Distributor Viewpoints

September 26 Gary Lico, president and CEO, CABLEready (USA)

Trends: Buyers are increasingly seeking internet and mobile rights in addition to linear TV. Channels are streaming programmes on their websites following the TV premiere, and they’re also looking to launch mobile channels, not as a re-transmission but as an à la carte package. It’s an ongoing issue for producers and distributors to clear footage rights in these new venues as well as negotiate deals that reflect the value of these rights.

In terms of programming, competitive reality programmes are stagnating; there haven’t been many new ideas lately in this genre. On the positive side, crime programming has never been more popular - in the UK alone, there are at least six broadcasters that are hot on crime, and three of them weren’t in the crime business at all just one year ago. This is good news for us as we continue to grow our crime franchise like MEDICAL DETECTIVES and FORENSIC FILES, while introducing new titles like LOVE BEHIND BARS and CRIME SCENE BANGKOK, DOMINICK DUNNE’S POWER, PRIVILEGE & JUSTICE and WOMEN ON DEATH ROW.

Another hot genre is what we call ‘action factual’ - fast-paced reality like our RISK TAKERS series that goes on location with rescue teams and other high-risk job situations.

Challenges: An ongoing challenge has been the output deals between studios and terrestrial channels, but that’s on the decline. Output deals with studios are becoming less and less popular. The biggest challenges today are increasing rights and decreasing rates. Channels want more but don’t always want to pay for it. That said, it’s not all gloom-and-doom: the growth spurt in new channels everywhere offsets these challenges.

Misconceptions: We’ve often heard the assumption that English-language programming doesn’t travel well outside the US. E! has certainly quelled that, and we’ve proven it false more than a few times. Our Inside the Actors’ Studio is subtitled in other countries so that viewers can hear their favourite actors speaking in their own voices. Also, our TV Guide Network collection is based on American TV programmes and marquee Red Carpet events taking place in the US, but that certainly doesn’t stop buyers from being interested in, and acquiring, these shows.

Mipcom highlights: WOMEN ON DEATH ROW (3×90′), from Burrud Productions, demonstrates the societal and human contradictions between the feminine, maternal and, in most cases, loving aspects of womanhood, and the horrible, rage-filled murders these women committed. It has been presold to WE TV in the US.

STUNT STARS (13×30′, HD), produced by CMJ Productions, profiles the men and women whose dangerous work makes Hollywood look good. It explains why these adrenaline junkies risk life and limb for their craft. E! Entertainment, Canada, has picked up the series for air beginning in June 2008. TIMES TALKS (34×60′), from The New York Times Company, features in-depth conversations with well-known artists and entertainers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, the women of The Sopranos, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

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