Viewpoints: acquisitions strategies

Hans-Juergen Steimer
SVP Acquisitions and Co-productions
ZDF Enterprises GmbH
Germany

What are your acquisition strategies?

As a public service broadcaster ZDF is looking for programs of high quality. In general, one can say that ZDF programs (acquired, in-house produced or produced by independent producers) are content driven leaving the more fun-, trivial horror or voyeurism driven programs to the private competitors. From a strategic point of view ZDF has established with some producers / right holders who are able to fulfill ZDF's program needs long standing relationships (e.g. NBC Universal for feature films; A&E for high quality documentaries; Jonathan Shiff Productions for life action children's programs). In order to keep up with recent technical developments, ZDF also negotiates catch-up and streaming rights to offer its audience new services which go beyond the regular broadcasting service.

H2O - Just add water

What products are you looking for?

ZDF is looking for high quality programs with a main focus on feature films, documentaries (geo-political and contemporary history) and children's programs. With regards to children's programs ZDF is looking for both animation and life action programs. The majority of the acquired programs come from Europe, the US and Australia.

What were your key acquisition deals in 2007?

Feature films: "Inside Man" ; "The Holiday" ; "Flight 93" ; "The Queen" ; "Happy Feet". TV movies / Mini-series: "Midsummer Murders" ; "Inspector Lynley Murder Mysteries" ; "War and Peace" (4 x 90').

Children's programs: "H2O – Just add Water" 2 nd season, live action series (26 x 24'); "Land before time", animation series (26 x 26'); "Roary the racing car", stop-frame and animation series (52 x 11').