have to be approved U.S. submarine with nuclear capability their love affairs. by the AFIP, the country’s national tax that fights the bad guys within the Earlier, on May 16, Viacom’s This year, Sony Pictures offered buyers agency. U.S. government (the pilot reportedly warm-up blankets during its screening, Nickelodeon Latin America organized cost $14 million); and The Mob Doctor possibly in response to VideoAge Daily’s a press conference for its 11-11 En Mi In Mexico, TV Azteca’s networks (Sony for FOX), about a surgeon who’s story at NATPE 2012 (“How to Dress Cuadra Nada Cuadra, a co-production were dropped by the country’s cable-TV blackmailed by the Mafia. for the L.A. Screenings”) in which buyers with Miami-based Somos. Viacom also systems serving a combined 4.4 million were quoted jokingly complaining about announced an exclusive five-year volume Some buyers also liked Vegas (CBS viewers over some retransmission fees. the very cold screening rooms. distribution deal with Televisa. Studios International for CBS), a Megacable, Mexico’s largest MSO with In the 45 years that the L.A. Screenings Since the indies begin screening earlier Western set in 1960s Las Vegas. Other 1.9 million subs, dropped the channel have been held, a third event focusing on than the studios, many Latin buyers popular CBSSI shows include: Emily first, followed by Cablemas and TVI, Owens, M.D. (CW), a hospital drama Latin American buyers has developed stay in L.A. for over 10 days, compared with a total of 1.4 million subs (both with Mamie Gummer, daughter of Meryl around the Screenings and become a to five for those from other countries. controlled by Televisa), and Telecable, Streep; Elementary (CBS), a modern take lucrative business for the independents. Canadians arrived on May 14 for the on Sherlock Holmes; and Beauty and the Eighty companies exhibited at this five-day series shopping spree, while the which together with Cablecom serves Beast (CW), a police version of the fairy year’s L.A. Screenings, setting up shop in rest of the world arrived Sunday, May 1.1 million homes. Mexico’s antitrust tale. Buzzed about shows from Disney the suites of the Century Plaza Hotel in 20, for a Monday start. commission is now looking into the Media Distribution include Red Widow the Century City area of Los Angeles, the Now for the news circulating around matter.

TV Azteca’s Marcel Vinay Sr. and Comarex Marcel Vinay Jr. while picking up the plaque Televisa’s sales team gathering at the L.A. Screenings precon commemorating Vinay’s 45 years in the international TV industry from Frecuencia Latina Peru’s Cecilia Gomez (on behalf of Frecuencia prez Baruch Ivcher)

12 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2 PATH FA (270mmx360mm) ATF AD.pdf 1 6/7/12 7:35 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K Modern Business

Risk and Reward is a Fine Content’s Greg Phillips

per year, but with The Firm, for example, Balance in Today’s Schedules we went straight to 22 episodes, so there is no formula here — it’s on a show-by- show basis.” Cabrera went on to suggest that, “Unfortunately there’s no real safe BY BOB JENKINS broadcaster will be left with episodes approach when it comes to knowing they know will not rate, but which which shows will be successful and they still have to play, as they have herever one looks, which will not be successful.” schedules are packed paid for them.” Phillips also warned, with revivals of “While audiences do have a tendency This is a view shared by Content’s successes from bygone to watch shows with which they are Phillips, who said, “There are no absolutes decades and multiple familiar, there will come a point when in television. There are no absolute seasons of hit shows — they are bored with that show, and guaranteed ratings winners, and there and apparently this has the very familiarity which once caused are no absolute programming policies nothing to do with money. them to switch on, will now cause either. One week I’ll offer a broadcaster W them to switch off.” He added, “While something absolutely new and fresh and Jan Salling, Sales director of Nordic World, admitted, “There has been a there are savings in bulk orders and they’ll tell me they’re sticking with the spate of revivals of old classics recently revivals save on development costs, tried and tested and the next time I speak these savings represent a nice bonus in Scandinavia. Fort Boyard, Big Brother, to them, they’ll tell me they’re looking for rather than a reason for making a Gladiators, all these and more have something new and untried.” positive commissioning decision.” been revived recently, and it is also Whatever the broadcast policy, and certainly the case that successful shows With regards to whether these costs whatever the reasons behind it, one thing are commissioned in great volume and savings are enough to make a positive all the executives interviewed agreed on played for several seasons a year — and commissioning decision or not, that option NICE’s Morten Aass is that no broadcaster can live without there is an obvious economic advantage is not always open to a broadcaster. innovation. to that.” Salling feels that, “In addition Rob Clark, director of Global to relatively safe and cheap ratings points And Nordic World’s Salling added: NICE’s Aass was adamant that “audiences Entertainment Development for will reward channels that are creative and there is also a benefit to a broadcaster, “Many of these older shows are being FremantleMedia in the U.K. insisted, risk taking. When they turn on a channel especially in the case of reviving a classic, revived on smaller digital channels. “While it is true that many broadcasters and find they’re watching season 10 of Fort of boosting brand value. Audiences This is part of an overall strategy by want to play successful shows in bulk, , they tend to turn over!” remember the old shows and feel a warm the main broadcasters who are losing and that does offer a lower cost per Boyard nostalgia for them.” market share on their main channels, episode, not all producers/IP holders Content’s Phillips concurred, pointing This is a view shared by Jens Richter, but, by building these smaller channels, will let them do this. At Fremantle we out, “Broadcasters need to be aware that managing director of Germany’s are maintaining, or even growing, their only have one season a year of our three they are not just competing with each SevenOne International, who insisted, overall market share.” big entertainments formats, Idol, Got other, but are also in competition with “While there is definitely a trend In London, Greg Phillips, president, Talent and X-Factor. Some broadcasters all other forms of home entertainment towards revivals of old successes, I am Content Television and Content actually like this because it gives a such as gaming and social networking. not convinced this is driven by difficult Digital, acknowledged the benefits of certain geography to their schedule, And, if that were not reason enough to economic times for broadcasters. Times revivals and long-runs of successful and print and Internet media know prompt innovation, producers should are more economically challenging for shows but cautioned, “As with all things what’s coming and what they will have always remember that if they do not audiences and old favorites, from a in life there has to be a balance here. to write about and when.” take risks they’ll never be the next time they remember as being more Ordering in bulk, especially with game Valerie Cabrera, executive vice Simon Cowell, and broadcasters need economically secure, allow them to see shows, talent shows and reality makes a president of Entertainment One to keep in mind that without backing life through rose-tinted spectacles!” saving, but there is always the risk that Television International in Los Angeles those risks, they’ll never have the next Although he also cautioned that, “Revival the show will die, or trail off, and the agreed: “Typically we run one season Britain’s Got Talent!” is OK for certain entertainment/game shows, but it doesn’t really work for reality or drama. This is because they are both character driven, and also [because] the way drama is done these days is so “Revival is very different from the way in which it was done even five years ago, the chances of a successful revival are very slim.” OK for certain But there are other factors at play here. Morten Aass, CEO of Stockholm, entertainment/game Sweden-based NICE Entertainment Group highlighted an increasing focus shows, but it doesn’t by management on making every slot profitable, and, as he noted, “Once this was best achieved through acquisition really work for since, even though you got lower ratings, the cost of acquisition was around one reality or drama.” tenth of that of local production, but this is no longer the case and, as a consequence, -Jens Richter of local production has increased dramatically over the past few years.” Jan Salling of Nordic World SevenOne International

