C NTENTASIA Data • Buyers •

Home , Bloomberg Television, DreamWorks Channel, KidsCo, The Rippling Blossom

programming • schedules • C NTENTASIA data • buyers •

www.contentasia.tv Issue 126: 5-18 September 2011 what’sinside Biggest BCWW ever wraps in Seoul All eyes on formats, 3D, K-pop & new channels My 360º Life Justin Weng, Celestial Pictures ContentAsia’s regular 2011 section asks media execs what downtherabbithole differences the latest gadgets, tablets, applications & other tech wonders are making to What’s really going on their lives and thoughts. out there page 10 FIC, StarHub renewal? INproduction Great, but hardly a surprise. Xanthus Digital Picture (Taiwan) Will SingTel take advan- A who’s who of production tage of the non-exclusive houses across Asia Pacific. environment it pushed so hard page 12 for? Who knows... plus Medi- aCorp xinmsn.com catch up Programming rights extend to Hong Kong. TVB expands reach Did the Singapore monopoly Hong Kong’s dominant free-TV broadcaster really buy global broadcaster reigns in its do- online rights to shows like Glee mestic market, with shows like Taiwan’s Pili International Multimedia characters on the BCWW market floor and The Gates? Or did some- The Rippling Blossom, Ghetto one just forget to turn on the Justice and Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! CJ E&M’s apparently unquench- three-day Broadcast Worldwide geo-block? page 5 able appetite for international (BCWW) market and conven- formats, the equally unquench- tion, which wrapped in Seoul on able regional thirst for rights to Friday, 2 September. When the official announcement finally came on 1 Sep- Sony Pictures TV Nets’ One the latest, hottest and highest- 231 exhibitors from 50 coun- tember, Singapore pay-TV If acquisition execs in Asia rating Korean dramas, Korean tries set up on the show floor platform StarHub and Fox Inter- are looking anew at series newspaper groups’ new TV this year, making it the biggest national Channels (FIC) simply from Taiwan and the Philip- channels, and, of course, 3D in the event’s history, organisers TV, were the talk of this year’s More on page 3 confirmed what everyone had pines, there’s still absolutely no known for sure for a month at shortage of takers for Korean least – that their latest renewal drama. And few regional pay- Sundance debuts new Venice gloss for something like 30 channels TV players are riding the seem- was non-exclusive. ingly never-ending Korean Rivers, Braxton & weddings for 2nd b’day celebrations All you had to do (which we drama wave better than One, did) to find out was call SingTel the entertainment channel As it heads for its second anni- Braxton and weddings galore on from 1 August – the implemen- Singapore-based Sony Pictures versary in Asia at the end of this women’s network WE tv. tation date from which any Television Networks launched year, AMC/Sundance Channel Sundance’s original program- channel with an exclusive con- in October 2010. The channel Global is adding original content ming, Sundance Channel tract had to be offered on rival remains the outfit’s biggest lo- from the Venice Film Festival to Presents The Venice Film Festi- platforms – to be told there was cal play in Asia. Sundance Channel’s schedule val, premiered this weekend (3 nothing to offer. page 13 for the first time, and putting new September). series starring Joan Rivers, Tony More on page 5 More on page 9

