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Tag: MIPCOM 2014

  • Venus Entertainment to woo buyers at MIPCOM

    Venus Entertainment to woo buyers at MIPCOM

    MUMBAI: It’s not just Indian television content. Bollywood too is the buzzword at MIPCOM 2014, the biggest content market in the world and Venus Entertainment is out there to woo buyers with its set of films.

    With movies like De Dana Dan, Garam Masala, Tezz, The Train, Main Hoon Na, Aksar, Hulchul, Hungama, Humraaz, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Ajnabee, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Josh, Mela, Bandhan, Keemat, Yes Boss, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Baazigar and many more to its kitty, it has surely has a huge library to showcase at the event.

    Venus was founded in 1985 to set up a record label in Mumbai. The company initially produced non-film albums and gradually bagged the worldwide rights of Bollywood film music and created a niche for itself in the music world.

    It then evolved into producing motion pictures and has become one of the top production houses in Bollywood. It has an integrated business model covering the entire value chain from Motion Pictures Production and Record Label to Distribution worldwide.

    Today, the company has diversified into myriad fields, encompassing different facets of the entertainment industry. Besides Record Label, Motion Pictures Production and Distribution, Venus is actively involved in production of ad films, post production and state-of-the-art music recording studio.

    Being a regular MIPCOM participant for the last seven years, Venus Entertainment international sales head Sushil Jain feels MIPCOM is a great platform to meet content owners, buyers and distributors from across the globe and gain knowledge and feedback. “We have regularly been attending MIP TV and MIPCOM for the last seven years. We have been selling movies and this is a great platform where we can know how to make our content better.”

    Jain will be focusing on markets like African, Middle East, European and Asian. “There is a great demand and interest for Bollywood movies from such markets,” says Jain. Moreover, it will be focusing on all platforms like television, digital, new media and etc.

     

  • Prime Focus Technologies’ first trip to MIPCOM

    Prime Focus Technologies’ first trip to MIPCOM

    MUMBAI: As MIPCOM, the biggest content market in the world celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is happy to debut there and transform the interactions at MIP into valuable opportunities.

     

    PFT offers customers transformational solutions that help virtualise the content supply chain and digitally mediate enterprise workflows to manage not just the content, but the business of content. CLEAR, its award-winning hybrid cloud technology enabled media ERP platform and digital content services helps drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiencies and sustainability, reduce cost and realise new monetisation opportunities.

     

    Prime Focus Technologies associate VP Sanjeev Das says that the  reason for participating at the exhibition is because he believes MIPCOM is a global market for entertainment content across all platforms and it is a great opportunity for PFT to showcase its portfolio of cloud enabled services. “We have a strong and proven services portfolio. We deliver to some of the biggest broadcast networks, studios, brands and sports bodies in the world. In terms of breadth of services offered as well as volumes handled, PFT is unrivalled. With such a strong portfolio, we believe we are in the best position to help the content owners manage their content efficiently.”

     

    PFT annually manages 350,000 hours of content; delivers over 100,000 hours of digitisation and more than 10 million files for TV everywhere platforms. Moreover it has over 35,000 hours of subtitling/closed captioning and 5,000 hours of dubbing and about 50,000 tags daily.

     

    15000 hours of content is processed on operations cloud in two months, 70,000 assets published to new media annually and manage content workflows across 168 physical sites. Plus, PFT is also certified by YouTube for audience development.

     

    “Prime Focus’ network of studios and world sourcing model ensures we have infrastructure across all major content markets and ability to source expert talent locally to deliver the service. We are ISO 27001 certified and the only company to offer SLAs on cloud,” says Das.

     

    Also, with its latest offer – ‘Journey to the cloud’, Das feels that content owners can now enjoy CLEAR’s operations cloud where they don’t just store and transcode, but also perform end-to-end content operations on cloud.

     

    Das has scheduled meetings at the event, predominantly one to one interactions where it will be in a position to assess and talk through concerns/challenges and see how PFT can help manage the business of content better.

