Viewpoints: sales strategies

Phil Hopkins, Monica Felicia, Ralph Stevens: Film Chest

What are the coming trends in prime-time programming in Western Europe ? Do you have programming on prime-time slots on Western European TV Channels?

Drama has already been a pre-requisite for Western European networks and this is an area that NBDtv has moved into strongly recently starting with Wind in the Willows which was shown on BBC One on 1st January 2007 receiving 5.3 million viewers and a 21% audience share.  NBDtv are also distributing "Bon Voyage" (2 x 70 ' or 1 x 104 ' ) which broadcast on ITV1 in October last year to great acclaim and received an audience of 4.2 million (20% share).

Bon Voyage

Music is also a major primetime programme within the Western European market and has always been a great part of the NBDtv catalogue. Recent sales include Take That to Germany, Italy (tbc) and the UK from the main Western broadcasters. Music documentary The Beatles in Love was also a major hit on BBC One over Christmas and has been sold into Spain and Italy (tbc at time of writing.). Ratings info is difficult to get hold of outside of the UK, but if you need anything, I can get something together.

Have you noticed an increased demand on American/European fare from Western European TV Channels?

Yes, the NBDtv dramas are co-prods between US/UK. Major European channels look for good quality drama from these markets, with well known actors from these territories such as Benedict Cumberbatch who is the hot product for 2007 with his involvement in UK studio films Atonement and The Other Boleyn Girl and stars in NBDtv distributed drama The Last Enemy. Major UK/US music artists such as Pink, Gwen Stefani, Il Divo and Anastasia are also very strong in the territory.

What is the main content of prime-time slots of Western European broadcasters?

Drama ("The Last Enemy") / Music (" Glastonbury ") / Entertainment documentaries ("The Beatles in Love").

What new programming will you bring at MIPTV?

" The Last Enemy ", " Glastonbury 2007 " - certain artists can be announced, " Isle of Wight 2007 ", " Pink ", " James Brown: Live in Berlin ", " Bob Marley: Live at the Rainbow ", and " Il Divo ".