01 Trade Ad_The Voice_Content Asia_FA2.pdf 2 8/10/11 12:16 PM www.globotvinternational.com

5-18 September 2011 02 5-18 September 2011 s Who was at... BCWW 2011’s buyers night Participants at the show this stuff2know year highlighted the strong advantage of attending a show Sony’s China head exits on the ground in Korea, and Sony Pictures Television’s China meeting local players on their head, Jiande Chen, is exiting home turf. the company after 12 years. On the market floor in Asia for Chen was SPT’s chief repre- the first time with its new brand- sentative, vice president and ing was A+E Networks. Regional general manager, distribution, director Ling Sze Gan said the China. No reasons were given show was a positive opportunity for Chen’s departure. for face-to-face meetings with Korean buyers, some of whom did TVB’s Chan cleared Jean Choi, Sebastian Kim, CJ E&M Mike Kang, Kenneth Kim, CJ E&M not come to MIP and MIPCOM. Hong Kong TVB general Up at the front of the exhibi- manager, Stephen Chan, tion floor with Korea’s big three has been cleared of all fraud broadcasters – KBC, MBC and and bribery charges in a le- SBS – was Korea’s 50-member gal battle that has run since 3D association as well as educa- March 2010. tional broadcaster EBS, with its spectacular new 3D production, Phoenix debuts web show Angkor, The Land of Gods. Phoenix New Media has EBS, which involved thousands launched its first original web of actors to bring to life the glory talk show, Let’s Talk Honestly. days of Angkor Wat, says this is The show drew more than Fotini Paraskakis, FremantleMedia Anita Barnard, Passion Distribution; the world’s first 3D documentary five million viewers in its first Asia; Triandy Suyatman, ElshintaTV, Cecilia Riviera, Televisa Internacional to recreate the Khmer Empire. four days, Phoenix said. Phoe- Indonesia; Amrita Sindhu, Fremantle- On the 3D association stand, nix bosses are planning for Media Enterprises Realscope Korea’s Jefferson more as the company pushes Kim said the cost of making 3D further into the online space. BCWW: from page 1 preferred a different voting split programmes had dropped from Hosted by Phoenix Satellite Korea Creative Content Agency between judges and viewers for double the price of 2D to about TV’s Linjia Yuchi, Let’s Talk (KOCCA) said. season one, but went with the 30% more. Realscope produced Honestly involves 15 young Formats in Korea are hot and BBC’s 50-50. “We think 70-30 is more than 100 3D titles in 2010, people talking about every- getting hotter, although there better,” he said, adding: “There and says strong demand from thing from lifestyle trends to are clearly flash-points – or at isn’t a right answer... we need to government units is making a posi- relationships. the very least some lively dis- find the most practical answer”. tive difference to the country’s cussion – over things like voting Lim readily admitted that Ko- stereoscopic 3D industry. Projects Boy joins Bandila in new slot and sponsorship between local rea was in the early stages of include presentations for events ABS-CBN’s Bandila news producers/broadcasters and its love affair with formats – and such as the Korea Olympics bid, shows is being moved from international rights holders. particularly audition formats. “In and cutting-edge trials of live 3D week nights at 11.20pm into MBC’s Yeon-Sang Lim said Korea, suddenly audition formats broadcasts of surgeries. an earlier slot from 12 Sep- during a session at the Global have become really popular. In Google Korea drew attention tember. The show’s anchors Media Forum conference that our case, we want to invest a lot to the country’s mega-wired en- – Karen Davila, Julius Babao, the broadcaster was already in a variety show that we can run vironment during the forum. Jae- and Ces Orena-Drilon – will “thinking about” improving the for a long time,” he said. Hoon Jung, Google/YouTube be joined by Boy Abunda system for the second season of FremantleMedia Asia’s Fotini strategic partner manager, said from early October. Abunda BBC Worldwide format Dancing Paraskakis told delegates that the company was looking at previously hosted Showbiz with the Stars. three FremantleMedia formats launching a paid VOD platform News Ngayon (SNN), which Season one of the format – were being made in Korea – Ko- in Korea, possibly in 2012. Details is being axed. BBC Worldwide’s first format sale rea’s Got Talent, Love Switch (the have not been finalised, and are in Korea – premiered in June tar- local version of Take Me Out) and likely to depend on trials and Matsuda stars NHK drama getting the 30+ age group; AGB Project Runway Korea. results in the U.S., he said. Nielsen Media Research figures At the same time, demand for Jung said YouTube already Japanese singer Seiko Mat- quoted in local media put the Korean drama remains at record had partnerships with Korea’s suda – long dubbed the 10 June episode in top spot in its levels, most buyers say. However, broadcasters, music labels and eternal idol – has been cast in timeslot with 13%. Season one’s pricing can be something of a content creators, including the Japanese public broadcaster average national rating was sore point, and programming big three free-TV broadcast- NHK’s 2012 period drama, 16%, rising even higher in Seoul, bosses from major broadcasters – KBS, MBC and SBS. He also Taira no Kiyomori, which will Lim said, adding that he was ers in Asia say competition is said online success expanded air in the five-decades-old “really surprised” that dancing threatening to drive prices to the market and that for some Sunday night drama slot. Korean content, 30% of online Taira no Kiyomori is NHK’s 51st was so popular in Korea. “I had unaffordable levels. Some say historical drama. concerns,” he admitted. prices today are 50 times higher views were from Korea and 70% Lim also said MBC would have than they were in 2003. from the rest of the world.

03 NEW LOCATION RIVIERA HALL ENTERTAINMENT THE R37.20 WORLD IS WATCHING

If it’s stylish and for sale, they’ll refurbish and resell.

8 x 60 min ·

FORMAT Science separates fact from ﬁ ction.

30 x 60 min (3 seasons) ·

FORMAT

Behind the world’s most daring prison breaks.

12 x 30 min ·

Cocky drivers, remote Tough love as control technology, and parents help their real cars! kids buy a home.

FORMAT Produced by: Blink Films for UKTV (UK) 26 x 30 min · 8 x 60 min ·

Take the challenge to take the cash.

39 x 30 min (2 seasons) ·

BROWSE AND VIEW HUNDREDS OF TITLES SCREEN ONLINE NOW cineflixrightscreening.com cineflixrights.com