     

    So what content and property, PFT plans to sell at MIPCOM? PFT offers cloud-enabled content services like bulk digitisation, mastering, localisation services like dubbing and subtitling, digital play-out services, contextual advertising and metadata services at high quality and low costs.
    “We achieve that by leveraging our global delivery model and ‘True North’, the world’s largest digital media services cloud. Operations Cloud, part of the CLEAR Media ERP Suite is ready-to-deploy with a wide range of preset robots to (TVE, customer portal etc, Netflix, YT, DPP) – they enjoy faster time-to-market at lowest costs. All this with pre-defined SLAs and timely counsel,” says Das.

     

    PFT aims to tap into EMEA and SEA markets with a focus on both linear and non-linear platforms.

     

    It expects to meet as many content owners and familiarise them with CLEAR and the value PFT can bring to them. “We help drive greater efficiencies, cost rationalisation and business certainty,” concludes Das.

     

  • MDS to debut at MIPCOM 2014

    MDS to debut at MIPCOM 2014

    MUMBAI: It has been a pioneer in the art and technology of computer animation and digital VFX in India since the early 90s. Carrying the legacy of world-class 3D animation and digital visual effects for over 17 years, Maya Digital Studios (MDS) stands for continuous innovations and cutting-edge technology.

     

    It also offers competence in high-quality 2D animation as well as Stereoscopic 3D conversion of content. It has demonstrated the capability to conceptualise and produce complex feature film length animated films like Ramayana: The Epic.

     

    Travelling for the first time to MIPCOM, the biggest content market in the world which attracts more than 12,000 participants from more than 100 countries, MDS is all geared for it.

     

    Says MDS head sales and marketing, creative writer Devdatta Potnis: “We are one of the largest television animation production houses in the country. We are doing shows for all the leading broadcasters in India and are looking at widening our horizons with MIPCOM.”

     

    As an exhibitor, it plans to sell animated TV series and capture those audiences with the Hindi content that it has on its plate. Moreover, the company is seeking international co-productions for its upcoming projects. “We have set up a few meetings where we will be discussing selling of rights of the shows that we already have. That is our main agenda,” says Potnis.

     

    Apart from a focus on the high-end animation outsourcing, MDS is now also focussed on the development of IPR content, through the creation of Indian content that crosses over globally. MDS’s recent offerings, The Adventures of Motu Patlu and VIR -The Robot Boy, are drawing high TRPs in the Indian kids TV space.

     

    At this year’s MIPCOM, the company is moving to broader territories like outside of Asian or European markets. Its aim is to focus on platforms like television, digital and VOD.

     

    MDS has had undertaken international collaborations to produce content for BBC (UK), Ragdoll (UK), Rainbow, Mike Young Productions (USA), Electronic Arts (Canada), Sony (USA), Activision (USA), Google (USA), Big Screen Entertainment (India), VGI Entertainment (UK), Brown Bag Films (Ireland), Flickerpix (USA), Norm Hill Entertainment (USA) and Sparky (Singapore) amongst others.

  • MIPCOM 2014: Toonz Animation looks at international co-productions

    MIPCOM 2014: Toonz Animation looks at international co-productions

    MUMBAI: From the creation of India’s first 2D animated TV series and 2D feature film, to India’s first 3D stereoscopic theatrical- Toonz Animation has indeed emerged as one of the biggest and the most admired animation production houses in South Asia.

     

    With an established clientele of the likes of Walt Disney, Turner, Nickelodeon, Sony, Universal, BBC, Paramount, Marvel and Hallmark, Toonz Animation, which is celebrating 15 years of animation journey, has emerged the preferred destination for major European and North American media conglomerates.

     

    Providing an integrated value chain in conceptualisation, production and distribution of content and services across diverse media platforms, the company is all set to attend MIPCOM, the largest conglomeration of the entertainment industry, to showcase its new products and library.

     

    Participating for over a decade now, it tags itself as the flag-bearer of the Indian animation industry at MIPCOM. Toonz Animation CEO P. Jayakumar believes that MIPCOM is a platform that serves an opportunity to meet all such stakeholders who can make a difference to selling of the content produced by Toonz. “MIPCOM provides the platform to meet the producers, financers, distributors and important stakeholders, who can buy our content or collaborate with Toonz to produce content.”

