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Expats’ TV Animation Gatekeeper MIP-TV Expands Canada Holds The Key Changes & anada is considered the world’s leader Some 40 companies — of which five Group’s Role in animation production and the are majors — use a mix of equity, debt, Challenges tax credit (both federal and provincial), he desire to reach expatriates is still Cgenre’s major provider to U.S. TV t’s a year of change for MIP-TV. For the pre-sales and various public and private there for all TV stations that broad- networks. Reportedly, over 80 percent of first time, the market is a day shorter — funds that allow projects to be made. cast outside their territories, but there all of Canada’s international program Ionly four days in total — terminating T This ecosystem of financial support is sales comes from animation, aided by an on Thursday rather than the traditional is the additional requirement that they also strengthened by domestic broad- have to generate some revenue, plus the efficient government marketing subsidy Friday. On the other hand, the hours on program. casting quotas and the proximity of the the floor have been extended by one hour, challenges posed by new technologies U.S., the world’s largest consumer of from 8:30 a.m. till 7:30 p.m.. and even jamming. animated television content. In addition, Another change comes in the form of For these and other issues, 20 years its various treaties with European coun- the studio presence, which is reduced this ago, five international TV channels –– tries in effect make Canada the gate- year, with only CBS and NBC exhibiting 3Sat, BBC, DW, RAI and TV5 –– met keeper for animated TV product for all in the city of Bruges, Belgium under the the other world’s major producers of ani- in stands. However, MIP-TV’s Laurine auspices of the EBU, to form an associa- mation: France, Germany, the U.K., Garaude is confident that it “promises to tion that, for lack of a better name, was Japan, South Korea, Italy and Spain. be a very busy and vibrant market,” with called the Bruges Group. Among Canada’s major animation some 11,500 professionals on hand, Today the association links 21 public including 4,000 buyers (an increase from (Continued on Page 4) TV organizations that broadcast in their (Continued on Page 4) languages for their nations’ expatriates, of which at least 10 are represented here at MIP, including RaiWorld. Recently, the Group met in Rome, Italy as a guest of RaiWorld to tackle sev- (Continued on Page 4) Cadura Steel The Show ith the number of international channels steadily climbing, WVideoAge Daily checked in with Luca Cadura, chairman of Universal Networks Italia, to find out the status of the international digital market, his com- pany’s plans for growth and his strategy for MIP. Where international channels are con- cerned, Cadura noted that there is plenty of room for expansion. “There is still an appetite in the markets for channels with a strong proposition and ability to devel- op into brands,” he said. And, according to Cadura, companies like Universal are perfectly poised to take advantage of this demand. He pointed out, “Big interna- tional companies, especially the majors,