5-18 September 2011 04 5-18 September 2011 sstuff2know2 Hong Kong’s TVB expands primetime dominance Chongqing, Qinghai 94% average share for drama The Rippling Blossom upgrade news gathering Hong Kong's dominant free-TV story of two brothers who compete the first half with the top-rated Chinese broadcasters broadcaster, Television Broadcasts to become sushi master. Valentine’s offering – the movie Chongqing TV and Qinghai Ltd (TVB), reigned supreme for first Other top dramas for the first six Enchanted across all TVB chan- TV have installed Ericsson’s half 2011, upping its prime-time months of this year were Ghetto nels. Enchanted captured 6.4 new Voyager II digital satel- weekday share of mass-market Justice and Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! Ghet- TVRs and 93% share. lite news gathering solution. Cantonese audiences to 86% and to Justice captured average rat- Blockbusters continue to do The new systems will allow its share of English-speaking prime- ings of 30 TVRs (1,916,400 viewers) best on Pearl. Jurassic Park III and stations to deliver live HD and time weekly audiences to 78%. and Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! attracted 29 Pirates of the Caribbean Dead 3D if they want to. Qinghai Cantonese channel Jade’s TVRs (1,852,520 viewers). Man’s Chest each achieved 8 TV broadcasts to five million average audience share in the Sitcoms have also done well TVRs (511,040 viewers). Pearl also people. Chongqing TV has first six month of last year was for the station this year so far. The aired the eight-episode BBC doc- more than four million cable 85%. English-language Pearl’s weekday half-hour series, Show umentary Human Planet in the first subs across Chongqing. share last year was 75%. Jade’s Me The Happy, about a family half; the mega-series attained an weekday prime-time runs from running a medical clinic, finished average rating of 3 TVRs (191,640 NHK launches live 7pm-11pm, Mondays to Fridays. in March with an average rating viewers) and 91% share. radio streaming Pearl’s weekly prime-time runs of 23 TVRs and 86% share. Jade upped its non-drama from 8pm to 1am, Mondays to Show Me the Happy was fol- game at weekends, with new Japan’s public broadcaster Sundays. lowed by Be Home For Dinner, a Sunday prime-time game show NHK launched a live online TVB’s in-house drama, The Rip- family comedy set around a din- All Star Glam Exam (av 27 TVRs), streaming service of three pling Blossom was the territory’s ner table, which achieved an av- and celeb cooking show Kitchen domestic radio channels (Ra- top-rated title from January to end erage rating of 24 TVRs (1,533,120 Diva Louisa and Admiral’s Feast. dio 1, Radio 2 and FM) on 1 June. The series achieved 31 TVRs viewers) and 84% share between TVB reported a record 23% September. The new service, (representing 1.98 million TV view- March and June. profit increase to HK$719 million/ NHK Net Radio or “Radiru ers) and an average share of 94%. English-language channel US$92 million for the first half of Radiru”, will be followed on Set in Hokkaido, the drama tells the Pearl pops into the limelight for this year. 1 October by streaming to smart phones. AMC/Sundance: from page 1 and wanted to expand that,” our goal is to focus on ways that The festival focus includes ce- he says. Festival coverage will we can build on that and do SingTel ups disaster lebrity interviews and coverage be turned around and on air in things that have a local edge.” response involvement of competition films, as well as English within 24 hours, with sub- Singapore telco SingTel has new specials on some of Italy’s titling to follow. signed a corporate social best-known film personalities, Joan Rivers and her daughter responsibility deal with tech such as Sophia Loren and Franco Melissa debut on WE tv in Asia company Ericsson’s volunteer Zeffirelli. in October (ContentAsia Insider, initiative Ericsson Response that Overall, the 15 August 2011). The eight-part will provide emergency com- Venice festival Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows munications during disasters in series will fea- Best? is one of three series South and Southeast Asia. ture five 30- acquired for WE tv. minute and The other two are MBC producers cleared of two 60-minute Braxton Family Values, U.S beef controvery specials, plus starring Tony Braxton Producers at South Korean interstitials and her family (premiering in broadcaster MBC have been that will run November 2011) and the new cleared of intentionally throughout Harold season of My Fair Wedding with exagerating and distorting September. Groenenthal David Tutera (January 2012). a 2008 report that caused Harold Gronenthal, AMC/Sun- Gronenthal says localisation mass protests against U.S. dance Channel Global’s senior is being explored. “We feel beef exports. In a legal bat- vice president and general strongly that people come to tle that lasted for more than manager, says film festivals add Sundance and WE because two years, prosecutors were a unique focus on new films, tal- we provide unique content, going for jail terms for the four ent and celebrity. 95% of which is new to market,” MBC staffers. “We had great success with he says. exclusive coverage in Cannes... “As we move into year three, Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?

Face to Face with Asia’s Buyers & Programmers 5-6 December 2011, Singapore www. contentasiasummit.com

05 5-18 September 2011 06 5-18 September 2011

On-demand viewing rises, but broadcast still most common, new report says Broadcast viewing remains the Four Asia-Pacific markets – not been negatively affected to comment on social media most common way for people Australia, China, Taiwan and by the internet in the same way about ‘terrible’ singers, ‘ugly’ to watch TV – even if viewers are South Korea – participated in that print has; we just watch TV clothing or when your favorite spending less time on regular the global 13-country study of in many more ways than we did team scores a goal,” Erlands- scheduled channels and more 22 qualitative and 13,000 quan- before,” he adds. son says. time on streamed on-demand titative interviews representing The study also shows that so- Good quality remains con- TV online, according to Erics- almost 400 million consumers. cial media usage has impacted sumers top demand from their son’s latest annual ConsumerLab “On-demand viewing is in- the way people watch TV. More TV experiences. Quality is more study, TV & Video Consumer creasingly popular, while broad- than 40% of respondents report important than, for example, the Trend Report 2011. cast viewing has remained using social media on various availability of 3D TV and access Released this month, the as the most common way for devices such as smartphones to applications, the study found. report says more than 44% of people to watch TV,” Ericsson and tablets while watching TV. The report also says that the respondents report watching ConsumerLab’s senior advisor “This communication adds service consumers are most will- internet-based on-demand TV Anders Erlandsson says. another dimension to the TV ing to pay for is new box office more than once a week, while “People want both broadcast experience, as consumers movies, still running at movie about 80% watch broadcast TV and on-demand viewing to be found an annoying reality show theatres, delivered directly to more than once a week. available. TV and video have funnier when they were able their TV sets.

