NEWS
ScheduleWatch: Rock Entertainment; U.S. network procedurals remain a cornerstone for the regional linear channel in Asia
06 March 2023
Current U.S. network procedural dramas remain the cornerstone of regional entertainment channels operator Rock Entertainment’s flagship service, with priority slots given as well to “somewhat edgier”and/or limited series, as well as to one-off specials such as the live "Circle Chart Music Awards" from Korea on 18/19 February this year.
A key goal for the English-language linear service is a clear and simple schedule, which channel programmers implement as part of their “fewer messages, clearer messaging” philosophy. The simplified schedule has evolved over the years in response to changing audience habits, says Rock Entertainment founder, Ward Platt.
New episodes of long-running prime-time properties such as "NCIS", "Law & Order SVU", "Chicago Med" and "Magnum P.I." air in Asia on Mondays/Tuesdays, express from the U.S., followed on Wednesday by titles such as "Chucky", "The Good Fight", "Halo", Canadian paranormal drama "SurrealEstate", and "First Lady". Direct-to-streaming originals, such as "Poker Face", are acquired for the Wednesday slot, but “we are selective about doing so as usually the series may be less well known in international markets,” Platt says.
Unscripted/reality properties from the U.S and U.K. such "The Great Chocolate Showdown", "Gordon Ramsey’s Next Level Chef", "Crime Scene Kitchen", "Masked Singer U.K." and "Come Dance with Me" air on Thursdays.
The late-prime Monday to Thursday band is given to high-profile talk show hosts, such as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Myers". New episodes run from 10.35pm.
Movies air on Sundays, with repeats through the week.
New episodes are repeated at least three times on the same day, leveraging promotion and maximising availability.
Acquisitions patterns haven’t really shifted as a result of some U.S. studio’s changing streaming/rights strategies.
“For the most part we are able to access the best [titles] from our studio partners,” Platt s...
Current U.S. network procedural dramas remain the cornerstone of regional entertainment channels operator Rock Entertainment’s flagship service, with priority slots given as well to “somewhat edgier”and/or limited series, as well as to one-off specials such as the live "Circle Chart Music Awards" from Korea on 18/19 February this year.
A key goal for the English-language linear service is a clear and simple schedule, which channel programmers implement as part of their “fewer messages, clearer messaging” philosophy. The simplified schedule has evolved over the years in response to changing audience habits, says Rock Entertainment founder, Ward Platt.
New episodes of long-running prime-time properties such as "NCIS", "Law & Order SVU", "Chicago Med" and "Magnum P.I." air in Asia on Mondays/Tuesdays, express from the U.S., followed on Wednesday by titles such as "Chucky", "The Good Fight", "Halo", Canadian paranormal drama "SurrealEstate", and "First Lady". Direct-to-streaming originals, such as "Poker Face", are acquired for the Wednesday slot, but “we are selective about doing so as usually the series may be less well known in international markets,” Platt says.
Unscripted/reality properties from the U.S and U.K. such "The Great Chocolate Showdown", "Gordon Ramsey’s Next Level Chef", "Crime Scene Kitchen", "Masked Singer U.K." and "Come Dance with Me" air on Thursdays.
The late-prime Monday to Thursday band is given to high-profile talk show hosts, such as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Myers". New episodes run from 10.35pm.
Movies air on Sundays, with repeats through the week.
New episodes are repeated at least three times on the same day, leveraging promotion and maximising availability.
Acquisitions patterns haven’t really shifted as a result of some U.S. studio’s changing streaming/rights strategies.
“For the most part we are able to access the best [titles] from our studio partners,” Platt says, highlighting the value of long-term partnerships and volume deals. These have had the biggest influence on rights acquisitions.
Rock Entertainment’s on-demand rights range from catch-up, in season stacking and box set on-demand rights to fully branded SVOD rights.
Premieres for March/April include "Next Level Chef" (Gordon Ramsey), and "Poker Face".
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