Ahead of this year’s ATF programme market in Singapore,distributors talk about priorities, expectations andinfluences....

What are your top three priorities in Asia in 2020?
Scripted formats: “We have seen increased interest in our scripted formats from previous buyers of finished content in Asia. There is a trend to acquire existing IP and develop into local versions. So we will focus on further developing this business in 2020.”
Non scripted: “ABS-CBN’s big thing is its focus on international expansion. This means we will be more deliberate in creating content that can cross territories. Specific to this is creation of formats, which was initiated by the launch of Your Moment during Mipcom 2019.”
Movies for China and the rest of Asia: “Admittedly we have not been successful in growing our China business in recent years. Hopefully this will start to change through our theatrical business. We have noted growing interest from Asia and China buyers for ABS-CBN movies for theatrical distribution, all rights deals or remake rights.”
Macie Imperial, Vice President, IntegratedProgramme Acquisitions & International Distribution, ABS-CBN Philippines

“We are currently operating in a very changeable market for a number of reasons – so rather than name three top priorities I would say our overarching key approach will be to bring creativity to our deal-making, keeping ourselves open to new ideas/conversations and business models. The slowdown of the global/Asian economy, disruptions in the media industry, political instability and growing government control over the media sector means a “one-size-fits-all” approach to any market or genre will not be effective, nor will a simplistic way of carving out media rights to ensure second or third window sales – so in 2020 our approach will be agile and innovative.”
Hyeonza Hong, Senior Vice President, Sales,ITV Studios Global Entertainment

“We will be focusing on the best of Malaysian content, titles from our own productions and from external Malaysian producers. We are looking at mainly feature films, Malay dramas and animation.”
Izham Omar, Chief Executive Officer, Primeworks Studios

Content: “Firstly, the content, as without it, there is no #2 or #3! In terms of titles, our new raft of star-studded dramas: Total Control, Secret Bridesmaids Business and The Stylist in particular.”
The right content in the right region: “Then focusing the right content on the right region: so scripted in India and Japan, and non-scripted to Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.”
Local: “Finally, developing more local content, primarily for the local markets but also for ‘over the Himalayas’ too.”
Gary Pudney, General Manager, Asia,Keshet International

Expand reach: “Continue to expand the range of our product reach.”
Work with new platforms: “Work with all the new upcoming platforms and services. We are always looking to support the industry with our content to maintain its vibrancy.”
Marketing support: “Provide even better marketing support to our partners as great content paired with great marketing has been a proven success formula for us.”
Julius Toh, VP Sales, Distribution & Networks,Sony Pictures Television

Reach new Asian territories... “with a slate of feature films and TV, channels and club channels and performing arts titles.”
David Bogi, Head of International Distribution & Business Development, Rai Com

Strengthen relationships: “We do a healthy amount of business with the key players in Asia. In 2020 a priority will be to further strengthen our relationships with country-specific services and also the new VOD platforms.”
Expand factual business: “In 2019 we saw an increase in sales of our factual slate, particular to Korea where titles such as Strike Carrier, Code Red and Man’s First Friend were well received. We are looking to expand our factual business further throughout the rest of the region in 2020.”
Scripted content in Southeast Asia: “Southeast Asia will be a key focus for our scripted content next year, in particular for our high-end dramas Departure and Vienna Blood.”
Joyce Dröse, Sales Manager,Red Arrow Studios International

Partnerships, relationships and new opportunities: “We are looking for the best partners for our series and documentaries, strengthen relationships with our clients and looking for new opportunities.”
Diana Borbón, Sales Manager,Atresmedia Television

Expanding footprint: “We have some of the most-ever-sold Turkish dramas globally in our catalogue... These are among the valuable dramas we will prioritise for Asia, including Fatmagul, which has been sold to 154 countries; love story Price of Passion; and family drama Ruthless City.”
Salmi Gambarova, Sales Executive, Asia & CIS,Kanal D International

Ready made shows: “For us, the first priority is our ready-made shows. We’ve been investing in subtitling our series, and are ready to provide our buyers with English subtitles at the very least... the advantage of our series is their relatively short seasons (8-20 episodes) that are suitable for Asian markets in terms of TV and online line-up’s compatibility.”
Scripted formats: “The second priority is our scripted formats. We offer more than 100 series, with 80% of them completely ready for adaptation... the world is hungry for original stories that convey universal values.”
Non-scripted: “The third priority is our non-scripted projects. There is just a handful of them, but they all have excellent marketing potential, that already comes into fruition. For example, our celebrity quiz show, Secret for a Million, will be adapted in three countries in 2020.”
Marina Kataya, Deputy General Producer – Sales Director,NTV Broadcasting Company, Russia

“As we go into 2020, we are going to keep championing our award-winning slate of drama content. [We have] over 25 dramas launching in 2020, a mixture of brand new and returners. These include infamous true crime story, White House Farm, and political thriller Roadkill starring Hugh Laurie. While our focus on drama continues we are also pushing our scripted formats... Finally, we want to build even closer relationships with great Asian producers and platforms, across formats, non-scripted and drama, we’re recognising the value of local storytelling and ideas.”
Sabrina Duguet, EVP Asia Pacific, all3media international

Published in ContentAsia's Issue Seven 2019, 4 December 2019