Viewpoints: acquisitions strategies

Evelyn Raymundo
Vice President for Program Acquisitions
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
Philippines

What are your acquisition strategies?

We are always looking for good content of various genres that will continue to provide unique and exciting concepts that would interest our viewers. We aim to find the right mix of genres and content for our viewers. Primarily we need to be flexible and creative in our acquisitions.

What genres are you looking for?

For Telenovela and dramas: the interest for the more sensual and compelling storylines have returned thus we continue to look for telenovelas. For Asian soaps or Idol dramas: we look for series that are light-hearted in content with good-looking actors/actresses for the young profile of the country. For formats: we particularly look for reality or game show genres with new concepts that can bring freshness into our mix. For animation: anime is a good driver content for us. Action-oriented Japanese anime and some western type of animation always bring in viewers. Foreign content for children and teens in the form of cartoons and anime remain just as important to us.

Can you give us several titles of domestic and international products that you acquired this year?

Telenovelas.

"El Cuerpo", from Telemundo, just finished with good ratings. The male lead, Mario Cimarro, has a very strong local following. "La Traicion", from Telemundo, stars Mario Cimarro and Dana Garcia, the hottest on-screen couple that heats up our afternoon viewing. "Cuidado Con El Anghel" and "Un Gancho al Corazon" from Televisa.

Asian Dramas: "Hot Shot", Taiwanese romantic, drama series featuring Jerry Yan, Wu Chun and Show Lo, who are the hottest stars in Asia; Korean adaptation "Boys over Flowers".

Formats: "Fear Factor", from Endemol, specially formatted to suit the audience; "Singing Bee", from Zeal TV, began airing during weekdays in the primetime slot. Now, it airs during the weekends with a one hour time slot for the whole family to enjoy.

Animation: Animes like "Kiba and Gintama" which are action-oriented will best suit our young avid anime viewers.

How many hours of programming will you acquire this year?

For our Free TV network, ABS-CBN: about 900 hours. As we are launching our Digital Terrestrial Service in 2009 we are looking at doubling the number of hours. ABS-CBN subsidiary, CPI, acquires a minimum of 4,000 hours a year.

Products from what countries are important for you?

Japan for animation. Korea, Taiwan and Japan for core female/contemporary adult drama series.
U.S for major studio products. South America for Telenovelas