     

    This year, Toonz is specifically looking at buying content in the action comedy adventure genre which Jayakumar feels has a huge demand in the Indian market. “But we are also looking at expanding in the Asia Pacific region and hence, will look at content that will work in general with such regions as well,” he adds.

     

    He further reveals that this year it is planning to tap into the Indian and Asian markets with focus on broadcast, VOD and digital platforms.

     

    Moreover, it is launching a new show called ‘HTDT’, a 52 x 11 minutes series. The show which is created by live shots and produced and distributed by Toonz, is currently in pre-sale.

     

    So what does the company expect from MIPCOM this year? “We’re hoping to have maximum exposure and opportunities to meet with those interested in our library of content, which has, Wolverine, Magic beyond Words and FreeFonix series.”

     

    Jayakumar hopes to get a few international co-productions kick started and meet with international producers interested in producing content, for which the company can get Indian rights. 

  • GoQuest Media Ventures readies for MIPCOM

    GoQuest Media Ventures readies for MIPCOM

    MUMBAI: The stage is set for the world’s biggest market for content, MIPCOM 2014, which will see distributors and broadcasters meet and exchange ideas/concepts.

     

    Though participating companies (both buyers and exhibitors) all over the world are still busy with their last minute preparations, GoQuest Media Ventures managing director Vivek Lath has packed all his bags and ready to leave.

     

    The company, which tags itself as the content distributors for the new age, will be attending the exhibition for the third year in a row.

     

    So what is the company looking at buying at this year’s MIPCOM? Its main focus will be to buy foreign content like Turkish dramas and Hollywood content to sell in India and sell Indian content like Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Du from Star Plus, Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des on Sahara One and many more to the international markets.

     

    The company has already sold more than 2000 hours of Indian television soaps in Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and Europe. Concentrating not only on television, it also helps the content reach across the world and makes most amount of money from video platforms through digital distribution.

     

    The company acts more like distributor as it has partnered with broadcasters like Sahara One, Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Zoom, NDTV Lifestyle and many more.

     

    Lath reveals that this year it is planning to once again tap into markets like Eastern Europe, Africa, South East Asia, Middle East and Russia.

     

    The firm will concentrate on electronic media, specifically television, IPTV and VOD platforms. “We are very focused on selling in these areas. That is our strength,” states Lath. Lath believes that the MIPCOM this year for the company will be all about 50 per cent of re-connecting and 50 per cent of making connections with the new markets and platforms and digital is one of them.

     

    “This year we do expect to meet some interesting VOD players. MIPCOM has always been like a yearly pilgrimage where you have to go and meet people from the industry,” signs off Lath.

  • Scripps Networks to launch 1,200 hours of original programming at MIPCOM 2014

    Scripps Networks to launch 1,200 hours of original programming at MIPCOM 2014

    MUMBAI: Scripps Networks International that develops home, food and travel lifestyle content, announced that its newly established program sales and distribution division will introduce 1,200 hours of fresh content at MIPCOM 2014.

     

    This will include its network channels Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel. “The breadth of Scripps Networks offering includes a vibrant mix of home, food and travel content spanning culinary competition, adventure, food travelogues, home make-over, property and investment shows,” said International Program Licensing and Distribution VP Hud Woodle. “With genuine storytelling, compelling personalities and high entertainment value at the core of every show, Scripps Networks’ high-quality lifestyle and factual entertainment programming is a must-have for programmers.” He added.

     

    The following are a few key titles featured in the MIPCOM 2014 sales catalogue.

     

    Home                                                       

    TV icon William Shatner is going boldly into a brand new adventure in The Shatner Project (Scott Sternberg Productions for DIY Network, 6 x 30) – as project manager of his own remodel. He’s giving his outdated 1980s home a full makeover, from demolition to rebuilding and design to decorating.

     

    For third-generation alligator farmers Britney, Kasey and Chelsea Brooks, no task is too tough when you’re Growing Up Gator (2C Media for Great American Country, 6 x 30), whether it’s raising over 7,000 gators at their family farm to wrangling massive gators during rescue missions.