(Continued on Page 4) INSIDE My2¢: TV NETS WILL LIVE JUST FOR LAUGHS

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can expect seminars and panels geared to each of these themes throughout the MIPTV Overview week. Canada’s Animation Additionally, new at MIP-TV 2011 is The Connected Creativity Forum, (Continued from Cover) (Continued from Cover) which focuses on content for mobile last year), and 1,500 exhibitors. and emerging technology and will be companies there are: Breakthrough, CCI, The indies, at least, don’t seem to held at the Majestic Hotel on April 5-7. Cookie Jar, eOne and Nelvana, but even mind the shorter week. Said Opus’ Ken Another highlight is tonight’s World small companies such as Portfolio can Dubow about a truncated MIP, “It Premiere TV Screening, which debuted claim a show on U.S. television. makes no difference, I go home on at MIPCOM last October. This time For MIP, VideoAge talked to a pair of Friday either way. Thursday has always around, Starz and GK-TV will present Canadian execs to find out why the coun- been a breakdown day. Flights leave Camelot, followed by a Q&A with the try has become a cartoon powerhouse. early in the morning, so you have to show’s stars. According to Toronto-based CCI presi- leave Friday anyway.” And, as Classic dent Arnie Zipursky, Canada’s kids and Media’s Doug Schwalbe noted, “People animation reputation is nothing new. want to get back to their offices; they Cadura’s Steel “We’ve had a long history of being a big don’t need to be at the market to work leader of kids programming worldwide,” Laurine Garaude on deals.” he said. As to why this may be, Zipursky Plus, independent distributors are (Continued from Cover) noted, “Canada was one of the first coun- banking on less competition from the such executive is Kees Abrahams, who tries to look at international co-produc- studios. Their diminished attendance, emphasized that despite not having a tion, and animation lends itself so well to according to Schwalbe, “Gives indies booth, “Our goal is to bring the shows international co-production financing.” more chance to spend time with buy- — and the deals — to the market that Joan Lambur, executive producer at Toronto-based Breakthrough Entertain- ers.” get people talking.” ment concurred. “There’re great opportu- However, although they may not have Industry news that is contributing to nities in terms of financing and a really booths, all studios have sent representa- making this MIP a place of understand- favorable economic landscape here for tives. MIP-TV’s Laurine Garaude said ing changes are Comcast’s acquisition of producing TV in general,” she said, elab- the trade show is welcoming delegates NBC-Universal, RaiTrade folding back orating that the Canadian animation from “CBS, NBC, Sony Pictures into RAI, the upcoming L.A. Screenings, community has had a long stretch of time Television, Disney and Warner Bros., as the troubles in Japan and the economies to get better and better. Plus, many pro- well as other key players including of Greece, Ireland and Portugal. ducers have been able to take advantage of HBO, Lionsgate, MGM, MTV, RHI, In lieu of one over-arching theme at the economic downturn by attracting tal- Starz Media, GK-TV, and this year’s market, MIP-TV’s Garaude ent who would otherwise be involved in Entertainment One, among others.” pointed to four central principles: for- are perfectly positioned to deliver on other projects. Additionally, Lambur Sony Pictures Television, for one, has mats, co-production, a spotlight on 3D emphasized that the broadcasting com- sent reps from its production arm. One and branded entertainment. Participants these promises: a clear proposition served with first class content.” munity in Canada has always been very As for what kind of content works the supportive of producers, which creates a great climate. man is Jose Lopes Araujo, director of best on an international digital channel, But it’s not just Canadian networks The Bruges Group Legal, Public and International affairs of Cadura (pictured above) pointed to Portugal’s RTP, and former director of “great movies, no matter how old.” He picking up animation from the likes of RTP International, who has been chair- elaborated that, to a certain extent, CCI and Breakthrough. CCI distributes (Continued from Cover) man for four years, one more than the quality TV series are also quite effective, 11 shows that are currently airing on U.S. Group’s statute requires. while factual and non-scripted content TV, about half of which are animated. An informal survey among generally calls for localization. Plus, the company is taking the world by some of the Group’s members For Cadura and company, there are storm with Artzooka!. The show, which revealed that not all cover the European programming quotas to con- started out on CBC in Canada, is also world. For example, Hungary’s tend with, meaning channels must being produced with local hosts for Duna TV covers only Europe; acquire a certain amount of content Germany, Spanish-speaking Latin Bulgaria’s BNT reaches Europe from within Europe. Otherwise, America, Brazil, France and many more. and North America and Universal Networks Italia has “no taboos Similarly, Breakthrough has its eye on Serbia’s RTS serves Europe, on content.” Per Cadura: “Our global domination with Crash Canyon. North America and Australia- Channels (Steel, Studio Universal, Diva Lambur explained that the show has a New Zealand. Universal, Sci Fi Universal, Universal seasoned team of writers from series such as Family Guy and How I Met Your Bruges Group’s chairman Jose Lopes Some wealthy members, such Channel), are built around our library Araujo, right, and RaiWorld’s Giovanni as Germany’s DW, broadcast worldwide and in general our audience expects Mother, led by Joel Cohen, co-executive Celsi, with other members, representing a in 30 languages, while France24 broad- great U.S. entertainment. However, we producer of The Simpsons. “We’re hoping total of nine international broadcasters to crank out a hugely successful animated that participated at the Rome meeting. casts in three languages: French, English do buy non-U.S. content when this and Arabic. A few channels, like Greece’s makes editorial sense.” primetime comedy,” she said, adding, ERT World, have a few programs subti- Universal Networks continues to “And all of the talent we’re using is eral issues, including the problems pre- tled in English, but most are single-lan- expand its digital channel reach. In Canadian talent.” sented by “systematic interferences that guage stations, including Italy’s RAI, March of 2011 it launched Universal As to what trends we can expect out of have hit the satellite broadcasts of some Holland’s BVN, Portugal’s RTP and Channel HD in Turkey, as well as Diva Canada in the coming months, Lambur of its members,” by countries such as Romania’s TVR. Universal in Italy. And, as Cadura put it, suggested that there’s less of a focus on Iran, building its own Website and However, all channels are distributed “The year’s not over yet.” fame-driven series and action shows, and changing its name to International by a non exclusive mix of satellite, NBC-Univeral, which is one of only more of an emphasis on comedy. For his Broadcasting Group-Bruges Group. The cable/broadband, FTA and IPTV plat- two studios with a stand this year, is no part, Zipursky pointed to interactive con- Group will meet again this coming June forms with a three-tier business model: doubt having a busy MIP. Of his market tent and cross media series like at the EBU headquarters in Brussels to state funds, subscriptions and advertis- plans, Cadura said simply, “MIP is the GeoFreakZ. Pictured on the cover: Zipursky elect a new chairman, who rotates ing/sponsorships. perfect place to meet customers and introducing “GeoFreakZ” and the team among the members. The current chair- suppliers based outside your country.” behind the new animated show.

