What Can We Expect in U.S. Television for 2015-2016?
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NATPE 2015 DAY 1 January 20 My 2 Cents: Reserving What Can We Expect in U.S. Latin America tables at exclusive Television for 2015-2016? Comes Home restaurants Page 3 anuary is the month when to NATPE networks pick projects to make INSIDE: Highlights of Jinto pilots, so by now executives t looks like Latin America in the know have an idea of how the is growing well under the new international new season is shaping up. “pink tide,” or left-of-center television fare Yet, for whatever reason, the I government rule that covers most networks had a late start in buying, of the continent (Uruguay, Bolivia, Pages 8-18 so scripts are coming in later Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador than usual. This could be because and Venezuela), in a way that only networks are buying fewer projects COMING UP: The TV the late Argentinean writer Julio than in years past. Networks are Cortázar could have imagined. industry’s salute to beginning to adopt the cable model, sitcom order from director Woody According to the International which is to make fewer bets and give Allen. Also, expect dramas adapted Cesar Diaz more attention to the purchases Monetary Fund, last year the LATAM from features. January 21 made. economy grew by 1.3 percent and In addition, according to The If early pick-ups from the online this year there will be a small channels are any indication, the Los Angeles Times, broadcasters will increase. Television is also expected next season will be tilted toward be scheduling fewer unscripted to follow this trend, with modest VideoAge comedies and dramas with war shows, even though reality TV is a but steady increases in viewership, themes. In the comedy realm, “cheap way to fill primetime.” The advertising and the number of Daily on Amazon made a straight-to-series Times quoted producer Tom Nunan outlets, productions and the go (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 4) RSVP: Parties and Events at NATPE 2015 he invitations to NATPE’s best parties are in the mail. In case Tyou didn’t catch all of them, here’s the list of those you don’t want to miss (as long as you got an invite): Yesterday, there was NATPE’s Welcoming Party, and today there’s NATPE’s Opening Party, NBCUniversal’s (domestic TV) bash, Telemundo Internacional’s luncheon and evening extravaganza, Rentrak’s cocktail reception, Tricon’s cocktail party and Alterna TV’s soirée. All these parties are in addition to today’s NATPE reality luncheon and this afternoon’s happy hour at the exhibition hall (which will be repeated tomorrow). Plus, on Thursday, the happy hour will transform into an afternoon of champagne toasts. Also on Thursday, Tandem will toast Donald Sutherland with a champagne breakfast celebrating animated family adventure movie Pirate’s Passage. Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Tartikoff Awards time, but even (Continued on Page 4) My 2¢ Reserving tables at exclusive restaurants is an American peculiarity that lasts as long as the “fourth” magic word can be used. But mind you, Americans want to impress you, not be impressed. any top-level American film and TV executives get a reputation as difficult, cold and distant people who have a fascination with restaurants. And not know how to speak English, but make believe they don’t in Mjust any restaurants — only the most exclusive order to further aggravate the American patrons. ones. But the fascination is not for the restaurants’ eclectic Now, the tables are assigned according to a specific menus, great wine lists or for the tasty dishes — after all hierarchy. The front tables are for freshmen executives, most executives just order salads and iced tea. No, this the second row for sophomores, the third for juniors and fascination is for a particular table that has to be reserved the back tables for senior-level people. The reason is that just for them. top executives’ presence has to be felt but not openly For a top-level American executive, having a particular seen. Plus, back tables are not in the pathways of running VIDEOAGE DAILY table reserved is just as important and gratifying as having waiters. Once I was invited to a reserved table at the 21 Club AT NATPE clauses in their employment contract for golden parachutes, restaurant in New York City that was the visible pride of stock options and flying first class. my host, but located right in the path of other patrons and KIOSK 600-K This is a peculiar characteristic particular to Americans. waiters, making it impossible to even hold a conversation or MAIN OFFICE: Indeed, Europeans and even Canadians don’t care about hold a fork without being bumped by someone walking by. 216 EAST 75TH STREET STE PW having certain tables reserved at exclusive restaurants. The