Consumer TV/Video Viewing Habits* Consumer activities while watching TV

84 Scheduled broadcast TV 88 Talking to others 45 Recorded broadcast TV 50 Eating in front of TV 47 Short video clips, e.g. YouTube 44 Browsing the internet DVD/Blu-ray 29 2011 30 Talking on the phone 2010 Streamed on-demand TV shows 33 30 Using social media Downloaded content 29 26 Reading/studying Streamed on-demand movies 25 23 Internet chat Pay-per-view 12 12 Playing games 0 20 40 60 80 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% *the US, the U.K, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan Source: Ericsson Source: Ericsson TV/Video. Percentage of consumer usage (more than once/week).

Al Jazeera marks “9/11 Decade” Bloomberg aims high for new Asia show Seven locations covered in anniversary slate Bloomberg Television went sky 6pm, repeat- high on movers and shakers in ed week- Al Jazeera English marks the 10th marking the occasion. Asia this summer with new inter- ends at 11am anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Other packages will look at view show High Flyers, shot inside and 9.30pm in the U.S. with programming the new ‘security state’ and the Singapore’s landmark big wheel. (S’pore/HK). anchored from the U.S. as well as increase in surveillance, the East The show features execs such as High Fly- locations subsequently affected Africa bombings in 1998 which Sandiaga Uno, co-founder of ers is hosted – Kabul, Baghdad, London, Bali, were a pre-cursor to 9/11, the Indonesia’s Saratoga Capital. by Haslinda Madrid and Guantanamo Bay. war in Iraq and neoconservative High Flyers airs on Thursdays at Amin. Haslinda Amin The Doha-based network says policies, Muslim world attitudes of the 9/11 Decade slate will tell sto- the U.S. after the Arab Awaken- ries from the U.S. and examine the ing, and pop culture emerging global impact the day had “on from 9/11. Satellite bosses head for Bali nations, individuals and attitudes The anniversary schedule also Satellite activity in Indonesia and bition (APSCC 2011, 27-29 Sept). in the decade that followed”. includes feature-length docu- Southeast Asia moves into high Themed All Eyes on Satellite, In the week leading up to the mentaries, including the specially gear at end September as the this is the first time the annual anniversary, the channel will carry commissioned three-part series regional industry gathers in Bali event is being held in Indone- daily reports from Gabriel Elizondo on the 9/11 Decade directed for the 14th Asia-Pacific Satellite sia. This year’s agenda focuses as he drives across the U.S. to see and produced by Dominic Communications, Broadcasting on opportunities in mainstream how different communities are Streatfeild. and Space Conference and Exhi- markets.