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SHOW NEWS celebrity interviews. In a new season of drama series Rookie Blue, five new cops must learn Finding Entertainment One quickly how to navigate the world of big-city policing — a world in which n Entertainment One’s TV movie Finding a Family, seventeen-year- every mistake, big or small, has serious old Alex Chivescu must find a foster family after his mother suffers a consequences. Itragic accident. The family drama is based on a true story. Police officer Rick Grimes and his After he is charged with ghastly war crimes, a U.S. Marine must over- family join a group of other survivors come daunting obstacles to prove his innocence in film Conduct fighting for their lives among The Unbecoming. Walking Dead (pictured) in a post- Kenny Hotz attempts a variety of challenges that push the boundaries apocalyptic world. A new season is of society in this Mission Impossible meets Dateline comedy series Kenny available. Hotz’ Triumph Of The Will. Stand RB.43 After their father dies, misfit brothers Terry and Peter try to keep his www.eonetv.com fledgling comic book shop alive and save it from the depths of financial ruin in comedy series Almost Heroes. Half-hour weekly entertainment series The Hollywood News Report Going To Cannes introduces viewers to everything from red carpet premieres to exclusive Just For Laughs

anadian production and distribu- tion company Just For Laughs’ Cobjective for 2011 is to produce new gag segments for its series Just For Laughs Gags that are geared towards a younger audience to feed the co-view- ing trend, in which kids watch and enjoy television with their parents. On this note, Just For Laughs (JFL) sold 33 episodes of Gags to Disney Asia, and Disney Asia picked up its option for 65 additional episodes. This sale as well as one to kids’ channel Pogo in India were eye-openers for the company, which decided to become more active in the kids market.

In addition, the company’s acquisi- tions execs here at MIP will be on the lookout for comedy programs of all types; in particular, for comedy con- cepts from abroad that will translate well for audiences in North America. JFL’s catalogue is topped by Just for Laughs Gags, a half-hour comedy series that features non-verbal, hidden camera gags. Also available are twenty- six half-hour episodes of Smile TV, featuring non-verbal skits that current- ly air in more than 30 countries. World class comedians such as Tim Allen, Steve Martin and Drew Carey, among others, bring their comic best to the stage in half-hour series Just for Laughs Stand-Up. Festival Production License allows participants to create their own TV show. JFL’s production team provides the talent, and participants bring the host and select the funniest footage. Non-verbal comedic variety is fea- tured in Just for Variety, which show- cases jugglers, mimes, magicians and other acts from the Just For Laughs Festival. Naked & Funny consists of 180 Nat Abraham, Vice President, Distribution t 416.366.6588 x 114 e [email protected] Kate Blank, Sales Executive t 416.366.6588 x 234 e [email protected] half-hour episodes of hidden camera Laura Lemyk, Sales Executive t 416.366.6588 x 133 e [email protected] with an erotic twist. breakthroughentertainment.com breakthroughentertainment.com Booth C1.05 www.justforlaughstv.com