pecking order of restaurant tables, however, was not NEW YORK, NY 10021 The preference is for established restaurants, not the “hit established by legitimate U.S. business people, but instead TEL: (212) 288-3933 FAX: (212) 288-3424 of the month,” easily recognizable by the Mafiosi, who favored tables by the long lines, rude service and in the back so that they could see WWW.VIDEOAGE.ORG WWW.VIDEOAGELATINO.COM tables that aren’t ready for the time who was in front of them, and WWW.VIDEOAGE.IT they were reserved. These types of at the same time have their back restaurants are for insecure people –– covered by the wall. EDITOR American executives aim to impress, Nevertheless, the reserved DOM SERAFINI not to be impressed. table routine has a cultural basis, ASSISTANT EDITOR SARA ALESSI The president of a Canadian TV since for Americans lunch is an network compared the American important business ceremony to EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS fascination with reserved tables to be savored at restaurants, while ISME BENNIE (CANADA) stars who demand “only red M&Ms dinner is usually reserved for the LUCY COHEN BLATTER CARLOS GUROVICH in their dressing rooms.” family at home. If clients and/or LEAH HOCHBAUM ROSNER But American stars are also colleagues were to be invited to BOB JENKINS (U.K.) fascinated by reserved tables. A few executives’ homes, it would be for CAROLINE INTERTAGLIA NICOLE MEROGNO years ago, the publisher of Las Vegas’ dinner (with the help of a caterer), La Voce — an English-language not lunch. In addition, having a ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MONICA GORGHETTO publication for Italian-Americans reserved table at a restaurant elicits BUSINESS OFFICE for which I’m a contributor — drove a form of respect (not envy) from LEN FINKEL me to a restaurant outside the strip just to see where Frank peers and, if a client is a guest, reinforces the company’s LEGAL OFFICE Sinatra had his favorite back wall table every time he visited solid reputation. ROBERT ACKERMANN, the city. However, it’s also clear that the restaurants’ loyalty STEVE SCHIFFMAN In addition, the reserved table has to come with the rests with the executives’ positions and companies’ status, WEB MANAGER adoration of the maître d’. The American executive has to not with the individuals, and when the employment is MIKE FAIVRE know the maître d’s life story and the maître d’ must know terminated, so is the use of the table. As someone explained DESIGN/LAYOUT CARMINE RASPAOLO his life story: the restaurant becomes an extension of the to me, once the fourth magic word can no longer be ILLUSTRATIONS family. This is why, when a top U.S. executive is in France mentioned, the table is quickly re-assigned. What’s the BOB SHOCHET and the maître d’ is more interested in making sure that the fourth magic word? “John Doe from NBC” (or any other restaurant runs efficiently than in pouring his soul out to major company). the American, the executive feels neglected and the French Dom Serafini January 20, 2015 Cover Stories (Continued from Cover) NATPE Events 2015-2016 U.S. TV Latin America before that attendees can enjoy wine and cheese as saying, “The networks don’t have any more international content sales. with TV France International. executives who really love reality TV.” NATPE’s own “tide” (i.e., telenovelas and For a three-day event, there are plenty of Last week, at the Television Critics Association super-series) is available from 19 exhibiting chances to mingle, rub elbows, socialize and conference in Pasadena, California, CBS (on companies from five LATAM countries and 11 network to last you until MIP-TV. January 12), ABC (January 14), NBC (January Latin companies based in the U.S. Additionally, Below you’ll find key information and events 16) and FOX (January 17) outlined their network Spanish-language titles are available from you won’t want to miss today: strategies for the new season and the outlook is that audiences will be seeing more African exhibitors from all of the U.S. studios’ LATAM EXHIBITION HOURS American headliners with the success of comedies divisions (with the exception of Sony Pictures), and U.S. companies with only LATAM rights HOTEL SUITES AND MARKET FLOOR like ABC’s Black-ish and dramas like FOX’s Empire. For the 2015-16 season it is expected that (e.g., Bender Media Services). Indeed, the broadcast, cable and digital networks will increase U.S. studios are in attendance, as “NATPE’s a Tuesday, January 20: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. their programming expenditures, not only to great place to be exposed to new product and Wednesday, January 21: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. compete among themselves but also to ensure a Thursday, January 22: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.