     

    A hit restoration series Salvage Dawgs (Trailblazer Studios, NC, Inc. for DIY Network, 52 x 30) sees co-owners of premier architectural salvage operation Black Dog Salvage bid on condemned homes and buildings in order to secure valuable vintage pieces to resell.

     

    Also making its market debut is the show House Hunters franchise, including hit spinoffs House Hunters International: Where Are They Now? (Leopard Films for HGTV, 10 x 30), where we revisit the most memorable families to check out their amazing renovations, and House Hunters: Off the Grid (Leopard Films for HGTV, 5 x 30), which takes house hunting to the extreme as buyers tour unconventional properties way off the beaten path.

     

    Food

    Scripps Networks’ food programme Bite This with Nadia G (Tricon Films and Television for Cooking Channel, 14 x 30) and Restaurant Redemption for Asian cuisine.(Lion TV for Cooking Channel, 26 x 30).

     

    Travel

    Scripps Networks’ travel series transport adrenaline seekers and voyeuristic travelers alike. From the depths of the jungle comes Hotel Amazon (Crazy Legs Productions for Travel Channel, 6 x 60), a fascinating look at the grueling experience of building a world-class resort in the middle of the Amazon.

     

    The ultimate house gazing road trip goes beyond the gate in Mega Mansions (Indigo Films for Travel Channel, 6 x 30), as viewers get an exclusive look at America’s most enormous and opulent mansions.

     

    Take a trip with adventure seeker Don Wildman as he explores America’s most extraordinary monuments and intriguing events and characters in Monumental Mysteries (Optomen Productions, Inc. for Travel Channel, 40 x 60).          

     

     

  • Fremantlemedia set to enthrall global audiences with trailblazing new formats

    Fremantlemedia set to enthrall global audiences with trailblazing new formats

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia will launch a range of sensational new formats at MIPCOM 2014 that are set to provide buyers with even more original, creative and exciting ideas to thrill audiences around the world.

     

    Rob Clark, Director of Global Entertainment said: “Our MIPCOM 2014 slate is incredibly strong and really delivers creative, original formats that have a proven ratings track record. I believe that we’ve got something for every broadcaster for both their prime-time and access schedules, l am very excited by the calibre of shows we have to offer and can’t wait for the market….bring it on.”

     

    First off the block is high-octane entertainment format, Master Athletes, a development from FremantleMedia North America. This intense and ground breaking reality show is a visually stunning prime-time reality competition where 24 ultra-fit members of the public, prepare themselves for a gruelling 10-week challenge. The athletes teamed in mixed sex pairs live, eat, sleep and train together in the Master Athletes Village where relationships develop, alliances are formed and the intense battle begins. To win, the teams must conquer 10 sporting disciplines. Each episode sees the athletes’ fitness and teamwork tested to the max as they take part in different events to qualify for the next round. The top teams from the first two events leap to the next episode while the two lowest placed teams compete in a final head to head duel for the last remaining qualification spot. As the competition heats up, only the strongest team can survive and claim victory. Master Athletes was the second highest rated show of the week in Sweden and it was Sweden’s highest rated new summer season launch since 2011. Produced by FremantleMedia Sweden for SVT, the Swedish version (Swedish title – Athlets) launched in August 2014.

     

    Heaven or Hell, devised by FremantleMedia owned UFA Show & Factual, is a game of two halves. The hit gameshow launched this summer on ProSieben’s Pro.7 and became the channel’s highest rated new entertainment launch of the year so far having achieved Germany’s highest ratings of 2014 amongst the commercial target of 14-49 year olds.

     

    Heaven or Hell is at times shocking, and devilishly different to other traditional gameshows. Heaven, a quiz set bathed in white lights, is a place where contestants attempt to win up to €50K by correctly answering a series of multiple choice questions. If they’re unsure of an answer, but wish to continue playing they have to descend into HELL, a fiery pit where they must successfully complete a Hellish and hilarious Jackass-style challenge. The format is a must see TV event with a blend of traditional quiz and a unique style of questioning where anything can happen. Heaven or Hell is a brilliantly promotable and hilarious gameshow in which contestants need to be fearless and game for a challenge. Anyone winning on Heaven or Hell is sure to have been to Hell and back.