VIDEO • AGE DAILY A PRIL 4, 2011 AZ_270x360_ANB_VideoAge_RZ.indd 1 © 2011 STUDIO100 MEDIA, www.studio100.de www.studio100media.com e-mail: [email protected] tel.: +49(0)89 96 08 55-0 STUDIO100 MEDIA A WORLDWIDE HIT. R29.01 AT MIPTV 2011 VISIT US FRIENDSHIP. MYSTERY. 08.03.2011 18:27:02 Uhr P8D1 24-03-2011 17:16 Pagina 1

SHOW NEWS mated comedy series Dan Vs. Emma and Will were best friends as kids, but when Will moved away, they Starz Media Fights In The Arena lost touch. As an adult, Will returns to his hometown with the intention of tarz Media showcases an eclectic mix of programs at MIP. It’s up to professing his love for Emma in Zeus the dog to save Halloween when Ted and Stewey, two partially romantic comedy Waiting for Forever. Sreformed burglars, make a mess of the holiday in family/holiday In romantic comedy A Valentine’s movie The Dog Who Saved Halloween. Date, only their daughter can bring After years of trying to have children, Amanda and Jason finally adopt city executive Laura and small-town a baby girl from Eastern Europe. But something’s not quite right, and man Brad back together when Laura they soon discover that they may have a Stolen Child in their posses- returns to her hometown. sion. Wendy inherits Chateau Meroux, a In action/drama series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (pictured), a winery in Napa Valley and falls for young Batiatus and his wife Lucretia are prepared to overthrow his Chris, a local who helps her with the father and take control of the House of Batiatus. business. But when she finds out that Loveable cynic Dan and his reluctant sidekick Chris vow to take Chris is the son of her biggest com- revenge against anything and everything that Dan finds frustrating in petitor (Christopher Lloyd), she’s life, whether or not these things actually conspire against him in ani- forced to question her feelings. Stand RSV 25 www.starzmedia.com Truth About Opus

pus Distribution presents a num- ber of new thrillers and family Omovies at this market. After a woman lapses into a coma following a terrible car accident, her evil twin, who is driven by jealousy, assumes her iden- tity in thriller Deadly Sibling Rivalry. When her best friend is found dead on a beach in Ireland, a young American woman travels to the village to investigate and discover the Truth About Kerry. Sarah hires an actor to play her

boyfriend in order to please her par- ents. But all bets are off when she begins to fall head over heels for him in Love At First Lie. Florence Henderson stars as a lonely farmwoman who, along with a foster child, learns the meaning of sacrifice and love when The Christmas Bunny enters their lives. Jack leads a small band against zom- bie vampires to stop them from spreading an infection in The Dead Undead. As terrorism becomes an increasing- ly prominent threat, everyone is being watched by Eyeborgs robotic cameras. But the question is: Are the cameras only watching? After he’s been gone for 20 years, a MIPTV R33.08. prodigal brother returns to the family farm in Septien. Dark humor abounds WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION | WWW.TRICONFILMS.COM in this film, which comes straight from the Sundance Film Festival. Stand 19.21 POD 11 www.opusdistribution.com

VIDEO • AGE DAILY A PRIL 4, 2011 Comedy Series (2011) 6 x 30 minutes VISIT eOne IN THE RIVIERA BEACH RB. 43 CONTACT: [email protected] • TELEPHONE: 33 4 92 99 8821 • WWW.EONETV.COM

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SHOW NEWS to value the quality of their property over aesthetics in each episode of Homewreckers. CCI Makes Their Dream House Four-year-old Joe and his cat have the grandest imaginations that help CI Entertainment is in Cannes with a host of new series. them fill their days with amazing Artzooka is a half-hour live-action and animation series that adventures in preschool series Joe and Cteaches kids about art. They learn that art is everywhere and Jack. anyone can be an artist. The program is intended for kids ages six Jenn and Chad have been married through nine. Art projects include digital movies, silk-screened t- for 10 years, have three kids plus one shirts and lamps made out of oranges. Original productions for more on the way, and are finally ready particular markets are also available. to start Making House (pictured) — Candice Tells All when she introduces viewers to her interior their dream house, that is. The interi- designs. In each episode, she explores one major design principle or designer and contractor couple live and travels the city to see how those design principles work in out of a tiny apartment while they gut other art forms. Candice Olson talks to professionals, artists and their house to create the home they’ve design industry insiders. always dreamed of, all while taking Kristi Hansen is a contractor, plumber and the mother of two their kids to ballet lessons and birth- who repairs neglected homes and teaches negligent homeowners day parties. Stand 02.10 www.ccientertainment.com Breakthrough Makes Perfect

