American programming in Asia-Pacific

American programming is popular in the Asia-Pacific region. Many Asian TV Channels are looking for Hollywood content. High quality American movies, TV series and formats bring a broad audience Many American companies have already chosen Asian countries as their regional headquarters.

What Hollywood content is popular in this region? How American content can compete with Asian content on TV Channels? What Asian countries are most important for sales of American programming?

Miracle Screenings asked American companies about the development of their activities in this region.

Brendan Zauner Vice President - Asia Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution

Have you noticed an increasing demand for American fare from Asian Broadcasters?

It's a little hard to pinpoint one type of program that is preferred now. With the increase in availability of TV channels through Cable and the rollout of digital technology, the viewer is spoiled for choice. One of the continuing effects of channel expansion is that a greater variety of programming is available, and programs, which may otherwise have not been available, are now finding a home. All of this translates to an increase in demand for programming overall, to which Fox is one of the beneficiaries. Twentieth Century Fox is producing programs in all genres in an attempt to satisfy demand. At Fox, our main objective is to focus on what the consumer is doing and then to provide them with the broadest array of content delivered in whatever way they prefer to receive it. Evidence as to the distinct types of programming we are producing can be seen by listing some of the more recent success stories.

Prison Break

Can you tell us about your experience of sales into the Asia-Pacific Region? What Fox shows have already performed well in this region?

Television series such as "Prison Break", and soon-to-be-launched in Asia, "The Unit" and "Shark".

Evergreen programs like "The Simpsons" (18 seasons over 18 years), and 24 (6 seasons over 6 years), "X-Files" and "Ally McBeal" continue to do well. Recently released theatrical feature films ranging in genres from "The Devil Wears Prada", to "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Ice Age: Meltdown" which will become available to television in the not too distant future. More recently, Fox acquired the English language rights to various telenovelas, which were produced to form a prime-time programming block on the new network launched in the US - MyNetwork TV. Something for everyone! Fox has increased both the type of content, and the capability in licensing the local format rights to many of our scripted and non-scripted series. Most recently, the game show format "Prize Swap" was launched at MIPCOM and will feature in discussions at ATF. We have production entities within Asia Pacific in both Australia and India to provide the backup to any local format licenses, and over the past years, have successfully licensed within Asia, local versions of "Celebrity Spelling Bee", "Challenge of the Child Geniuses" and "Face Off" to name a few.

What Asian countries are most important for the sales of your products?

All of the countries in the Asia Pacific Region are important to our business. As mentioned above, the development of digital technology is making it possible to reach people cost effectively that were previously out of reach. Through sheer scale, countries like India and China, Korea and Indonesia, are expanding their technology base significantly, and conducting business that is becoming more productive. I feel confident that the future for the business in Asia is bright, and with the expansion of digital technology, Fox is participating in all areas, and the possibilities for reaching a truly diverse audience within the region through the most convenient distribution methods, is within our grasp.