ITV

Tag: Rupert Gavin

  • ‘People are turning to the BBC as a source of global perspective on world events’ : Rupert Gavin Chief executive of BBC Worldwide’s

    For Rupert Gavin, BBC Worldwide’s chief executive, a trip to India seems linked to announcing a new programming initiative with Star India.

    Last year he was in Mumbai in the middle of October to announce a licencing agreement with Star for the popular British television serials Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister for broadcast in Hindi as Ji Mantriji and Ji Pradhanmantriji respectively. Ji Mantriji is currently running on Star but Ji Pradhanmantriji seems to have gone into permanent cold storage.

    This time round (25 October to be exact) it was to announce The Weakest Link, the biggest programming hit to come out of the BBC Worldwide stables in the last decade.

    The largest non-US, English language television programme producer and exporter in the world (2000-01 programme sales increased from ?138m to ?150m), BBC Worldwide is still in the build phase as far as India is concerned, Gavin says. It is building the brand, building its presence so that it will be in a position to make investments. Once that happens, maybe India will contribute more than the 2 per cent it currently does to BBC Worldwide’s sales.

    In an interview with indiantelevision.com’s Thomas Abraham, Gavin outlined BBC Worldwide’s plans in the changed scenario post-11 September.

    Post September 11, has there has been any particular change in strategy, how has the business model changed?
    Since then, a lot has changed. Obviously our news programming, our news channels, have gained a lot. The world market has opened for documentaries. See, we probably have some of the best documentaries on Bin Laden, Al Qaida (the chief suspects in the attacks on the World Trade Centre). Nobody wanted them eight weeks ago. Now suddenly people who were not aware of these guys’ movements are showing interest in buying these documentaries.

    We are also aware of a shift in demand to a slightly more serious, more factual programming ethos. I think people’s attitude to life, certainly in the West, has changed.

    Is there a transformation in people’s demands, are they more interested in trying to figure out what is happening outside America?
    Big transformation. We have a lot of demand because a lot of the American papers have been writing that America’s television news has become exclusively domestic. And certainly people are turning to the BBC as being a source of global perspective on world events. They are sad events no doubt but they have had a very significant and positive impact on us.

    Obviously, the advertising market has been precarious. But the advertising market has been precarious all the way round the world. And that has an effect on us. But we will have to see how that shapes through.

    ‘We are interested in bringing in more BBC channels, or channels in partnership with other people’

    As a long term effect?
    Whether it is a long term downturn or whether it is just a cycle.

    What do you propose in India? Last year, there were a lot of things happening. There was also talk that you were in discussions with the Indian government regarding investment plans in broadcasting. What came of that?

    We are still in discussions. It has been very a turbulent market and some of the changes that were going to take place did not. DTH, things like that, due to tight government restrictions. We are interested in the investment market in India. But things will have to move a little faster.

    What projects are you looking at other than these?
    We are interested in bringing in more BBC channels, or channels in partnership with other people. We are also interested in the radio market.

    We are also expanding our publishing operations. At the moment, our publishing is gaining partnership with Penguin and the Noddies with Egmont.

    From our perspective, and the traditional way that we work, is to expand by way of working with existing players on a licensed basis.

    When we build on a sufficient scale in the market, we will start investing as well in infrastructure.

    That is the programme of activity – we are in the build phase, which is why we are doing things with Star. Which is where Teletubbies and Noddy come in, as well as Ji Mantriji, the books with Penguin. We are actually building the brand, building our presence and that will help us to be in a position to make investments.

    Any concrete investment plans?
    Bring in channel operations. We are also looking at the possibilities of Radio, and publishing, maybe even magazines.

    These will be BBC publications printed in India for sale in India?
    Yes.

    As far as radio is concerned, do you have that kind of cachet in India? I think radio as a medium seems to have lost out.
    We are primarily on short wave, with a certain amount of FM redistribution. But that’s all. We have got to get to a stage where it is accepted that BBC news can be broadcast on domestic channels.

    Basically FM? Is that what you are looking at?
    That’s right.

    ‘We have got to get to a stage where it is accepted that BBC news can be broadcast on domestic channels’

    But you say you have a small band on FM. Could you elaborate on that?
    I think we must be having. It’s not my particular area but we do have a range of partnerships for FM redistribution around the world. Or, a lot of people are listening to us on the Internet. But obviously for India, the bulk of our dependence is on short wave.