reakthrough Entertainment offers a variety of documentary, factual Band animation series at this mar- ket. Future Revealed is a 10-part doc- umentary series that takes a look at the future by examining innovations that will transform tomorrow. Experts from NASA, Cambridge University and M.I.T. predict extraordinary events that may occur in our lifetime.

Email There’s been a rise in retail crime that may be fueled by consumers’ rig- orous search for the lowest prices. Factual series The Truth About Shoplifting investigates. Crackberry’d provides an intense look at how modern communications technology is changing our way of life. Factual series Innovation Nation introduces viewers to groundbreaking scientific discoveries that are molding the future of the planet. After the Wendell family drives off a cliff and finds themselves at the bot- tom of a canyon, life is turned upside down in animated series Crash Canyon (pictured). Hollywood’s 10 Best counts down the biggest moments and stars in movies. Every episode features actors, writers and directors as they discuss their films and their craft. 65 x 30 - HDready Lifestyle series Plastic Makes Perfect examines the extraordinary hurdles some people jump in order to look young and beautiful as they age. The pop-doc examines how important body image is to those who wish to defy their age. Stand 00.01 www.breakthroughentertainment.com

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Show News EUROPE NEW PRODUCT

FM Is a Eyeworks Lives a Double Life Work of Art msterdam-based Eyeworks Distrib- However, he was really living with Nina, ution’s slate features a variety of for- whom he married while he was away. remantleMedia’s MIP roster is mats, reality series and dramas. Little did Karen or Nina know that topped by Laconia (pictured), a two A part epic drama that centers on Each episode of this game show features Mark was living a Double Life, until his F a man or woman caught in a Love untimely death leaves both women Hilda, a German national who is fleeing Triangle that they’re eager to get out of, wondering who’s entitled to what. Nazi Germany; Thomas Mortimer, an if only they knew what the future would In Reality Queens of the Jungle, ten officer aboard The Laconia and U-Boat be like depending on which lover they top female characters from reality shows commander Werner Hartenstein, along were dating exclusively. It is available as are dropped in the jungle and left to find with other Germans, British and a finished program and a format. their way back to the real world with Americans. It is a story of gallantry and Reality series Obese (Extreme only luxury bags and hair dryers to help cowardice during the Laconia Incident Makeover: Weight Loss Edition) fea- them. The girls are split into two teams of World War II. tures a different morbidly obese person and must compete with each other for Even though Bec, Jenny, Frances and in each episode as he or she struggles to cash and other items that will make their Sophie were “the losers” in high school, lose half their body weight with the help journey back to the real world easier. suffering all types of mockery and teas- of a weight loss expert. Only one girl on the winning team will ing that led them to hide in the rest- Mothers of men who still live at home keep the grand prize of 50,000 euro. room, they’re happy with the lives they History of The United States: A Series are asking eligible bachelorettes: Who Contestants put the stereotypes about made for themselves since high school by Oliver Stone presents the many Wants to Marry My Son? A group of “dumb blondes” to the test when one in hour-long drama series Winners & events that have molded the U.S over mothers and their live-at-home sons contestant competes for money and tries Losers. the last 60 years, despite the fact that (who are all over 25) move into a man- to top 50 blondes in a battle of wits in Simon Cowell’s entertainment format they were “under-reported.” sion where they choose women to date. game show format Beat The Blondes. The X Factor USA, a singing competi- Anthony Bourdain travels across the But not only do these women have to Kalgoorlie Cops (pictured) try to tion in which aspiring singers try to globe in hour-long factual series convince the man they’re right for each keep Australia’s largest Outback town prove that they have what it takes to be Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 7. other, they’ll also have to convince his under control, despite the fact that it’s a star, will air on Fox in Autumn 2011. Viewers are introduced to what life is mom. overrun with miners, hookers, crooks In Work of Art 2, Work of Art: The like for the men and women of the Mark lived with Karen and their two and outlaw bikers. Next Great Artist is back for a second Australian Federal Police, Australia’s kids for 18 years, but he was out of the Stand H4.32 series, and 14 aspiring artists compete national and international policing house often, supposedly on business. www.eyeworks.tv for the chance to display a solo show at agency, in AFP: Front Line. a top museum, plus a £100,000 prize. Stand RB 1 Documentary series The Untold www.fidtv.com Mediaset is Following Its Dreams