14 VIDEO • AGE “J UNE 2 0 1 2 Five Days of Conferences 2,000+ New Films & Projects One Beachfront Campus that Covers It All

AMERICAN FILM MARKET® & CONFERENCES

OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 7 / SANTA MONICA

The Unmatched Destination for Industry Professionals... The Film Capital of the World

Register Today for the BEST RATES at www.AmericanFilmMarket.com

Photo by Fitz Carlile Biarritz Makes French TV Ritzy LIFE IS (Continued from Cover)

VideoAge spoke with Mathieu Le Rendez-Vous features conferences and Bejot, executive director of TV France round tables International, and with registered exhibitors to find out their plans for this logistics are set up, Bejot responded, important event in their calendar year. “Buyers pay their own transportation, at This year, the event opens on a Tanya McQueen least to Paris, as we provide a chartered Monday morning, one day earlier than airplane from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle PICKER usual. TVFI’s Bejot explained that the airport to Biarritz and back. We offer decision toSISTERS start the market a day earlier An evening soiree MOVIES CRIME LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT BIOGRAPHY ENTEaccommodation, meals and market RTAINING will “allow buyers to also attend the large number of titles that haven’t been annual sales for some of our members. registration. We will also provide a shuttle Cartoon Forum [September 11-14], to presented at past markets. One Sales More importantly, it is very focused and, from Biarritz to Toulouse for Cartoon be held in the nearby city of Toulouse,” executive reported, “We have 21 new like all screening events of the kind, it Forum participants.” which lies a bit to the East of Biarritz, films.” Some of the highlights include: provides our members with immediate the coastal city located near the Spanish However, sellers must fend for Beneath the Lingerie; London, Capital feedback from buyers.” boarder that’s playing host to Le Rendez- themselves, as they “take care of their Under Strain; The Passage; The French Vous. Participants shouldn’t expect many own transportation, and we charge them Coast from the Sky and Faces from the big changes this time around. “The Bejot reported organizers are expecting both for accommodation and meals and Coast. core of the event remains screening and 65 French companies to exhibit for 220- for part of the set-up.” But, he added, On the other end of the spectrum, meeting with French content providers, 230 buyers from over 50 countries. He “TV France covers a large part of the Paris-based Ankama will bring just one and we are not changing much to an expects that about half of the 1,300 overall budget of the event,” Bejot said. new title, Wakfu, to market, according event that’s running rather smoothly!,” programs introduced at Le Rendez-Vous to Romy Broda, International TV Sales Bejot said. In terms of special events, Bejot to be new titles. Last year, the event manager. commented, “We’re proud to host an drew 234 buyers from 157 international He continued, “Our two goals [for the Exhibiting companies said that they event] are to give buyers a chance to sit International Emmy Awards Semi-final broadcasting companies, representing 56 Judging for preschool programs the day countries. will focus their efforts on a wide range down and screen as much as they wish of territories. While Lukarn’s Frantz so they can get a good overview of the before Le Rendez-Vous.” Additionally, Sandrine Frantz of Boulogne- reported she would not neglect her latest French production and to provide he said, “our dinner parties will again Billancourt, France-based Lukarn regular clients, she will also focus her buyers with quality time with French focus on new programs in an entertaining announced that her company will efforts on Asia, and China especially, at content providers.” way.” present 20 programs from the library this market. System TV’s El Khoury- All of the exhibitors surveyed agreed In addition to the traditional market and approximately 50 from the new Brissard is concentrating on Europe, that documentaries sell best at Le overview conference, Bejot stated, “We catalog that have not been presented at with a special emphasis on Scandinavia. Rendez-Vous, with Films Distribution will organize a conference on documentary past markets. These titles are “mostly Pamela Leu, head of International TV looking to capitalize on the trend with and a press conference on the study we documentaries, but also some new Sales for Paris-based Films Distribution new documentary, A Special Day. are conducting with CNC on export classical music shows and pop rock noted that she’ll focus on Eastern Lukarn’s Frantz added that this genre figures in 2011.” SA shows,” she said. Europe, Germany, Spain and Italy. “sells the best anywhere in terms of Also from Boulogne, System TV will Ankama’s Broda insisted the company quantity, but not in terms of price.” be in Biarritz with seven new titles, is taking a broad approach, targeting “all Last year, animation titles generated the according to Sales manager Hiam El territories.” largest number of sales at 34.8 million Khoury-Brissard. Consistent with the According to TVFI’s Bejot, Le Rendez- euro, while documentaries boasted the French feel of the market, the company Vous “is our prime showcase event in largest growth (13.7 percent), rising to will shine a spotlight on the series terms of participants, effectiveness and 26.4 million euro. Meanwhile, drama Fabulous French Villages. resources (both human and financial). decreased 1.6 percent to 19.1 million euro Paris-based GAD will also bring a It helps generate up to 25 percent of and format sales climbed 4.9 percent to 17.2 million euro. Films Distribution’s Leu has also found that feature films sell well at Le Rendez-Vous. Gene Simmons Asked about how the market’s GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELSTM A view of the exhibition hall

