DIGITAL MIPTV Preview 2021 by MIPMarkets

Preview March 2021 www.miptv.com

ACTOR, SINGER, SONGWRITER & TV PRODUCER Marc Anthony

MIP SDG AWARD

A+E NETWORKS PRESIDENT Paul Buccieri

KEYNOTE

FASHION ICON, SPORTS STAR & TV PRODUCER David Beckham Advertisement

CREATED BY VALÉRIE DONZELLI & CLÉMENCE MADELEINE-PERDRILLAT DIRECTED BY VALÉRIE DONZELLI

9x30’ A JOYFUL AND POETIC JOURNEY THROUGH MOTHERHOOD COMING SOON TO ARTE AND ARD/SWR

PHOTOS : STEPHANIE BRANCHU AND MANUEL MOUTIER

KEYNOTE

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Editorial Welcome We are looking forward more than ever to bringing everyone together for the best of MIPTV, MIPDoc & MIPFormats online this April. Digital MIPTV, with its rich content showcases will be your guide to the very best in new programming. The 7th annual MIPDrama, an exclusive look at the most anticipated series in production around the world gets underway just ahead of the MIPTV week. This is followed by a series of non-scripted showcases offering a first look at factual programming, high-end documentary and factual formats from the biggest names in the industry. And with our exclusive Fresh TV sessions even more in demand as the industry looks to the future and adjusts to the effects the past year, we introduce two brandnew sessions focusing on young-adult content, esports, podcasts and brands. We’re also excited to be welcoming for the first time two of the biggest names in global entertainment – David Beckham and Marc Anthony – as they turn their focus towards television production and share their ambitions for their studio enterprises. The launch of the MIP SDG Award last year, supporting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, underlined our commitment to galvanising the industry to support social change. This year we honour A+E Networks president Paul Buccieri, for his company’s outstanding efforts in reducing inequality both in programming and behind the camera. We have designed this year’s MIPTV programme around the elements that we know are most valuable to you: one-to-one matchmaking, networking, conferences and market intelligence, with a sharp focus on doing real business. We have also learned how much Cannes means to you and that nothing replaces meeting face-to-face to share our love of television. So we’re thrilled that MIPCOM and MIPJunior will be back in Cannes in October, as well as the 4th season of CANNESERIES. And in the meantime I would like to thank you for your support and hope you enjoy your Digital MIPTV experience. See you online this week and back in Cannes in October! Lucy Smith, MIPTV Director

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Contents Keynotes David Beckham In conversation with director and producer Ben Winston Marc Anthony In conversation with ViacomCBS’ JC Acosta Suzanne Mackie Recipient of the Variety International Achievement in TV Award

MIP SDG Award The United Nations’ Melissa Fleming A+E Networks president Paul Buccieri

What Do Buyers Want?

Over 20 buyers, commissioners and aquisitions executives give Programming Briefs on what they’re looking for on the international market

MIPDrama New drama series from around the world compete for the MIPDrama Coup de Coeur

Factual & Documentary Showcase 28

Twelve hotly anticipated high-end non-fiction productions on show to international buyers

Formats Accelerator Five leading figures in the formats industry share new titles in development

MIPTV Showcases

Conferences & Events Programme

New kids, factual, formats and drama series on show, from around the world

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Game Changer Keynote

‘It’s very cool to work with friends…’ GLOBAL sporting and fashion icon David Beckham needs no introduction. But many people may not have heard that the former England and Manchester United football star recently branched out into television. At Digital MIPTV, the serial entrepreneur will deliver his first in-depth television industry keynote, during which he will give the inside track on his production company Studio 99. Beckham launched Studio 99 in 2019, with long-time partners David Gardner and Nicola Howson. A broad-based group, it is active across documentary films, series and format development. It is also a commercial studio, producing a wide range of both editorial and marketing content for global brand clients. When the company opened its doors, Beckham outlined the allure of the TV business: “I have always enjoyed creating content of all kinds and working on set with creative people,” he said. “It’s amazing to see what guys that I admire, like LeBron and Maverick, have achieved. It’s inspired me to see what’s possible in my world. It’s very cool to work with MIPTV PREVIEW • 8

friends and meet so many new people who are doing great things and want to create exciting new projects with us.” During his keynote, in conversation with director and producer Ben Winston, Beckham will talk about his global ambitions for Studio 99 and give MIPTV delegates some insight into current projects in production and development. These include A Whole New Ball Game, a factual series charting the contemporary history of the UK’s soccer elite, the Premier League; World War Shoe, a documentary mini-series charting the untold story behind sports brands Adidas and • March 2021