     

    FremantleMedia will test audience’s celebrity knowledge with the launch of Celebrity Name Game. Originally developed by Courteney Cox and David Arquette, the format is co-produced by FremantleMedia North America and Debmar-Mercury. This celebrity packed, quick-thinking gameshow combines the best of pop culture with laugh-out-loud comedy as celebrities team up with contestants to identify famous names including actors, singers, athletes, pop culture figures, politicians and even cartoon characters, using only improvised clues. Debuting as a daily strip in the US this September, Celebrity Name Game is on track to deliver huge laughs and huge audiences with a host of celebrity guests.

     

    My Mom Cooks Better Than Yours, produced by Mandarina in Spain, will be cooking up a storm at MIPCOM 2014. The fast-paced culinary gameshow combines cooking, competition and family dynamics in the ultimate recipe for success. A comedy of cooking errors and kitchen calamities are guaranteed when two teams, a Mother and their culinary challenged son or daughter, compete against one another for a tasty cash prize. With the clock ticking, tempers can soon start to boil-over as the contestant has to listen carefully to their mom who is watching – and interfering – from the sidelines. If things start to go wrong the Mom can push a ‘panic button’ which allows them to intervene, but it also makes the time wind down twice as fast. Once each team has had their turn, a food critic blind tastes both dishes and reveals which contestant’s ‘mom cooks better.’ A cooking show with a secret ingredient, My Mom Cooks Better Than Yours broadcasts daily on Cuatro and is in its third series.

     

    Last up is Virtually Famous, an inventive new panel show format. From globally famous viral memes and twitter rants, to the greatest YouTube posts and Vine shorts, three rival teams battle it out for points over the online moments that have got millions of us laughing. The stars behind the classic clips will also be celebrated with special guest appearances from some of the creators of the online content. Virtually Famous is originated by FremantleMedia owned Talkback and Hungry Bear Media, and was originally produced for E4 in the UK where it is hosted by Glee star Kevin McHale.

     

    Visit FremantleMedia at MIPCOM 2014 at Stand No. C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), Palais du Festival, 13 – 16 October.

  • Simon Cowell named MIPCOM 2014 personality of the year

    Simon Cowell named MIPCOM 2014 personality of the year

    MUMBAI: Entertainment industry creative icon Simon Cowell is to be honoured as the MIPCOM 2014 Personality of the Year.

    The TV and film producer, music label boss and internationally-renowned talent show judge will receive his award at a gala dinner for industry executives at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes on Tuesday 14 October. On Monday 13 October, Cowell will give a keynote interview in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals.

    One of the best-known faces on TV screens in the world, Cowell has transformed popular culture in the 21st century through his wide-reaching TV and music enterprise.

    “Simon Cowell is a visionary producer whose television franchises are on air in almost 200 territories around the world, underlining his status as a global creative icon. In recognition of his amazing career as a creator of international formats and his formidable impact on the entertainment industry as a whole, we are honoured to welcome him to Cannes as the MIPCOM 2014 Personality of the Year,” said Paul Zilk, CEO of Reed MIDEM, organiser of MIPCOM.

     

    Cowell’s Syco Entertainment is a world-renowned music, film, and television production company responsible for some of the most successful global music and television franchises. Syco’s television assets include the two international phenomenon formats: “Got Talent” and “The X Factor” both created by Simon Cowell. The Syco Music roster includes stars such as One Direction, Little Mix, Susan Boyle, Ella Henderson, Il Divo, Labrinth, Cher Lloyd, Fifth Harmony, Alex & Sierra, and Collabro. 

    Under Cowell’s stewardship, Syco Entertainment continues to develop global TV formats that have appeal throughout the TV, Film and digital world.

    In April, “Got Talent” was officially named the World’s Most Successful Reality Television Format by The Guinness Book of Records. Alongside Syco’s longstanding co-production partner, FremantleMedia, original versions of Got Talent are now being produced in 62 territories worldwide. Emmy-nominated “America’s Got Talent” has been the No.1 rated summer programme ever since its launch in June 2006. Now in its ninth consecutive season, the show currently airs in 193 countries worldwide.