The 2011 event opened with TVFI’s Mathieu Bejot and Xavier Gouyou Beauchamps Buyers break for a seaside lunch offering an overview of the market RickIndividual Harrison screening areas ®

© Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 1004. 2011 A&E Television PAWN STARS 16 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

While the event is in Paris, companies from 30 countries across the world will attend, including Singapore, Australia, When Content Turkey, the U.S., Canada and Latin Is UbiQuitous America. “It will be a strong marketplace in the heart of Europe, not just a European marketplace,” Flatres said. Participating companies include (Continued from Cover) YouTube, Viacom Media Networks, Disney Mobile, Ubisoft, Bit.ly and head of Digital Business Development at FremantleMedia. MIP-TV and MIPCOM (Note: UbiQ is not affiliated with Reed Midem.) The event will feature two full days of “There are many existing events but no conferences. Monday morning’s keynote true one-stop shop that gathers digital on “Capturing New Audiences” will be and interactive content creators and all presented by Randi Zuckerberg, CEO content editors and platforms. of RtoZ Media, and former marketing Inside Palais Brongniart, the event venue “In the digital business, it’s all about director of Facebook, and Doug Scott, identifying the right partners with whom Gwénaël Flatres of UbiQ president of Ogilvy Entertainment. to reach consumers. We wanted to create That will be followed by a social media The final session, on June 19, will showcase, a branded entertainment feature a YouTube Showcase. A YouTube a pragmatic, cost-effective market that many forms of media these days.” included TV, music, apps and games,” showcase, tech demos from five leading representative and major French music he said. Irv Holender, of Multicom technology companies, a second screen/ label will show how to maximize Entertainment Group, concurred that social TV showcase, a music platform Flatres said the Paris location is just promotion and revenue streams through the television industry is facing a lot showcase and a web video showcase right for those in Europe, easily accessible the use of YouTube. of unknowns when it comes to digital (which includes Allen DeBevoise, the from most other countries, and the City business models. Currently, there are CEO and co-founder of Machinima, the Asked how this market differs from of Light’s plethora of hotel options offers linear deals (sponsorships), in addition others around the globe, Flatres said: something for every price point, even number one channel on YouTube). to VOD and downloads. Many of the “Our target is completely clear. We are Tuesday’s keynote, “Monetizing tech start-ups that might be strapped for digital companies offer “revenue sharing, cash (for now). Digital Media” will feature Louis-Pierre bringing together companies from TV, but in order to do that, you must music, games and social media to share With worldwide maturation of Pharand, head of Ubisoft and Bruce first spend the money to deliver the experiences on how to capture, engage, connected TV and the increasing content, and pay to convert the content Kirkland of Tsunami Entertainment. monetize audiences and measure ROI popularity of tablets, Flatres said, now upfront. That’s not easy — especially for It will be followed by global digital was the perfect time to kick off a market independents,” he said. media case studies, a games showcase, a in the different arena. The idea is not to measurement and data showcase, and a think of them as different segments,” he like UbiQ. “It’s the Wild West out there, and mobile showcase. said. “Tablets are becoming complementary there’s no big money in it yet,” Holender to the bigger screen. And every TV said. “All the new technologies come company needs to tap into additional with different business models, different revenues, and take advantage of all the methods of delivery, different compression other tools available for consumers to needs and different standards.” interact with their content.” Flatres offered his own predictions DIGITAL RIGHTS AND “TV is turning fully digital,” Flatres for the digital model: “With the cloud said, adding that the TV industry can technologies and the development of INTERNET RIGHTS learn a lot about how to face digital very high-speed and 4G networks, I think proliferation from the music side. that download-to-own or to-rent will At first, digital rights and Internet rights may appear to be Monday afternoon will see a musical die. The streaming model will definitely one in the same, but Ettore Botta, president of the Los Angeles- platform showcase that’ll include win the game. In France, which is the representatives from Universal Music, most advanced country on IPTV, the based online marketplace Global Entertainment Media Markets, Disney Mobile and more discussing most popular model is streaming.” explained that: the past 10 years, and the future of the As of press time, 226 companies had “Digital television (digital rights and/or digital sales) refers to music business. registered for the event. Flatres expects FTA or Free Terrestrial TV, specifically to the Free Terrestrial TV But, Flatres said, “Every industry can to reach 2,000 registrants by June 18. He sub channels or multiplexes. learn from each other. Brand integration is hoping registration numbers will triple Internet rights and/or sales refers to channels that are is very important, and it involves so in the coming years. distributed via broadband. Since it uses the Internet protocol, at times it is referred to as IPTV rights. Internet rights can be subcategorized as streaming and download. Streaming can be live, time-shifted (so-called “catch up” for later viewing) and on-demand. Furthermore, Internet rights can be for sell-through, download-to-own, download-to-rent and download-to-burn. License fees and windows for digital rights follow those of traditional TV, however Internet rights are evolving with different business models and an Internet license term can last for up to 10 or 15 years. The two key business models for Internet rights are: Advance minimum guarantee (MG) plus back-end revenue sharing and the not-so-desirable revenue sharing only. Advance MG can be in the order of $1,000 to $2,000 per hour, while revenue sharing is usually a minimum 25 percent of the retail price from directly owned IPTV channels and 50 percent from third party IPTV channels (when combined with an advance MG business model.)”

