6 October 2014: A+E Networks Asia is, for the first time, trimming third-party acquisition of A+E titles and buying directly from the year-old A+E Studios and its new international unit, A+E Studios International.The new situation kicks in from Mipcom, when A+E introduces A+E Studios International, rolls out its first non-movie scripted titles, and formally introduces its new international team to the world. The team will also be pursuing international co-production partners.A+E Studios launched a year ago with the mission to develop and produce premium scripted content in the vein of Hatfields and McCoys, Bates Motel, Vikings and Houdini, all of which are distributed by third parties.“We weren’t controlling and distributing to the extent that we should have been,” says Sean Cohan, A+E Networks’ executive vice president, international. In Asia, this meant “buying our own shows from a third party”.The shift means “that our channels will buy from us. They have access to the best ideas and content, which is key,” Cohan says, adding that in the now-past life, “some of our own channels sometimes didn’t have the ability to get in line for some of our content”. In the new world, “our best content will end up on our channels”.“The other thing it means for Asia specifically is that our content sales team Asia, in addition to having healthy unscripted and made-for-TV movies, will have quality drama to talk to clients about,” Cohan adds."Our channels will now buy from us. They have access to the best ideas and content, which is key.” - Sean Cohan, A+E NetworksTwo of the titles debuting at Mipcom are Un-Real, the studios’ first full drama series, and Sons of Liberty, set during the American Revolution, for History.The 10-part one-hour Un-Real, produced by A+E Studios for Lifetime, stars Shiri Appleby and is co-written/executive produced by Marti Noxon (House of Cards, Girls).Other Studios’ titles include Gangland Undercover (working title), based on a true story about Charles Falco, who infiltrated three of the most dangerous outlaw biker gangs in the U.S. The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe and Whitney, a biopic about Whitney Houston, are also on the slate.Future projects include Liberator, based on a true story of American military commander Brigadier General Felix Sparks, who led the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp during World War II; and a follow up production to Roots.Cohan says the past year has been about hiring a network of strong sales executives with experience selling across scripted and unscripted.Glen Hansen, formerly with Zodiak Rights in the U.K., leads Asia-Pacific content sales out of Los Angeles, where A+E Studios is based. Hansen’s appointment to the newly created position of vice president of content sales was announced in August by Alan Hodges, managing director, Asia Pacific and Joel Denton, the newly appointed managing director, international content sales and partnerships, to whom Hansen will report. Denton, based in London, reports to Cohan.ContentAsia Issue Four