FEATURES
RTL CBS Entertainment turns One
08 December 2014
8 December 2014: RTL CBS Entertainment celebrated its first birthday with a bag full of awards, lots of glitz and glamour, and an even stronger commitment to doing what it has done since day one.RTL CBS Entertainment Networks' flagship Entertainment channel celebrated its first anniversary in September 2014, cutting the birthday cake on 12 months some thought would never happen after years and more years of hearing about European broadcaster RTL's Asia channel plans and seeing, well, not a lot.Now, one year after flicking the switch, the joint venture general entertainment channel has kept its content promises and made more.Programming executive vice president, Jennifer Batty, says the original strategy and philosophy is being proven – repeatedly. "We had to launch strong channels... [with] strong brands, first run, exclusive content," Batty says.The joint venture's programming commitment to big, best, live and as close as possible to the original broadcast date will continue, Batty says.If anything, acquisitions are bigger, with a major bet on glitz and glamour in live and exclusive awards shows such as the Billboard Music Awards (May 2015) and the Golden Globes, which shifts from Fox International Channels' Star World. In addition, the channel will air the Hollywood Film Awards, which were televised for the first time ever this year. RTL CBS Entertainment also aired the People Magazine Awards (December) and the American Music Awards (November). Two more deals for live awards shows with prime-time encores in Asia have been closed; details had not been released as this issue went to print. "We've always been interested in awards, and are supported by affiliates going down this path," Batty says, adding that the Golden Globes was "a big one for us... it took us from being the new kids on the block to now standing shoulder to shoulder with established channels". Ye...
8 December 2014: RTL CBS Entertainment celebrated its first birthday with a bag full of awards, lots of glitz and glamour, and an even stronger commitment to doing what it has done since day one.RTL CBS Entertainment Networks' flagship Entertainment channel celebrated its first anniversary in September 2014, cutting the birthday cake on 12 months some thought would never happen after years and more years of hearing about European broadcaster RTL's Asia channel plans and seeing, well, not a lot.Now, one year after flicking the switch, the joint venture general entertainment channel has kept its content promises and made more.Programming executive vice president, Jennifer Batty, says the original strategy and philosophy is being proven – repeatedly. "We had to launch strong channels... [with] strong brands, first run, exclusive content," Batty says.The joint venture's programming commitment to big, best, live and as close as possible to the original broadcast date will continue, Batty says.If anything, acquisitions are bigger, with a major bet on glitz and glamour in live and exclusive awards shows such as the Billboard Music Awards (May 2015) and the Golden Globes, which shifts from Fox International Channels' Star World. In addition, the channel will air the Hollywood Film Awards, which were televised for the first time ever this year. RTL CBS Entertainment also aired the People Magazine Awards (December) and the American Music Awards (November). Two more deals for live awards shows with prime-time encores in Asia have been closed; details had not been released as this issue went to print. "We've always been interested in awards, and are supported by affiliates going down this path," Batty says, adding that the Golden Globes was "a big one for us... it took us from being the new kids on the block to now standing shoulder to shoulder with established channels". Year two's schedule so far confirms RTL CBS Entertainment's approach, with drama aired as close as possible to the original airdate, and an emphasis on live broadcasts of shows such as The X Factor U.K. "We were the first in the world to broadcast X Factor U.K. after the U.K. That was another big one for us," Batty says.Like other regional general entertainment channels, Batty says affiliates support day-and-date releases. "Piracy is an issue and we want to help combat that," she says.Scorpion, for instance, aired within 12 hours of the U.S. Elementary season three was on air in a few days. The second season of Netflix's House of Cards premiered in December, with season three already secured for 2015. CBS Studios' Extant, starring Halle Berry, airs in January 2015, and there's a short window on season two. The third season of Under the Dome will air day and date with the U.S.. That's in addition to daily shows The Insider, Entertainment Tonight and the Late Show with David Letterman.Batty says Entertainment's value is a few key titles that define the channel. "We have an even mix of dramas, comedies, dailies and special programming," she says.They're also not all from joint venture partners, RTL and CBS Studios, which may have surprised some. "We are very lucky that we have the parent companies that we do. RTL/FremantleMedia and CBS compliment each other very well. It's the perfect combo. It's also really important that we have the best content possible for the channel, and CBS and FremantleMedia support that".