The iconic Palais Brongniart

18 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

“Traditionally, telenovelas are one of the most demanded products in this market,” NATPE but she has also noticed a demand for children’s programming and even “many Budapest requests for scripted formats from Central and Eastern European producers.” Roberto Corrente, Sales executive at (Continued from Cover) Colombia’s Caracol Television agreed NATPE. “We’re looking forward to that “Telenovelas and drama series are working with NATPE, this time in a without any doubt the favorite genres” different setting. Their approach is a good in the region. “That’s why we consider one, which is not to change too much NATPE Budapest an incredibly attractive this first time and then look at what may window to show our…catalog to our need improvement, if anything, for next Central and Eastern European clients,” year,” said Federico Vargas, Canada- he said. based CCI Entertainment’s director of The 2011 opening night reception In terms of parties and events, Braen Sales. revealed that participants can expect Patrick Elmendorff, managing director two big parties: “Simply Cocktails” on of Germany’s Studio 100 Media, was Central and Eastern Europe, as well as The company is pushing its lifestyle, Tuesday, June 26 and “Club 21” on also “looking forward to experiencing the the Middle East and Western Europe. factual and children’s programming. Wednesday, June 27. In addition to market under NATPE’s organizational NATPE Budapest holds an important Jo Lovell, director of Program Sales, skills.” space on the market calendar because, as Europe for New York-based A+E Networks these bashes, CBS Studios International, Studio 100’s Elmendorff said, it offers NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. will all Similarly, Mark Benmore, VP of Sales finds their “HISTORY [channel] flagship companies the “opportunity to meet screen programming. for U.K.-based Content Television and series…have traditionally been very with broadcasters and clients…who Digital said his company was “looking popular in the CEE region,” adding that But indie exhibitors like Telemundo’s usually do not attend other markets such forward to experiencing [its] first “more recently, our Lifetime catalog…has Pillow may not be thrilled with this as MIP-TV and MIPCOM.” attracted the attention of several buyers.” NATPE Budapest event.” news. “Last year, a screening of major Asked whether the association with Beth Braen, NATPE’s vice president London-based Power recently acquired films and series that lasted the entire NATPE would increase the number of of Marketing, confirmed that there 21 new first-run feature films from market kept a great percentage of buyers conferences in Budapest, Braen replied Bankside Films, which the company is won’t be any major changes this year occupied, making them unable to attend that the organization would evaluate this because the organization’s main focus putting on display, as they find buyers possibility with the new CEO. all the meetings scheduled.” Pillow added, is to “learn and understand the needs have a need for action/adventure, disaster, and family programming. Power “Hosting screening events…is a great of the buyers and sellers that attend.” According to Braen, the organization’s treats the market as an “opportunity to idea if they are not presented during the However, she went on to say that next main goal for NATPE Budapest is take an inclusive approach to all CEE traditional market days.” year could bring some changes based on consistent with its goal for every NATPE territories,” according to VP of Sales and those findings. “We will look at how the event: to “organize a successful market Many market-goers are wondering Acquisitions Steve Turney. event can evolve to make it as productive that results in the maximum amount of whether the event will continue to be held and efficient as possible for everyone,” networking and business deals possible.” Similarly, Vargas said CCI in Budapest. Quite a few participants she said. Participants are looking to get down Entertainment is also looking to capitalize expressed hope that the city would on interest in films with its slate of six From Madrid, Melissa Pillow, to business and will come to Hungary become the market’s permanent home thrillers, in addition to its children’s Telemundo Internacional’s Sales equipped with programming geared because, as Caracol’s Corrente stated, series and lifestyle programming. He director for Europe, predicted, toward the region. Canada-based “it is a very good strategy to develop a elaborated, “The movie thrillers are a “NATPE’s control…should bring a Breakthrough Entertainment is looking relationship between the city and the priority for us at this market, as this higher attendance of buyers compared to make its mark: “Since we could not event that takes place there.” Corrente genre fits well with the programming to previous years.” Mandy Rogers, Sales attend DISCOP East in 2011, we have needs in the territory.” But, as always, he believes the city and event have already and Business Development manager at approximately 35 new programs across noted, “the most successful genre really developed this “connection.” Studio South Africa-based multi-pan-African a variety of genres to present to many of depends on the needs of the individual 100’s Elmendorff finds “Budapest is a content provider M-Net agreed: “The our Eastern and Central European clients broadcasters.” wonderful venue to hold a market,” and success of NATPE in the U.S. and the for the first time,” said Kate Blank, Telemundo’s Pillow is “delighted with fact that it is a well-known name…may director of International Distribution. Telemundo’s Pillow has found, attract new buyers and distributors.” A the location, city and climate.” Likewise, month ahead of the market, Braen noted M-Net’s Rogers said, “The location is that registration was “pacing on track great and returning attendees know the with years past.” This year, NATPE city well.” However, Power’s Turney charged a “nominal, upfront fee for took a bit of a different view: “As long as buyers, so they are financially invested the buyers come, the location is largely in attending.” inconsequential to us.” By the beginning of May, 250 In any case, Budapest enthusiasts can registered buyers had already completed rest easy for now. “Right now we are their paid registration, and NATPE happy in Budapest and our plan is to expected that number to grow as the stay here,” said Braen. “No decisions will event approached. Braen also reported be made until…we have an opportunity that, “all of the major studios are returning,” and new companies have to evaluate this year from a strategic registered as well. standpoint” with the new CEO. Among the exhibitors VideoAge But as Telemundo’s Pillow put it, surveyed, the general consensus was “There is nothing better than Budapest in the market mainly attracts buyers from Scenes from the event’s 2011 edition June.”