ediaset Distribution’s slate is Studio100 To The Rescue chockfull of action-packed Mseries. Family series Solving unich-based Sudio100 Media arrives at the Palais with an array of children’s Lorenzo centers on a police detec- series topped by Woodlies, which centers on a group of furry friends who are tive who solves crimes with the Mon a mission to protect the forest from humans — and to find as much food help of his nine-year-old brother, as they can lay their paws on. who just happens to have an above Maya the Bee is a young bee that lives to the beat of her own drum. She loves average IQ. adventures and does anything she can to escape the regimented hive life. Young performing artists who With a target audience of kids three to six years old, Florrie’s Dragons centers aspire to become famous take part on a little princess living in a castle who’s friends with a bunch of very special drag- in a popular talent show, hoping ons. Together, they go on wondrous adventures. that someone will recognize their chief of police, and Rosy Abate, a mem- Enyo goes on a wild journey in prehistoric times that involves shamanism and talent and they’ll soar to the top of star- ber of one of the oldest and most notori- prehistoric beasts that will captivate the imaginations of kids ages seven through 10. dom in family series Follow Your ous criminal clans. The members of the Dreams, The Series (pictured). The characters living in Hurly Burly Town inside the pages of a pop-up book antimafia squad learn that in their battle called Paper World have no idea that they live inside a book, and this often creates When his swimming career is cut against the Mob, danger may also lurk short due to health problems, a cham- problems that only TitiPangPangRescue within their ranks. BR pion swimmer helps a group of young (TTPPR) can solve. Kids ages four to . Soap opera Living illustrates that love people improve their lives when they nine will enjoy the antics of this comedy .COM is the champion, even in the face of swim in a relay race that changes every- of errors (pictured). Delmar Andrade .COM thing in drama miniseries Like A struggles, defeats, victories and unbri- Clowns Dobus, Sollie and Mina, the International Sales Department Dolphin. dled passion. circus ringmaster and Lady Petunia have 55 11 218.R4E D5E4R6EC8O R D In Beyond The Lake, The Series, Thirty-year old lawyer Stefano must exciting adventures in this live-action @SP only the lake holds the key to the mys- move in with his autistic brother Filippo series intended for kids three to six years Fax: 55 11 2184 5200 RECORDTVNETWORK teries of today, which are linked to after their mother passes away in soft old. . mysteries from the past. crime series About My Brother. Stand R29.01 Palais des Festivals DANDRWAWDEW Antimafia Squad is a Mafia series Stand R32.07 www.studio100media.com that centers on Claudia Mares, vice www.mediasetdistribution.com Booth #05.02