07 A Division of NBCUniversal

5-18 September 2011 08 5-18 September 2011 letters whatireallythink China crackdown on pirate products Online sites told to report IP status quarterly Viewers the losers in also said 18 online sites, including new S’pore pay-TV rule Mainland Chinese intellectual operations from October 2010 property authorities confiscated to June this year, according to youku.com and video.sina.com. I saw your tweet about Singa- more than 13 million illegal audio/ mainland Chinese news agency cn, had been told to report the pore’s pay-TV #crosscarriage video products and print publi- Xinhua. Quoting the General IP status of content on their sites and I think many people, cations and cracked down on Administration of Press and Publi- to authorities on a quarterly basis. including my colleagues and more than 660 pirate production cation (GAPP), the Xinhua report Anti-piracy initiatives will continue. friends whom I’ve spoken to, are getting the wrong idea about this matter. Singapore: from page 1 of Singapore multichannel time, that Singapore’s entertainment For starters, I don’t recall If there was a surprise, it was way way before regulators turned environment is more lively than it there being a promise of “all the inclusion of Singapore’s their attention to the issue. has ever been. How much of this channels available to every- regulatory body, the Media De- What we also know is that SingTel has to do with the cross-carriage one” on one platform. What I velopment Authority (MDA), in hasn’t reached any agreement environment? Not so much. How understand is that all exclusive the announcement. There may with FIC, which means driver chan- much of the stellar content avail- contracts signed after March be a precedent for featuring nels remain firmly, and very effec- able in Singapore has to do with regulators in commercial carriage tively exclusively, on StarHub. high-speed broadband? A lot. have to be cross-carried from deals, but we can neither find nor SingTel is free to go after FIC Meanwhile, we’re asking: How 1 August. But lo and behold, remember one. channels, including Nat Geo, and is pay-TV cross-carriage good for there weren’t any exclu- What it indicates to us is the will be free to go after the other the consumer right now? Answer: sive contracts signed after importance authorities have at- Big Brand packages, like HBO and We don’t know. Have Singapore’s March. tached to this first major carriage Discovery, when their contracts pay-TV prices dropped? No. Do we The new arrangement contract under Singapore’s new come up for renewal because still need two boxes if we want eve- makes perfect sense for Sing- pay-TV world order... and how who, honestly, is going to bother rything. Yes. And we’re happy to Tel and StarHub, because if determined they are to highlight with the hassle that comes with have them, along with every other they want a channel, they the value of a new system in a exclusivity these days. Much easier device known to humankind. can get it without much community that isn’t necessarily to just be common. And program- We’re not saying all the energy trouble. convinced but has absorbed new mers are free to stick to a price that went into crafting Singapore’s Pay-TV broadcasters no realities and moved forward. they feel values their channels at new environment was wasted. longer have the privilege of MDA chief executive, Aubeck what they’re worth. Regulators are We’re just saying it’s not so clear charging a premium for ex- Kam, spoke about enhancing staying well away from involve- right now what the benefit is/was. clusivity, but can choose who competition in the media market ment in those kinds of commercial Unlike channels that may have lost they want to do business with. “so as to promote the interest arrangements. their exclusive premium without So it’s not all a loss for them. of consumers and the pay-TV The multi-million dollar question gaining dual revenues from two My prediction is that the big industry as a whole”. Kam said is what kind of haircut FIC might carriage deals, we’re patient. We brands are going to be availa- since the cross-carriage measure have taken signing a non-exclu- can afford to wait and see. ble on both platforms as soon was signed on 12 March 2010, a sive renewal. FIC isn’t saying if it as their exclusive contracts number of non-exclusive content did – or didn’t. Meanwhile... we are loving being end (by 2014). But I won’t deals had been closed, “resulting Will SingTel take advantage of able to watch Singapore mo- expect the niche ones to be in more common channels being the non-exclusive playing field? nopoly broadcaster MediaCorp’s on both. So who’s the biggest offered by pay-TV retailers”. No sign so far. Rather, the telco has xinmsn.com catch-up service in loser? Viewers. Because they’ll Would these niche/special come out swinging for new local Hong Kong. Especially since Hong still have to have two set-top interest/nice-but-non-driver language services, including a Hok- Kong broadcaster TVB’s catch-up boxes if they want the best of channels have gained carriage kien channel we think will be a hit. platform is a bit of a mystery. both worlds. on both platforms anyway, like SingTel’s Singapore boss, Allen Lew, Criminal Minds, The Gates, Exclusive contracts are others before them? Would they says to expect more in this vein. Glee, Taiwanese drama Love... dead. But exclusive content? ever, regulations or none, have Will StarHub reconnect with the all gloriously un-geo-blocked. I don’t think so. It’s reincarnat- attracted an exclusive premium? Premiere League and ESPN Star We’re thinking either MediaCorp ing into a new form. Although Maybe. Maybe not. No pricing Sports (ESS), which SingTel lured forgot to flip the switch that would I do think the word ‘exclusive’ details or contract terms have away with hundreds of millions keep blockbuster series within will become somewhat of a been disclosed, so there’s no way of dollars? Maybe. One thing we Singapore. Or they negotiated taboo in the industry. of telling what might have incen- know for sure is that the platform, multi-territory rights and kept very It’s quite brilliant actually. tivised the deals. which didn’t lose any subscribers quiet about it. How this whole thing has been What we do know is that non- when ESS and BPL crossed sides, Either way, we truly get to disguised as an attempt to exclusive – just like exclusive – isn’t mourning the absence of the watch favourite shows wherever ‘save’ viewers from having carriage has been a Singapore massive drain on its budget. we are in the world. Now that’s a two set-top boxes, when the pay-TV reality since the beginning All in all, there’s little question consumer benefit. real ones being saved are actually SingTel and StarHub from their never-ending, bloody Face to Face with Asia’s Buyers & Programmers war of exclusive contracts. 5-6 December 2011, Singapore Haikal Jamari, Singapore The original letter has been edited www. contentasiasummit.com for length.

09 5-18 September 2011 iPads changed our lives, apps are our new best friends, you’re either engaging with social media or risking ir- relevance, and being liked is the next great measure. ContentAsia’s 2011 section, My 360° Life, asks media industry execs what differences the latest gadgets, tablets, applications & other tech wonders are making to their lives and thoughts – on the job and off.