20 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

Auditorium Parco della Musica, the at MIP-TV during a press conference Indeed, it looks event headquarters, which is not centrally with BBC Worldwide’s Tim Mutimer located. and RFF artistic director Steve Della Focus on Italy Renata Polverini, the governor of the Casa. Other sponsors of RFF are Italy’s like Italians have Regione Lazio — the region of Rome and one of the key sponsors of the RFF Association of TV Producers and Rome’s decided that — made this announcement last April Chamber of Commerce. (Continued from Cover) festivals the Italian Triangle, which is the month of similar to the Bermuda Triangle: once inside, it’s difficult to escape. Indeed, it September belongs looks like Italians have decided that the month of September belongs to their multimedia industry, and are determined to their multimedia to keep visiting international media executives captive, at least up until the industry. beginning of MIPCOM in Cannes on October 6. Ignoring, for now, the drama associated with the Venice Film Festival’s (VFF) FIAT, has been the venue of many competition with the Roma Cinema past Prix Italia events, starting in 1950, Fest (to be held November 9-17 just then again in 1972 and 1994. The Prix after the AFM and with its new artistic has been held in this city continuously director Marco Muller, formerly with since 2009 and will possibly remain VFF), let’s preview Prix Italia, which until 2013. is sponsored by RAI, Italy’s state At the Gala Concert of the opening APT and BBC officials during a RFF press conference at MIP broadcasting organization. ceremony, the RAI Orchestra, conducted The Prix’s venues will be the same by 36-year-old Slovakian maestro Jurai as its past three editions in Turin: the Valcuha, will perform at Turin’s Arturo RAI Production Center will host all the Toscanini Auditorium and broadcast live meetings in its Radio and Television on RAI-TV5, Radio-3 and worldwide Museum wing, while the juries will work via RAI-TV International. in the nearby Radio Building. “ At the organizational level, the big On the television side there will be news is that starting with this event, three juries, one each for documentaries, Prix Italia has been placed under the performing art and drama. This latter RAI World umbrella, a division of RAI group will be made up of 14 members that is responsible for all international- from 13 countries, including experts related activities, including channel from Brazil, Canada and Russia. distribution and marketing and, Prix Italia’s Secretary General, eventually, program sales in the fashion Giovanna Milella, pointed out that of BBC Worldwide. (For more on Turin was Italy’s first capital and the Prix’s schedule of events, turn to the city where RAI was originally founded. following page). Today it still houses one of Italy’s most And speaking of the BBC, the last important production centers, plus event on the September calendar, the the RAI Research Center and the RAI Roma Fiction Fest (RFF), will see the National Symphony Orchestra. venerable British broadcast organization The Venice Film Festival’s red carpet Turin, hometown of automaker featured during a BBC Day at the

The Roma Fiction Fest’s headquarters, the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Turin will once again host Prix Italia designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano

22 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

Prix Italia 2012: Activities Schedule The 64th edition of the RAI-sponsored Focus On Italy international radio-television and web competition Prix Italia, directed by the Secretary General Giovanna Milella, begins in Turin on September 16 and wraps up on September 21. Turin was the first capital of Italy, and NBCUni Global Networks RAI, the public Italian Radio-Television broadcasting organization, was started in Turin, which is still the headquarters of one of Italy’s most important RAI production Italia’s Channel Highlights centers, the RAI Research Center and the RAI National Symphony Orchestra. The venues for Prix Italia 2012 will s summer heats up, Hollywood Story: Last Days of Elvis recounts remain the same as last year. The RAI NBCUniversal in Italy will be the singer’s last days. In addition, Mrs. Production Center, on Via Verdi 16, will heating up Italian TV screens Eastwood & Company, about American host all the meetings in the Radio and in July and August with a actor Clint Eastwood’s wife and daughters, Television Museum. The Radio Building, selection of titles featuring will come to E! Entertainment in Italy. on Via Verdi 31, will house the juries. big-name stars on its four Diva Universal (Sky platform The Opening Ceremony will feature channels: E! Entertainment, Channel 128) is kicking off July with the “Gala Concert of the RAI National which offers the most up-to-date Hollywood detective series Kojak. The channel is Symphony Orchestra,” conducted by A maestro Jurai Valcuha at the Arturo news; Diva Universal, an entertainment also premiering a number of programs Toscanini Auditorium. It will broadcast channel dedicated to fascinating women; dedicated to powerful women, starting live on RAI’s radio and TV channels. Steel/Syfy, which airs action and comedy with a timely episode of the original programming and American cinema The festival will close with an awards format Great Women called Great ceremony at the royal palace. channel Studio Universal. The channels and Women: Special Olympic Games – Nadia This year’s edition offers many “special scheduling represent a successful model for Comaneci, just in time for the 2012 prizes.” The Special Prize: Feeding the many European channels. NBCUniversal Olympics. Other episodes include Global Networks Italy also runs Universal Planet, Energy for Life, supported by the Great Women: Eva Peron, premiering Milan Expo 2015, will provide a window Channel in Turkey and Greece. in July; Great Women: Marilyn Monroe, E! Entertainment’s Mrs. Eastwood & Company of television programs devoted to themes on In July on E! Entertainment (Sky premiering in August; Great Women: food and sustainable life. Another Special platform Channel 129), viewers can Special Olympic Games – Leni Riefenstahl Prize: Cup of the President of the Italian catch the 18-episode seventh season of (August) and Great Women: Lady Diana American Hero, an American comedy- Republic, will be awarded to a radio program the reality show, Keeping Up With the (August). drama about a man who learns to use his by Italian President Giorgio Napoletano. Kardashians. Plus, E! Entertainment With support from the Italian Police, Diva superhuman powers by trial and error, will A jury of students from Turin University’s format Behind the Scenes will go backstage Universal is fighting violence by dedicating a debut on the channel on July 10. School of Journalism will work in the web with the stars of Snow White & The and multimedia sections for yet another new original format, Diva Universal Against Studio Universal is chock-full of Huntsman. Meanwhile, E! Investigates A Violence to the theme “Police: feminine Special Prize: Best multimedia section of exciting titles such as Superman; The newspapers, magazines and press agencies. Family Tragedy: The Powells will tell the singular. In defense of women.” Viewers Evil Dead; Robocop; Jaws; Interceptor; In addition, it has been confirmed that the true story of the murder/suicide of the can also tune in to Diva Universal to Evita (as a tribute to Evita Perón); The Special “Signis” Prize will be awarded to Powell family. catch HBO documentary Public Speaking Outsiders and Jerry Maguire (to honor a competing television program that best In August, the channel is serving up (August), about Fran Lebowitz. promotes human values. Tom Cruise); Crossfire, Blood on the E! Special: Heroes Gone Wrong, which Drama series Grimm, which is inspired Moon, Cape Fear, The Good Guys and the Artist Michelangelo Pistoletto has investigates what happens when people by the classic Grimm fairy tales, and Being created an image that will characterize Prix Bad Guys and The Yakuza (as a tribute violate the public trust and commit Human 4, which centers on a werewolf, a Italia 2012 and serve as the leading motif horrific crimes. E! Bridal to Homicidal is vampire and a ghost trying to live normal to Robert Mitchum); Shadows, Faces, A of the event. The award winners will be an hour-long special that tells the story lives, will both make their territory premieres Woman Under the Influence and Opening given a piece of art created by Pistoletto of women who transform from happy on Syfy (Steel – Mediaset Premium on Night (as part of the Cassavetes Stunt), for the occasion. Additionally, Pistoletto brides to murderers. To mark the 35th DTT) on July 2 and will continue to air and The Big Red One (as part of 1 Film will deliver a lecture about his work on anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, E! True each Monday. Additionally, The Greatest 1 History), among others. September 17 at the Castle of Rivoli. September 19 will be dedicated to Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi, who took part in the 1969 edition of Prix Italia with one of his first works, Face to Face. This year, two of his major works, The Power of Evil: Paradigme (1985) and Persona Non Grata (2005), will screen at the Cinema Massimo. During the course of the evening Zanussi will speak on the subject of “European Cultural Identity in the Age of Internet.” Finally, on September 20, there will be an exhibition of U.S. visual artist and stage director Robert Wilson’s celebrity portraits titled “Videoportraits At Palazzo Madama.” Wilson’s lecture will be followed by the screening of Katharina Otto-Bernstein’s Steel/Syfy’s Being Human 4 Studio Universal’s Evita documentary, Absolute Wilson.