    “The X Factor” is now produced in 49 territories around the world since its launch in the UK in 2004 where it remains the #1 entertainment show and a cultural phenomenon. The format has launched more superstar artists’ careers than any other TV format. Artists discovered by the show worldwide have sold more than 160 million records, including 170 No.1 hits, and 380 Top 10 records.

    In 2002, Cowell became lead judge of the fledgling “American Idol.” By the final of the second series in 2003, a staggering 38 million Americans were tuning in to watch Cowell on the show. Cowell was the lead judge on the US “X Factor” for three years from 2011 before leaving to make his return to the UK show as a judge for its 11th season, which begins in August 2014.

    In August 2013, Cowell produced his first feature film, “One Direction: This Is Us.” The movie debuted at No.1 at both the US and UK box offices, before going on to enjoy international success.

    For his newest take on the singing competition genre, Cowell has teamed up with Univision to create “La Banda,” a series which will search the US and Latin America for the next Latino boy band in 2015. Syco also recently announced a ground-breaking new music show, “Ultimate DJ,” in partnership with SFX and T Mobile.

  • James Murdoch to deliver MIPCOM media mastermind keynote

    James Murdoch to deliver MIPCOM media mastermind keynote

    MUMBAI: 21st Century Fox co-chief operating officer James Murdoch will give the first media mastermind keynote interview in MIPCOM 2014. He will address delegates in Cannes on Monday, 13 October.

     

    Murdoch works across 21st Century Fox’s global portfolio of businesses and has direct responsibility for the group’s television interests, which includes Fox Networks Group in the United States and, internationally, the Company’s holdings in BSkyB, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and Star India.

     

    “We are extremely honoured to welcome James Murdoch as MIPCOM’s opening mastermind keynote interview,” said Reed MIDEM’s Television Division – director Laurine Garaude in a statement.

     

    According to Garaude, 21st Century Fox has dared to challenge convention, reshaping the industry and developing businesses that are large employers of creative talent. “Their commitment to international television production coupled with their interests in pan-European pay-TV makes this a unique opportunity to hear about the group’s plans from a recognised leader in the television industry. At a time when the quest for powerful original content has never been so relevant we are delighted to have James Murdoch speak at MIPCOM 2014 and look forward to contributing to the global debate on creativity in today’s digital era.”

     

    Organised by Reed MIDEM, the 30th anniversary of MIPCOM will take place in Cannes from 13-16 October 2014.
     

  • Mexico is Country of Honour at Mipcom 2014

    Mexico is Country of Honour at Mipcom 2014

    CANNES: After Argentina, it is Mexico’s turn to be crowned ‘Country of Honour’ for Mipcom.

    The Mipcom 2014 ‘Country of Honour’ protocol was signed today by Reed Midem entertainment director Jerome Delhaye and ProMexico CEO Francisco N Gonzalez Diaz, making Mexico – the largest producer of Spanish language content – the Country of Honour for Mipcom 2014, scheduled to be held in Cannes from 13-16 October 2014.

    Speaking at the occasion, Reed Midem director television division Laurine Garaude said: “ProMexico’s support for the ‘Country of Honour’ initiative reflects Mexico’s commitment to developing its entertainment industry across the global market.”

    Gonzalez Diaz said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the announcement of Mexico being the ‘Country of Honour’ for next year. We will be delighted to showcase why Mexico is becoming such a sweet spot in this industry.”

    Mipcom 2014 will see a dedicated focus on Mexico’s vibrant television, film and digital media industries. ‘Focus on Mexico’ will feature high-level conferences, screenings, co-production matchmaking and Mexican themed networking events. 

    To be launched at MipTV 2014, ‘Focus on Mexico’ will extend through Mipcom, aiming to provide global entertainment executives an opportunity to discover the country’s rich content across fiction, documentary, factual, formats, animation, digital media and kids’ content.

    Gonzalez Diaz added: “Mexico’s recognised talent as well as very competitive costs, high quality infrastructure, natural wonders, world renowned hospitality, attractive market, proximity to key international spots and generous incentives has turned our country into the industry’s destination of choice.”

    The ‘Country of Honour’ programme is organised in partnership with ProMexico, the government agency that supports Mexican exports internationally and is in charge of attracting investments into the country.