Justin Weng, Vice President, Game Development and Licensing, Celestial Pictures

Where do you begin taking allows people to view content a movie/TV property into the just means more opportunities to gaming space? What’s the first access and experience content thing you do? “Using the game within their busy schedules. This is for our movie My Kingdom as why we are taking a transmedia an example, our goal was to approach to our content.” create a promotional game to introduce the movie to audi- What’s the most innovative 360º ences on a very tight budget. ‘thing’ you have seen in Asia so With that in mind, we created far? “Weibo, China’s largest so- a simple and fun casual game cial network and micro-blogging that would be accessible for all site. Weibo may not be wholly audiences, rather than some original like Twitter or Facebook, fighting game for hardcore but politically and socially, it has gamers. The first step was to changed the way many Chinese review all of the movie materials perceive the world and follow we had on hand, such as the up on domestic events.” approved film stills and score, and decide which game genre What, for you, is the most chal- would be best to maximise the lenging part of living and working use of those materials.” across multiple platforms? “For me, the most challenging part What’s the biggest difference (If is testing and debugging. You there is one) the multi-device don’t know what will happen For users, the multi-device world consumption environment – in- with your game in all platforms. is great, but from the view of the cluding tablets – has made to There will always be unexpected the way people interact with bugs incurred due to integration, developer, it is very challenging... games or to the way you de- as the hardware and software [it has to be] equally fun when playing velop games? “From the point are developed by different com- online via a web browser or playing on an of view of a user, a multi-device panies and not all the technical world is great, but from the information is accessible.” iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.” view of the developer, it is very challenging. For every game, Is social media useful to you in a obtained certain rewards from Is there anything you wish you have to consider the user business sense? “Social media the game.” would be happening in the control input and game play has transformed our lives – at 360º environment that isn’t experience for various devices. least for those of us living a 360º How many times a day do you happening yet? “A “solomo” It can be difficult to duplicate lifestyle – and the same applies Google people/places/prod- (social + local + mobile) ap- the same game play experience to our business. One of the keys ucts? “It varies, but I would say at plication that combines users’ across all devices. For My King- of social media is word-of- least a couple of times a day.” online and offline social circles, dom, we tried to make it equally mouth, which is crucial to the integrate entertainment and fun when playing it online via a marketing of content. For our Has your attitude towards pri- practical/ professional use web browser or playing it on an game, we specifically designed vacy changed in the last few of internet by customised lo- iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.” it with Sina Weibo (China’s larg- years because of social media? cal services, and provides a est social network platform with “No. The leakage of private infor- 360º solution to user’s needs What difference have devices 200 million users) connectiv- mation is not created by social of communication, entertain- such as iPads, smartphones and ity. This means that players with media, i.e. Social media is not ment, shopping and mobile tablets made on the way people Weibo accounts can post their the creator or exposing party of payment. Celestial’s next consume Celestial Pictures con- scores directly to their Weibo secrets, it’s more a role of amplify- game project will include tent in Asia Pacific? “The popu- status updates as well as let their ing and disseminating the private those elements to exploit such larity of portable devices which friends know when they have information, once it’s leaked.” new market opportunities.”

010 3 - 6 October 2011 Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France www.mipcom.com

A full year of content sales in just 4 days Only at MIPCOM can 12,000 distributors, buyers, producers, commis- Deals get done. sioners and licensing agents sign new business, cement partnerships and showcase the next generation of content.

Get deals done with the people that matter to your business

The world’s entertainment content market

MIPCOM_ContentAsia_sept_192x250.indd 1 5-18 September17/08/11 2011 09:04011 inproduction

ContentAsia’s INproduction looks at local production houses, what they’re making and what they’re thinking.

Traces Yameme Yameme

Xanthus Digital Picture Ltd (Taiwan)