24 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

Panini’s Story

It all started with two brothers in Focus On Italy Modena, Italy: Giuseppe and Benito Panini who, in 1961 created Panini, a business selling figurine cards. Soon, two other brothers, Franco and Umberto, joined the group, which became very successful sell- ing figurines of football players. Panini’s TLM Has All The In 1988 the brothers sold the company to the Maxwell Group. In 1992, after Robert Maxwell’s Ingredients for Show Biz financial problems and his myste- rious death, Panini was acquired by two Italian companies that, in ast year, a “new kid” appeared 1994, sold the company to Marvel on the content block in a big Entertainment for $150 million. way: Panini Media. The “kid,” Five years later, Marvel — expe- however, looked too old to riencing financial problems itself be either a “kid” or “new.” — sold the company to a group Indeed, those not-too-familiar that included Panini’s senior man- with licensing and merchan- agement headed by its presi- dising soon discovered that the “kid” dent, Argentinean-born Aldo L Hugo Sallustro (with a 75 percent was almost 50 years old and already had ownership) and investor Vittorio an impressive program library being Merloni (who holds the remaining marketed under its label, The Licensing 25 percent). Before joining Panini, Machine (TLM)/Panini Media. Sallustro was an executive with one VideoAge asked Kent, U.K.-based of Merloni’s companies. The deal TLM director, Peter J. Warsop, to final- called for Panini’s new owners to ly introduce Panini’s film and TV activi- pay Marvel $104 million, plus $15.8 ties to the international entertainment million of bank debt accumulated industry and tell us when Panini entered by Panini (the balance of $11.2 the film-TV content business and why. Signs Canadian producer Michel Zgarka and French actress Yse Brisson with million was paid by Marvel), thus “Panini will regularly buy franchise Panini Media’s Bruno Zarka relieving Marvel of all obligations. Under the new ownership, Panini rights for collectables and publishing evolving for the last 50 years but has not, most of Panini’s key markets and they embarked on a series of acquisi- covering the whole world or perhaps previously, strayed far beyond our prin- perform the key disciplines of sales, tions in the U.S. that brought an for a region,” said Warsop. “As such cipal activity of printed entertainment marketing and distribution in their own exclusive license to produce NBA we would sometimes find that in some products,” he said. “As we see more and and surrounding territories. A team of (basketball) trading cards (2009); countries the franchise would be too more interactive media opportunities, regional and area managers look after the the Texas-based Donruss, which underexposed for us to launch our mass both stand-alone and those that support others,” he said. came with NFL (American football) market products successfully. Faced with and promote our printed products, it is “Panini Media is a department within trading cards licenses (2009) and this scenario we had the choice of either a natural progression to see Panini now The Licensing Machine, the group’s the NHL (hockey) license (2010). not launching everywhere or helping to involved in all areas of the multimedia licensing agency, which has the task of Also in 2010, Panini acquired a create the right level of awareness of the world. servicing the needs of our principals in license to create stickers for the franchise ourselves. The latter option Collectables, such as sticker albums, getting their programs aired on various upcoming London Olympic Games. was one we took on our shoulders trading cards and trading card games are platforms within the multimedia world. Panini’s 2011 revenue was 621 occasionally and this would often mean a favorite pastime and source of reference Panini Media has offices in Modena and million euro ($772 million). finding the right broadcaster to air the for both juveniles and adults all around the U.K., and sales consultants operate program around which we could build a the world and we are actively involved in out of a number of territories. Panini as] Secrets d’Histoire and Inside N.Y.C. program of activity. over 100 territories as the global brand Media’s Sales and Acquisitions manager, Firefighters Secret Training Camp”, said “Around seven years ago we were leader within the product category. Bruno Zarka, works between his French Warsop. recognized as a company that was devel- Collectables put us in touch with mil- office and those in Modena (manage- “Iconic animated series linked to Panini oping new areas and were encouraged lions of consumers, creating a warm and ment and sales and marketing services) Group’s brand legacy in publishing and to consider representing media and mer- interactive association. Add to this our and the U.K. (finance and technical Manga comics [are]: the Naruto series chandise rights, particularly in Europe considerable in-depth marketing activi- services).” and the Simon’s Cat series.” for some Japanese principals. To do jus- ties where we have built a close working Warsop also explained that Panini As far as future plans are concerned, tice to this new area of business, Panini relationship with many broadcasters and Media’s main library is “comprehensive- Warsop said that Panini Media’s imme- quickly realized it would be necessary to media specialists and we are feeling most ly structured around drama TV series diately focusing on the “development of specialize and operate through a separate comfortable within the media sector.” with four major focuses: Pop culture, franchises and series in production or division, which was immediately set up Warsop then explained how Panini with Metal Hurlant Chronicles; crime, pre-production with additional seasons; and now operates under the name of is structured: “The Panini Group is with Jordskott; high concept drama, with development of drama TV series; con- ‘The Licensing Machine’ — an agency privately owned and its management Signs and historical costume stories, with tinued expansion in the depth of our specializing in media, merchandise and holds the significant balance of equity. a new series to be revealed at the upcom- geographic presence; launching a Panini interactive rights. Naruto was one of the The head office is based in Modena, ing MIPCOM 2012. Media Family concept including a fam- very first TV series to be represented. Italy, where many central services are “[As per] documentary drama and his- ily audience drama and animated series; The popular Japanese animation series provided. The main thrusts of Panini’s tory formats, [they’re] structured with a and integrating our actual children’s and is still doing extremely well; we are now operations are orchestrated through a partnership with Societe Europeenne de teen library under this new umbrella preparing to sell the ninth series.” network of subsidiary companies, 100 Production, one of the most recognized with titles like Heroes From Cozy Forest, Warsop also explained Panini’s tradi- percent owned by the group. French producers for iconic audience The Orphans and The New Adventures of tional activities. “The business has been “There are 13 of them situated in leaders in primetime programs [such Poly”.

