Dorit Schilling
Sales Executive Eastern Europe
Granada International
United Kingdom
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What are the coming trends in prime time programming in Eastern Europe ?
Eastern European broadcasters are acquiring prime time TV movies and Granada 's Hollywood TV movies are hugely popular and a guarantee for success in the region. The range of genres covers romance, crime, murder mystery and disaster.
Also, due to the Football World Cup this year our clients have been interested in football related programming in particular. One of our top sellers at MIP TV 2006 was the movie "All in the Game" a powerful and gripping depiction of the modern football industry starring Ray Winstone.
Docu-dramas work well in Eastern Europe, combining educational aspects with dramatization. The most beautiful product of this kind in our most recent catalogue is the BBC production "The Impressionists". We launched it at MIP TV 2006 and my clients were just "impressed".
Finally, prime time entertainment shows are still very popular. "Surprise, Surprise" for example continues to be a huge success in Romania. We are also excited about the prospects for our hot new format "Dancing on Ice" and we're talking to a number of broadcasters and production companies in the region about the show.
What are the coming trends in production/distribution of TV?
It is fairly obvious that Eastern European territories are looking more and more into format production. Not only game shows but also scripted formats are also on the increase. At Granada International we are working with our clients to offer them a wide selection of programs as well as a successful adaptation. Two of our leading brands, which are available as a format, are "Cracker" and "Cold Feet".
Can you name products that were aired in Eastern Europe during 2005?
Monster Garage is a fast paced and very imaginative series, which is available as a finished show and as a format. It focuses on the extreme makeover of cars. TVN Turbo - a male skewed channel in Poland - has bought all the episodes and the ratings are constantly on a good level. Due to this success TVN is now buying "Monster House", the equivalent to "Monster Garage" with the focus on extreme house makeovers.
One of our best sellers all over Eastern Europe is "Agatha Christie's Poirot". Slovak TV established this brand very successfully when Series 9 was on air in 2005, and achieved good ratings for the channel.
"Agatha Christie's Marple" is another period drama, which has already become a guarantee for success. The public broadcaster in Croatia started airing this series at Christmas 2005. Episode 1 was on air at HTV2 and obtained above average ratings for the slot.
Finally, I would like to mention the huge success of our Hollywood TV movies. Our key titles last year were "Dangerous Waters: Shark Attack" and "Locusts: Day of Destruction". In Romania "Locusts: Day of Destruction" got healthy ratings on Pro TV.
Do you have products in production or that are being aired in Eastern European countries in 2006?
One of the highlights is the success of Granada 's format "Nanny 911" in the Czech Republic. Prima TV produced the first thirteen episodes and started airing it in April 2006. It is aired every Wednesday from 8:00 pm. The third episode received a healthy share of 33.62 %.
Which Eastern European countries are important for your business?
Of course all territories are very important to me, as the Eastern European television market is a very complex and developing one. Our catalogue offers a wide range of programs, which fulfill different channel needs. There are always opportunities to maintain or establish business relationships and there is a huge appetite for Granada International's products.
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