Elevator pitch Taiwanese production house cat becomes Ona, the incarnation of good, (VOD), Imagic Media (DVD marketing), Icon Xanthus focuses on developing and producing who fights on the side of the Aboriginals. The Connecting Creativity (merchandise), Ching full 3D animation and character design. Mostly crow transforms into the three-eyed Corbu, Win Publishing Group (publishing) involved in animation for kids. Very keen on the cruel governor of the ancient island and regional and international co-production. incarnation of evil. Carla and Toni become Thanks... among others, the Taiwan govern- involved in the struggle between good and ment’s Industrial Development Bureau and Most recently in the headlines for... Selling evil, using their modern knowledge to help Government Information Office for its support Traces, a co-pro with Swiss animation studio An- the oppressed people of the 17th century. in growing the business from a service outfit to imagination, to global channel KidsCo. Traces is They also learn from the ancient inhabitants developing its own content and brands. KidsCo’s first Chinese animated acquisition. the importance of respecting nature, pro- tecting the environment, and how to master What would you most like to see happen in Who’s who Bruce Yao, CEO; Chris Woo, ex- present problems and create a better future Asia’s production industry? “In recent years, ecutive producer; So.a, creative director; with experiences from the past. there are many companies working hard on Dennis Cai, animation director developing content for their own animation Yameme (2011) 26x12 mins. The story of cheer- in the Chinese animation industry. I hope Full time employees 25 ful and mischievous Yameme and shy prince that in the near future, among the Chinese Demio takes place in a world of monsters animation industry, star corporations similar Production hours a year 312 mins TV content where there are only two cities – one in the to Disney, 20th Century Fox and Dreamworks East and one in the West. The huge cultural will be born.” Bruce Yao, CEO Budgets about US$1.5 million per TV season differences create many conflicts. Trying to solve the problem, Western prince Demio If there was one thing you would do to make Equipment and facilities 3D software: Maya. relocates to the lively Yama City in the East as a positive difference to local production in 2D software: Photoshop, Aftereffect. Editing a diplomat. There he lives with all kinds of Chi- Asia, what would it be? “I would like to devel- film software: Adobe Premiere. Develops ren- nese monsters ruled by Chinese Monster King op animation with African content because der farm management system in-house. Has Yama and his daughter Yameme. Through African culture is full of exoticism to us. African 50 PC workstation computers. HD capabilities: Demio and Yameme’s adventures, audiences art and imagery have great potential to be 3 PC workstations and HD monitor, AdobePre- see how earthquakes are caused by an un- developed into animation. Also, Africa might miere editing. derground bull monster, and how a flying dog be full of business opportunities in the future, causes moon eclipses, and also how Yameme like China and India now.” Bruce Yao, CEO Recent productions Traces (2010), 24x13 mins. helps the Monkey King rescue his master. Win- Synopsis: A time-travelling adventure that ner of Asia Television Forum SuperPitch. What’s the hardest part (if there is one) of opens when highway construction near the producing television content in Asia? “The village of Cat-Mountain uncovers an ancient Co-produces with Swiss Animagination, Swiss hardest part is the content length. People cave filled with skeletons. Carla and Toni maunoir studio, Malaysia Frame Motion. demand animation to be broadcast daily follow the cat and the crow into the cave, instead of weekly in Asia. It is very tough and and enter a world of 400 years ago, filled Rights arrangements Keep all rights and dis- painful for the producers and directors to with beauty but also the cruelty of colonis- tributes its own content with partners such as quickly produce animation in great quantities ing forces against Aboriginal culture. The Allrights Entertainment (film), Portico Media and high quality.” Bruce Yao, CEO

Full profiles of Asia’s leading production houses & more at www.asiacontentwatch.com

5-18 September 2011 012 www.asiacontentwatch.com

One by Malena Amzah

If acquisition execs in Asia are ment channel Singapore-based (based on 22-28 August 2011 who we know and love from, looking anew at drama from Sony Pictures Television Networks schedule). Variety shows com- among other series, Lovers in Taiwan and the Philippines, launched at the beginning of prise about 23% of the schedule Paris, Lovers in Prague and, sim- there’s still absolutely no short- October last year. The channel (just over 38 hours) and music airs ply, Lovers. age of takers for Korean drama. remains the outfit’s biggest local for about 10 hours (6%) a week. The promise is to offer the most And few regional pay-TV players play in Asia. The high-definition channel current, well-received Korean are riding the seemingly never- Korean drama makes up 71% is powered by an output deal titles as close as possible to the ending Korean drama wave of the weekly schedule, with just with Korean free-TV broadcaster, original telecast in Korea. better than One, the entertain- under 120 hours of programming Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), More on page 14

Day/ Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Time 22-Aug-11 23-Aug-11 24-Aug-11 25-Aug-11 26-Aug-11 27-Aug-11 28-Aug-11 6am 6am: K-Hits 6am: K-Hits 6am: K-Hits 6am: K-Hits 6am: K-Hits 6am: K-Hits 6am: K-Hits 6.30am: New 6.30am: New 6.30am: New 6.30am: New 6.30am 6.30am: Heroes Gisaeng Story Gisaeng Story Gisaeng Story Gisaeng Story 6.30am: Running 6.30am: Family Man Comes Here 7.50am 7.50am: TV Animal 7.50am: City 7.50am: City 7.50am: Warrior 7.50am: Warrior Farm Hunter Hunter Baek Dong Soo Baek Dong Soo 7.55am 7.55am: Heroes 9.10am 9.10pm: You 9.10pm: You 9.10pm: You 9.10pm: You 9.10pm: You Don’t Don’t Know Don’t Know Don’t Know Don’t Know 9.15am Know Women Women Women Women Women 7.55am: New 10.25am Gisaeng Story 9.15am: Two 10.35am: Smile, 10.35am: Smile, 10.35am: Smile, 10.35am: Smile, 10.35am: Smile, Wives 10.35am Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!

11.50am: K-pop 11.50am 11.50am: Running 11.50am: Star 11.50am: Family 11.50am: Strong Countdown Man King Comes Here Heart 12.55pm (Inkigayo) 12.55pm: Big 12.55am: Big 1.15pm Thing Thing 1.15pm: New 1.15pm: New 1.15pm: New 1.15pm: New 1.15pm: K-pop Gisaeng Story Gisaeng Story Gisaeng Story Gisaeng Story 2.10pm Countdown (Inkigayo) 2.10pm: Nobody 2.10pm: Nobody 2.30pm But You But You 2.30pm: City 2.30pm: City 2.30pm: Warrior 2.30pm: Warrior 2.35pm 2.35pm: TV Animal Hunter Hunter Baek Dong Soo Baek Dong Soo Farm 3.25pm 3.25pm: Strong 3.25pm: Star King 3.45pm: You 3.45pm: You 3.45pm: You 3.45pm: You Heart 3.45pm 3.45pm: You Don’t Don’t Know Don’t Know Don’t Know Don’t Know Know Women 4.50pm Women Women Women Women 4.50pm: K-pop 4.50pm: TV Countdown Animal Farm 5.10pm (Inkigayo) 5.10pm: Smile, 5.10pm: Smile, 5.10pm: Smile, 5.10pm: Smile, 5.10pm: Smile, Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! 6.15pm: Warrior 6.15pm: Warrior 6.15pm Baek Dong Soo Baek Dong Soo