26 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

TORONTO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL Conferences & Events News SEPTEMBER 6-16 Toronto, Canada Tel: (416) 934-3218 UBIQ DIGITAL MONTREAL WORLD Fax: (416) 967-7860 Wi-Fi OnBoard ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE FILM FESTIVAL Similar to when we see a car-window sign JUNE 18-19 AUGUST 23-SEPT 3 www.tiff.net reading “Baby on Board,” travelers have to be Paris, France Montreal, Canada careful about Wi-Fi onboard airplanes. First of LE RENDEZ-VOUS all we have to be wary of the cost: Over $17 Tel: (33 6) 1620 0331 Tel: (514) 848-3883 on a recent United Airlines flight from Los SEPTEMBER 9-13 Angeles to New York City. The flight lasts www.ubiqparis.com Fax: (514) 848-3886 about six hours and the average life of a laptop VideoAge bonus distribution ww.ffm-montreal.org Biarritz, France computer battery is less than four, and many Tel: (33 1) 4053 2300 aircrafts don’t have electrical plugs. Plus, of the six hours onboard, the Wi-Fi can only be NATPE BUDAPEST VENICE FILM FESTIVAL Fax: (33 1) 4053 2301 JUNE 26-28 AUGUST 29-SEPT 8 utilized for about four since the service kicks www.tvfrance-intl.com in at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). Budapest, Hungary Venice, Italy Under these conditions, a passenger could take VideoAge bonus distribution advantage of the W-Fi service for, at the most, Tel: (310) 453-4440 Tel: (39 041) 521 8882 three hours, mainly to go over a few e-mails Fax: (310) 453-5258 Fax: (39 041) 522 7539 PRIX ITALIA and check the news headlines. This means that www.natpebudapest.com www.labiennale.org the cost for the service is close to $6 per hour, SEPTEMBER 16-21 which is not bad if one could be charged by the VideoAge bonus distribution VideoAge bonus distribution time used, and not for the full fee. Torino, Italy Tel: (39 06) 3686 2352 Fax: (39 06) 3723 966 www.prixitalia.rai.it VideoAge bonus distribution

ROMA FICTION FEST SEPTEMBER 25-30 Rome, Italy Tel: (39 06) 684 1261 Fax: (39 06) 6830 0339 www.romafictionfest.it VideoAge bonus distribution

MIPCOM JUNIOR OCTOBER 6-7 Cannes, France Tel: (212) 370-7470 Fax: (212) 370-7471 www.mipcomjr.com VideoAge bonus distribution

MIPCOM OCTOBER 8-11 Cannes, France Tel: (212) 370-7470 Fax: (212) 370-7471 www.mipcom.com VideoAge bonus distribution

SPORTELMONACO OCTOBER 15-18 Monaco, Monte-Carlo Tel: (377) 9330 2032 Fax: (377) 9330 2033 www.sportelmonaco.com VideoAge bonus distribution

AFM OCTOBER 31-NOV 7 Santa Monica, CA, U.S. Tel: (310) 446-1000 Fax: (310) 446-1600 www.americanfilmmarket.com VideoAge bonus distribution

28 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2 where the stars align

MIPCOM is the one place where the stars align for your business. The star creators, deal-makers, executives and on-screen talent from TV and Film converge from around the globe to create a new world of entertainment. Discover exciting opportunities

and conferences that can transform into deals at the world’s entertainment content market.

And the children’s entertainment industry gets an early start at MIPJunior, the world’s showcase for kids programming.

