Viewpoints: acquisitions strategies

Diane Bliss
VP Fundraising Program Development
DPTV / PBS
United States

What are your acquisition strategies?

The PBS viewer who makes a voluntary contribution to support the overall quality programming is what keeps each PBS station on the air in the U.S.  We look to provide unique shows during our pledge periods that will encourage the viewer to pick up the phone and make a pledge.  That viewer also likes to receive a'thank you gift'to extend their viewing experience beyond the broadcast.  DVDs and CDs of concerts from world artists like Daniel O"Donnell are popular'thank you gifts'as are books by self-help experts like Dr. Michael Roizen ("The RealAge Doctor").  So the combination of an emotional viewing experience coupled with a nice'thank you gift'are the keys to pledge success and the kind of products I seek to acquire or produce. 

What products are you looking for?

I look for music concerts; documentaries about artists that contain a lot of musical performance content and life-style programs that help viewers improve themselves mentally and / or physically.  They are usually 60 or 80 minute specials rather than any type of series or format project and they are the popular genres for PBS pledge programs.  The programs need to be done in English without subtitles. 

What were your key acquisition deals in 2007?

At MIPTV last year, I was able to acquire a great documentary about Mario Lanza from the BBC and a compelling musical concert featuring Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings from Canadian producers.   

What are your plans for MIPTV?

I'm hoping to find programs that inspire viewers to action.  When a person wants to do more than just watch a program, it has the makings for a potential pledge show and that what I'm here to find.