    Talking about your short wave listenership, have you tracked that in any way? Has it gone down?
    It has remained pretty steady, actually. It’s surprising that. It’s not increasing but it’s stable.

    Any numbers?
    It’s around 30 million. It’s very substantial considering that our total weekly listenership to the (BBC) World Service around the world is around 153 million.

    What do you think about broadband, the Internet? Even in the West, it has not taken off, leave aside India.
    We are the biggest Internet content provider outside America. We just keep pumping out internet content. We use more video content than any other internet provider in the world. And that’s part of the service we provide.

    As people’s connections get faster and faster, their appreciation of our service also gets better. But we’ve always been ahead of the curve. That’s why we have all of our radio channels on the Internet. That’s why we have all of our news bulletins, a lot of our video archives on the Internet. We have more video and audio on the Internet than any other media company in the world.

    What about the revenue model? That’s the question any Net-based venture confronts today.
    The majority of is publicly funded. That is our unique difference. We are able to do that because of public funding.

    What about BBC’s current investments in India, is it increasing… decreasing?
    Increasing. I can’t give you any figures though.

    What about worldwide sales figures; what is coming out of Asia and how much is the contribution of India in percentages?
    It’s modest. Of our total worldwide sales it’s about two per cent.

    And Asia?
    Asia is more substantial. Asia is about 15 per cent, but that includes Australia, which is a very big market for us. Bear in mind that 50 per cent of our sales are in the UK

    Still? But wasn’t that the sales break-up average in 1999? You were thinking it would go up weren’t you? But it hasn’t really gone up.
    No it has. The international is now above. So we have moved from international (sales) being about 45 per cent to about 55 per cent. That’s been the change over three years.

  • BBC Motion Gallery to give online access to image clips

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide the commercial arm of the BBC has announced the launch of BBC Motion Gallery. This will provide direct access via the Internet to moving image clips from the BBC and CBS News archives.

    BBC Motion Gallery incorporates and extends BBC Worldwide’s existing 10 million pounds footage sales business by developing new opportunities outside the traditional broadcast market. In addition it will provide cost-effective, creative solutions to media professionals on a global basis.

    As part of the launch BBC Motion Gallery has developed a website bbcmotiongallery.com. It has a core collection of some 10,000 moving images from which media professionals around the world will be able to search and license clips for a wide variety of uses ranging from corporate videos, new media, advertising, TV and feature films.

    Providing an effective and efficient business tool, the new online platform will be the commercial gateway to the vast range of content held in two of the largest broadcast archives in the world BBC and CBS News. Representing just “the tip of the iceberg” in terms of size and scope, the content on the site will be constantly updated.

    A sophisticated search engine and project management tools make it easy for users to access the relevant content and collaborate with colleagues through the site. The first stage of the website development gives customers the opportunity, for the first time, to view moving images from the BBC archive. Additional functionality will be added to the site over time to provide further features.

    BBC Worldwide CEO Rupert Gavin said, ” It is crucial that we maximise the value of the BBC archive. By using digital technology we will open up our business to its full potential. The overall global market in archive footage is estimated to be worth around 150 million pounds per annum and our new service will give us a bigger foothold in this very important market.”

    BBC Motion Gallery MD Simon Gibbs added, “The demand for motion imagery is forecast to grow substantially over the next decade. The expansion of broadband and third generation telephony is opening up an increasing number of media outlets. As one of the world’s leading media companies, with its access to a vast archive and a substantial global reach, this is a natural market for BBC Worldwide to exploit.”

    The BBC archive houses some 500 million feet of film and 350,000 hours of video dating from 1934. More than 200 hours of new content is added every week. The extensive collection spans all genres from news, natural history, and wildlife, locations, science, technology, the performing arts. The archive offers an abundance of original programming such as iTop Of the Pops, The Office, Walking with Dinosaurs and The Blue Planet.

    From CBS News clients can select footage covering almost every major historic event from the past 50 years. They include the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War and Neil Armstrong’s first lunar steps, the Challenger explosion and the events of 9/11.