119.45hrs/71% Drama 38.25hrs/23% Variety 10.3hrs/6% Music

Source: One

The full schedule along with more than 70 others is available at www.asiacontentwatch.com

5-18 September 2011 013 buyertalk

ContentAsia’s ongoing focus on Asia’s most important buyers explores how they think and what they want.

Dennis Young, Chief Executive Officer, Glocal Media Networks Inc

Dennis Young, chief executive How much of a programme/ What do you find most difficult officer of Glocal Media Networks episodes of a series do you about the programming/ac- Inc, buys movies, sports, lifestyle, watch before you decide to quisition process? “Educating childrens and drama series in buy? “Anywhere between one some of the sellers about the Tagalog (Philippines), Mandarin to five episodes.” different formats, windows and and Vietnamese languages. platforms.” Young acquires cable, satellite Do you remember the first pro- and IPTV rights for channels includ- gramme/series you ever bought Is there anything you wish ing VivaTV/VivaTV Plus, a Tagalog and what you were thinking programme licensing and dis- movie channel; Vietnamese at the time? “I’ve been in the tribution people would do that What programme do you watch channel Thuan Viet; and Taiwan- industry for almost the last 20 they are not doing now? “Make most often for your own enjoy- ese Momo Kids. Founded in 2005, years. Nothing really stood all of their materials available ment? “Movies and documen- Glocal Media Networks is involved out.” on-line.” taries.” in the production, acquisition and aggregation of content. If money were no object, which What do you think the most im- The key trade events that you three programmes would you portant part of your job is? “Not will be attending this year a? What kinds of sales pitches do buy tomorrow? “The 2012 be too caught up with the latest “Mipcom, Casbaa, Asia Televi- you respond best to? “Low pres- Olympics, the World Cup and trends and miss the bigger and sion Forum (ATF) and Broadcast sure type.” Vietnam Idol.” longer picture.” Asia.”

Full list of Asia’s buyers and programmers at... www.asiacontentwatch.com

One: from page 13 9.05pm) and ending with long One has three feeds, including running series (9.05pm-11.45pm). a standard-definition feed with The variety belt is at 6.25pm. Chinese subtitles and select shows On weekends, One airs omni- dubbed in Mandarin. One HD is bus catch-up blocks of drama the high-definition version of the series shown on weekdays (Sat- SD feed, and One (Malay), an urdays, 9.15am-12.55pm). New SD feed with Malay subtitles and drama episodes air on Saturdays select shows dubbed in Malay. and Sundays at 2.10pm and All three are available on Sin- 8.45pm. gapore cable platform StarHub. The most-watched genres in- One HD is carried on Malaysia’s clude long running drama series Astro, where, five months after (more than 30 episodes) such as launch, the channel’s full-day Smile, Mommy!, mini-series (16-20 ratings were four times higher episodes) such as City Hunter, which One premiered within a than its closest HD competitor. City Hunter So far, One is the only dedi- month from broadcast in Korea, cated channel targeting Malay and effectively marketed service been easier to get viewers as well as music and variety, audiences with Korean content. within the short window between excited about the brand. The such as K-pop Countdown, Run- And the effort is clearly paying the Korean telecast and the One popularity of the genre also ning Man and Star King. off. Viewers in Malaysia spent an premier, says Virginia Lim, senior meant that it was easier for our Tentpole shows for the next six average of almost two hours on director, programming, Animax affiliate partners to see the huge months include Protect the Boss, the channel, the second-longest Asia and One. potential of One,” Lim says. a romantic 16-episode drama duration among the 125 chan- The easiest part is the huge One’s prime-time runs from series premiering 12 September nels available on Astro (source: popularity of Korean program- 5.10pm to 11.45pm daily for all (Mondays, Tuesdays, 9.05pm- Peoplemeter, AGB NMR Malay- ming in Asia. “The K-wave is three feeds. Long-running series 10.20pm) and music show K- sia, 1 Jan 2011-21 Feb 2011). showing no signs of abating so and variety shows are scheduled pop Countdown (Wednesdays The network’s biggest challenge we are delivering the content in early prime (5.10pm-7.05pm), fol- 6.25pm-7.50pm), which premiers is to maintain a truly localised that people want and it has lowed by the latest series (7.05pm- on 14 September.

014 conTenTASIA summit

Faceto Face withAsia’sBuyers&Programmers 5-6 December 2011, Singapore

www.contentasiasummit.com

Lead Sponsor

Opening Cocktail Sponsor