VIDEO • AGE DAILY A PRIL 4, 2011 Cannes - MIPTV 2011 .BR .COM .COM InternatDioenlaml Saarl eAs nDderpaadrtement 55 11 218.R4E D5E4R6EC8O R D SP Fax: 55@ 11 2184 5200 .RECORDTVNETWORK Palais des Festivals DANDRWAWDEW Booth #05.02 Cannes - MIPTV 2011 Day1Cents 24-03-2011 17:10 Pagina 1 VIDEOAGE MY TWO CENTS DAILY don’t agree that, “TV networks will be dead in 20 years, replaced with a system of com- puterized content that will be molded to your preferences.” This is according to a survey of more than 50 television experts conducted by Cisco Systems. The major fault of this AT MIPTV 2011 study is that it looked more at the future of technology rather than the business models that will be needed to drive it. Stand 17.11 IWe can easily compare content distribution throughout television history to an accordion playing the polka. In the beginning, the accordion’s bellows were tight, with only two sounds “We can easily Tel: 49299 8090 coming out: one for theatrical, the other for television. The bellows opened up a bit when home video, cable and ancillary hit the deep note. The bellows stretched to the limit with the advent of digital technology, to the point that, like compare EDITOR magic, they developed a drawl, like a tail, and a long tail at that. Soon, however, this long tail DOM SERAFINI will lose its…tail. content If now one can count up to 10 windows (and they’re getting pretty tight, especially for the- atrical product, which now goes on VoD 60 days after a film’s theatrical release), soon there will distribution EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS be only one, two at the most: theatrical and television. SARA ALESSI And this is a scenario that both production and distribution companies should start to be pre- pared for. throughout LUCY COHEN BLATTER Once the TV signal takes an IPTV form (and this will happen sooner than expected, also LEAH HOCHBAUM ROSNER because the over-the-air DTV signal is not robust), TV networks can do anything with it on television BOB JENKINS their own: Send it linearly, streaming, download with DVD burn, VoD, you name it, down to micro-payments. And this with the anytime, anywhere concept (mobile or fixed): The so-called LEVI SHAPIRO multiscreen delivery. history to an ERIN SOMERS At that point, theaters could be replaced by public places such as bars, restaurants and recre- MARIA ZUPPELLO ational halls. The movies will be available via satellite or terrestrial broadband and an enter- accordion prise can license them on the spot and display them on a large screen, charging an entrance fee or using it as an incentive for patrons. If this scenario is still too far fetched, let’s then consider playing CORPORATE AND one that is much closer on the horizon: The traditional theatrical release and… television. Television networks are now encompassing all kinds of platforms: FTA, subscription, VoD, CIRCULATION OFFICE Internet, DVD downloads…. And with these platforms, the nets are bundling together all con- the polka” 216 EAST 75TH STREET tent distribution windows. Networks are also using airlines like affiliates, and in the case of NEW YORK, NY 10021 NBC, for example, Delta provides in the U.S. close to 280,000 viewers (passengers) a day with its in-flight entertainment service. TEL: (212) 288-3933 For U.S. networks, retrans fee will ultimately cause the replacement of their local TV affili- FAX: (212) 288-3424 ates with cable MSOs, which in turn will force station groups outside the networks’ structure (such as Tribune and Gannett) to expedite the one-size-fits-all model where their TV digital signal reaches all possible targets PUBLISHER in any shape or form. MONICA GORGHETTO This development will be further accelerated by the recent acquisition by the MSO Comcast, of the NBC TV network and Universal Studios. At this point it doesn’t make sense to have the TRADE SHOW COORDINATOR MSO pay its own network a retrans fee. Similarly, why should CAROLINE INTERTAGLIA the network pay its affiliate any form of compensation, when its MSO can alone cover most of the country and the IPTV signal can reach the rest? BUSINESS OFFICE Plus, since syndication is a shrinking platform — as pointed out at NATPE by the then NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker LEN FINKEL — cable networks and station groups must move away from syndicated product and move into original programming, since LEGAL OFFICE on-demand services, such as Hulu and Netflix, eat away at rat- ings for off-net programming, thus eroding the syndication “Miss Bowens, send in someone I can blame it on!” BOB ACKERMANN business model. STEVE SCHIFFMAN I foresee a business model where content is exploited by the same production company, which will monetize it efficiently and effectively across several platforms that we now call windows. Leaving the theatrical window alone for now, the producing network (acquisition is anoth- WWW.VIDEOAGE.ORG er term that will change if the producer also owns the platforms) will want to put it on its mul- tiple platforms ASAP: pay-per view, subscription, VoD, DVD downloads, FTA, basic cable and WWW.VIDEOAGEITALIA.COM syndication. To do so, the producers who own the networks don’t need any middleman, perhaps with the WWW.VIDEOAGELATINO.COM exclusion of such platforms as Apple’s iTunes — which will be in place until the studios are able to create similar platforms — because it is also clear that platforms such as Hulu and Netflix

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