  • BBC Worldwide chief Rupert Gavin quits

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide chief executive Rupert Gavin has resigned. Gavin’s resignation follows the corporation’s announcement of a wide-ranging review of its entire commercial operation.
    Gavin who joined BBC Worldwide in 1998 has been regarded as the driving force behind the success of the Worldwide enterprise. Gavin will assist the BBC on finding a replacement and handover issues until he leaves in October.
    Gavin said in his statement, “This is the seventh record year in succession that we have achieved since I joined BBC Worldwide back in 1998. Since that date, we have generated a total of ?704 million for the BBC and are well on our way to achieving the long term targets that the government set us.
    “In addition the company achieved a record 109 industry and consumer awards in 2003/04, including Exporter of the Year at the prestigious International Business Awards, emphasising the quality and excellence of our work.
    “From this position of strength, I have decided now is the right time to stand down as CEO of BBC Worldwide.”
    Gavin mentioned the company’s review plan saying, “As you know, a review of commercial businesses, including BBC Worldwide, is currently underway, led by the BBC’s Chief Operating Officer John Smith. This is due to report by the end of 2004. I will assist the BBC on handover issues until I leave in October,” he said.
    BBC director-general Mark Thompson said: “Rupert has taken Worldwide to record levels of success and the company is now a market leader in key areas both in the UK and globally.

  • BBC Showcase to have record number of buyers at Brighton

    BBC Showcase to have record number of buyers at Brighton

    MUMBAI: BBC Showcase which claims to be the world’s largest television programme market hosted by a single broadcaster, will play host to a record 480 of the world’s top TV programme buying executives. This number represents a 10 per cent increase on last year’s attendance.

    Buyers will come from countries such as India, Chile, japan, Thailand, US, Australia. Now in its 28th year, the four-day event gets underway at the Brighton Centre on 22 February. The market is expected to generate sales in the region of ?50 million for BBC Worldwide. In all over 100 broadcasters in over 80 countries will be represented.

    BBC Worldwide CEO Rupert Gavin had the following remarks to make the market. “This year’s record-breaking attendance figure illustrates the continued support of our broadcasting partners around the world, the magnitude of the BBC brand, and the importance the market has in the international TV calendar. The BBC is unique in that it’s the only broadcaster capable of providing such variety and quality of programming.”

    BBC Worldwide will unveil more than 600 hours of BBC programming at the market, from across the BBC’s drama, entertainment, comedy, factual children’s and music genres. Programmes include Hustle,Nighty Night, Shoebox Zoo, D-Day, Walking with Spacemen, The Divine Michelangelo and Animal Games. In india viewers can catch Walking With Dinosaurs on Pogo.

  • BBC Worldwide bags three awards

    BBC Worldwide bags three awards

    LONDON: BBC Worldwide has been recognised in the Trade Partners UK-backed International Business Awards where it bagged three trophies.
     

    The awards won were Overall Exporter of the Year, Corporate Exporter of the year and Best International Marketing Campaign. BBC Worldwide claims to have had a turnover of over 25 million.

    The International Business Awards are a joint initiative between Trade Partners UK and Nexus Communications (publishers of Export Times). They recognise the achievements of some of the best of British business, from successful new ventures to leading blue-chip organisations across the UK.

    BBC Worldwide CEO Rupert Gavin added, “Despite a tough global economic climate one can still generate growth for the UK through strong marketing, a brand based strategy, good product quality and highly motivated sales teams. These awards are recognition of that success.” An official release informs that being recognised with three major accolades against strong competition from leading UK organisations reflects BBC Worldwide’s financial returns, strong growth, innovative strategies and market leadership over a three-year review period.

    In the three-year review period – 2000-2003 – BBC Worldwide grew its turnover to 640 million and its profit from 26m to 32m. In the last financial year (2002/03) the company returned a record 123m to the BBC. Key factors in the company’s growth have been the launch of BBC channels, branded blocks, the re-versioning of programmes such as The Weakest Link (aired in India on Star Plus as Kamzor Kadii Kaun) and Top of the Pops for local markets, and joint venture partnerships. This drove significant business growth in key territories such as the USA, Germany, Latin America and Canada.

    Other major BBC properties that contributed to this success include the internationally acclaimed factual series, The Blue Planet (airs in India on Discovery) and Walking with Beasts. Children’s properties such as Teletubbies and Tweenies continued to expand across media around the world. Walking with Beasts’ marketing campaign in the EMEIA region was used as a case study to illustrate the company’s innovative approach to marketing its brands and properties around the globe.