8-11 October 2012 Cannes-France 6-7 October 2012

Register, exhibit or advertise now to make the most of your time in Cannes www.mipcom.com My Two Cents MAIN OFFICES 216 EAST 75TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10021 TEL: (212) 288-3933 FAX: (212) 288-3424 VIDEO AGE WEBSITES: www.videoage.org The following My2¢ was “exhumed” from a dusty copy of VideoAge’s 1993 June Issue, which then was www.videoagelatino.com our L.A. Screenings edition. At that time, the Screenings started May 24 and ended June 10, and only the www.videoage.it Latins (excluding Brazil and Mexico) screened together. P.O. BOX 25282 While 19 years ago the Screenings took 18 days, today they take 10 days, including the portion reserved LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 for indies. Then, VideoAge registered fewer than 500 buyers, versus 1,500 today. So the Screenings have VIALE ABRUZZI 30 evolved, but has anything actually changed? Let’s find out! 20123 MILAN, ITALY

YUKARI MEDIA YMI BLDG. 3-3-4, UCHIHIRANOMACHI his is a review of the yet-to-be released book Great Fortunes: What Film & TV CHUO-KU, OSAKA JAPAN Firms Are Making Today (Real Books Publishing Co., 20 pages) by Jim Brean, TEL: (816) 4790-2222 an out-of-work consultant. EDITOR The author’s premise is that today’s mantra seems to be “These are tough DOM SERAFINI times!” While it’s clear that the writer fully understands the industry, he ASSISTANT EDITOR nevertheless challenges the notion that business is getting tough. SARA ALESSI Using data from the Veronis, Suhler and Assoc. reports, Brean compares today’s business environment with the EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS relatively easy-going times of 1989. Revenue of U.S. public filmed entertainment companies was $12 billion in 1989. Five years T ENZO CHIARULLO (ITALY) later, it was estimated at $17 billion; the return on assets for these companies was 4.5 percent. It is not unusual to see companies LUCY COHEN BLATTER today with annual growth rates of 15 to 20 percent. CARLOS GUROVICH Quoting various studios, Brean reports that advertising TV expenditures in the world’s nine key countries was $50 billion in LEAH HOCHBAUM ROSNER 1989, compared to an estimated $70 billion in 1993. Television’s share of advertising expenditures is to reach 34 percent this BOB JENKINS (U.K.) year, versus 33 percent in 1989. The book goes on and on charting the tremendous growth of television and its bright future. AKIKO KOBAYACHI (JAPAN) LORENA SANCHEZ (ARGENTINA) However, Brean could have made the point LEVI SHAPIRO without boring the reader with a sea of numbers. DAVID SHORT (AFRICA) Suffice it to say that in 1989 just 692 companies ERIN SOMERS attended MIP-TV, compared to 803 this year. MARIA ZUPPELLO (BRAZIL) During the past four years, at least 20 new TV CORPORATE AND broadcast networks and 40 cable/satellite TV CIRCULATION OFFICE services have started operating in various parts of 216 EAST 75TH STREET the world. Since 1989, the number of transmitted NEW YORK, NY 10021 TV hours has increased some 60 percent. TEL: (212) 288-3933 Then, abruptly, Brean pops the question: “Why FAX: (212) 734-9033 are these people complaining?” In simple prose, PUBLISHER which remains candid throughout the book (if a MONICA GORGHETTO bit monotonous at times) Brean posits that they BUSINESS OFFICE are complaining about pressure, not the business LEN FINKEL itself. LEGAL OFFICE According to Brean, this pressure is applied ROBERT ACKERMANN mainly in four ways. Shareholders: “These guys STEVE SCHIFFMAN want to see more bang for their buck,” he writes (i.e. more dividends); therefore, managers have WEB MANAGER to worry more about saving it, than making MIKE FAIVRE it. Management: Ever since companies were DESIGN/LAYOUT taken over by bean-counters, the nit-picking is a CARMINE RASPAOLO constant factor. At this point Brean quotes Robert ILLUSTRATIONS J. Samuelson, who wrote in Newsweek: “The style of running big companies changed for the worse. The belief that all problems BOB SHOCHET could be solved by analysis favored the rise of executives who were adept with numbers and making slick presentations. Huge staffs FOUNDED IN 1981 of analysts served these executives, who created conglomerates on the theory that a good manager could manage anything.” MEMBER OF NBCA Brean also cites all those “hip” Wall Street refugees who are driving the former hippies (i.e. current TV executives) crazy. “Just (CIRCULATION) think,” writes Brean, “the only thing that has changed in one generation is a ‘p-i-e’: from hippie to hip!” He concludes, “Finally, VIDEO AGE INTERNATIONAL (ISSN 0278-5013 USPS 601-230) IS PUBLISHED SEVEN TIMES A YEAR: JANUARY, MARCH/APRIL, MAY, they complain because of something that has been felt only recently: Competition. Unfortunately, this is seen as pressure rather JUNE, JULY, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER/DECEMBER. PLUS DAILIES BY than a challenge.” TV TRADE MEDIA, INC. SINGLE COPY U.S.$9.75. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION U.S.$45 (U.S., CANADA, MEXICO); U.S.$60 (U.K. AND EUROPE). © TV TRADE MEDIA INC. 2012. THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF VIDEO AGE So what’s your take? Has anything changed in 19 years? INTERNATIONAL ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT IN THE U.S., U.K., AND ALL COUNTRIES SIGNATORY TO THE BERNE CONVENTIO AND THE Dom Serafini PAN-AMERICAN CONVENTION. SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO VIDEO AGE INTERNATIONAL, 216 EAST 75TH STREET, SUITE PW, NEW YORK, NY 10021, U.S.A. PURSUANT TO THE U.S. COPYRIGHTS ACT OF 1976, THE RIGHTS OF ALL CONTENT DONE ON ASSIGNMENT FOR ALL VIDEOAGE PUBLICATIONS ARE HELD BY THE PUBLISHER OF VIDEOAGE, WHICH COMMISSIONED THEM.

30 VIDEO • AGE J UNE 2 0 1 2

IT’S HBO®. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME.

• G ET UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 800 HOURS OF YOUR FAVORITE HBO® SHOWS AND MOVIES

• WATCH WHENEVER YOU WANT, WHEREVER YOU ARE, ON YOUR LAPTOP, SMARTPHONE, TABLET OR CONNECTED TV*

• SEE SELECTED SERIES AND HIT FILMS BEFORE THEY PREMIERE ON HBO®

• ALL STREAMING IN HD QUALITY

HBO GOSM is only accessible in certain territories where a high speed broadband and wi-fi connection is available. Some restrictions may apply. ©2012 Home Box Offi ce, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Offi ce, Inc. iPad®, iPod touch® and iPhone® are trademarks of Apple Inc. *Connected TV capability is not yet available outside of Hungary. hbogo.eu