  • BBC Worldwide’s TV exports up by 13 per cent

    LONDON: BBC Worldwide has announced that its TV and TV related exports have, once again, made a significant contribution to the UK’s total TV export industry, rising at double the pace of the market.
    The British Television Distributors Association (BTDA) has announced a 6.6 per cent increase on last year’s TV exports bringing this year’s total to $666 million (calendar year 2002), compared to 2001’s figure of $624 million.
    An official release informs that BBC Worldwide’s total media exports rose by 13 per cent to $362 million from last year’s $322 million. This accounted for 54 per cent of the total UK market
    Chief Executive BBC Worldwide Rupert Gavin says; “Our on-going success in the export market is due to our highly visible platforms around the world, which have enabled us to build a substantial global business. Key factors have been the launch of BBC channels, branded blocks, the re-versioning of programmes such as The Weakest Link and Top of the Pops for local markets, and joint venture partnerships, driving significant business growth in key territories such as the USA and Canada.”
    Across North America, BBC Worldwide has grown its business by 16.7 per cent, the release states. In addition to The Weakest Link format sales around the world (Kamzor Kadii Kaun aired in India on Star Plus), other major BBC properties that contributed to the sales success include the internationally acclaimed factual series, The Blue Planet which is airing in India on Discovery and Walking with Beasts. Children’s properties such as Teletubbies and Tweenies continued to expand across media around the world, and the drama series The Lost World proved to be an international hit.
    BTDA industry figures represent the best and most accurate measure of Britain’s TV exports. The process of aggregating industry numbers was implemented by DCMS recommendations, following its enquiry into the export business in 1999.

  • BBC Showcase kicks off 24 Feb in Brighton

    BBC Showcase kicks off 24 Feb in Brighton

    LONDON: BBC Showcase, the world’s largest television programme market hosted by a single broadcaster, will play host to more than 460 of the world’s top TV programme buying executives – exceeding last year’s record attendance. Now in its 27th year, the event gets underway at the Brighton Centre on 24 February.
     

    Over 100 broadcasters from 50 countries including India, Australia, America, Japan, Singapore, Chile, Thailand, Eastern Europe and South Africa are expected to attend. The market is expected to generate sales in the region of 50 million for BBC Worldwide.

    BBC Worldwide will unveil more than 700 hours of BBC programming at the market, from across the BBC’s drama, entertainment, comedy, factual children’s and music slates. This will include -The Lost Prince, Cambridge Spies, Swiss Toni, Walking with Cavemen and Wild Australasia.

    Chief Executive BBC Worldwide Rupert Gavin said, “The continued support of our broadcasting partners around the world, especially during the current political and economic climate, demonstrates the pulling power of the BBC brand and the importance the market has in the international TV calendar. I think it is fair to say that no other broadcaster has the diversity and quality of programming that the BBC can provide.”

  • BBC, Discovery sign ‘deal of the decade’

    BBC, Discovery sign ‘deal of the decade’

    The BBC, BBC Worldwide and Discovery Communications have announced that an agreement on “the deal of the decade” has been reached. This is a ten-year extension to the global partnership which originally commenced in July 1997 and was signed in March 1998. The partnership was to conclude at the end of the year.

    An official release informs that the new agreement extends the deal to 2012. The BBC/DCI relationship claims to be unique in terms of scale and longevity within world broadcasting.

    When the original agreement was signed the parties anticipated only a five year renewal. The alliance between the broadcasters had been formed to develop television channels and factual programming for the global marketplace, the release states.

    The joint venture has three main elements: the co-production of high quality factual programming; the development of jointly-owned television channels around the world, and developing and distributing BBC America. It claims distribution in more than 26 million homes.

    The BBC Sales Company licenses, co-produces and distributes factual programming in the United States and Canada on behalf of the BBC and DCI the release states. The BBC/DCI joint venture further monetises these award-winning programmes, through publishing and merchandising, creating multi-million dollar properties that allow for greater investment in high quality programming.

    Speaking on this DG BBC Greg Dyke said: “When this partnership was formed, the BBC aimed to be part of the greatest creative force in factual broadcasting globally. Our alliance with DCI means that outstanding programmes such as The Blue Planet and Walking With Dinosaurs have been shared and enjoyed by individuals, families and communities in countries right around the world. This is a powerful service we will continue to build over the next ten years.”

    Chief executive, BBC Worldwide, Rupert Gavin said: “The partnership with Discovery is a clear indication of how a global partnership such as this builds value and allows for significant re-investment in programming, to the benefit of the UK licence payer.”

    President and COO DCI Judith A. McHale said: “Strategic partnerships like the BBC/DCI joint venture are a central element of Discovery’s growth strategy in the years to come. The complementary expertise of the two organisations allows for cost sharing, creative balance and increased distribution, which gives Discovery a significant competitive advantage in the domestic and international marketplace.”