Puma; and the upcoming definitive David Beckham biopic. One of the strengths of Studio 99 as a concept is its ability to plug into so many aspects of the Beckham brand. Aside from the planned biopic, one of the company’s first moves was to seal a development pact with NBA legend LeBron James’s Uninterrupted banner, through which the two firms are co-producing a doc series following the launch of Inter Miami CF, a soccer team co-owned by Beckham. The production outfit is also well placed to leverage Beckham’s social media profile. For example, it produces and manages content targeted at Beckham’s 65 million Instagram followers and 54 million Facebook subscribers. While sportsthemed programming is what everyone would expect from Studio 99, the company also has plans to explore travel and fashion ideas. Fashion is an obvious opportunity MIPTV PREVIEW • 9

given that Beckham’s wife Victoria is such a prominent figure in the industry — both Studio 99 and Victoria are represented by agency WME. Perhaps there is even an opportunity to develop purpose-led programming, given Beckham’s long-standing status as a Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF. In 2015, he launched the groundbreaking initiative 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund, aimed at protecting millions of children around the world from danger. Football fans will recall that Beckham wore Number 7 for both Manchester United and England, while 23 and 32 were his preferred monikers at soccer teams AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy. As for club career goals, he scored a total of 97. So why Studio 99? The name celebrates 1999, the year Beckham married Victoria Adams — also known back then as Posh Spice — the couple had their first child, and he won the treble with Manchester United. The significance of 99 is underlined by the fact it is tattooed on Beckham’s right hand. • In Conversation With David Beckham takes place on Tuesday, April 13 at 18.00 CEST, and will be available on catch-up until May 14. • March 2021

Game Changer Keynote

‘We’re going to change the game’ SINGER, songwriter, actor and TV producer Marc Anthony is delivering a keynote during Digital MIPTV. In a session entitled Behind The Curtain – A Conversation With Marc Anthony, the six-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winner will reflect on his incredible 30 years in entertainment. In addition to discussing his stellar career, Marc Anthony will explore the impact of Latino culture on the music and entertainment industries. Of particular interest to MIPTV delegates, he will also set out the global ambitions of his production company, Magnus Studios. Part of Anthony’s entertainment firm Magnus Media, the Studios division focuses on the development, creation and production of digital video content, film and television production as well as the creation of original music for advertising, film and TV from recording artists and composers. Anthony will be interviewed by JC Acosta, president, ViacomCBS International Studios & Networks Americas (VIS). As part of the keynote, they will discuss a first-look MIPTV PREVIEW • 10 • March 2021

Game Changer Keynote deal that the two outfits signed in February 2021. At the time of the deal, Anthony explained why the new venture made sense for Magnus: “ViacomCBS is one of the world’s leading producers of premium entertainment content, reaching billions of people around the world. Their diversified portfolio of global brands checks every box for us, and it provides us with the opportunity to continue to create content that has an appeal for audiences everywhere.” From ViacomCBS’s perspective, the deal is part of VIS’s global strategy of “establishing alliances with best talents in the entertainment industry to create and produce entertainment content for global audiences”. At the time, JC Acosta said: “At the core of our studio are content creators that can bring voices, cultures, and stories that resonate with global audiences. We are excited to work with Marc Anthony and the entire Magnus team to bring these stories to life.” During the course of their conversation, Anthony and Acosta will shed light on some of the projects the partners are developing. While music seems like an obvious path for Magnus to pursue, the first-look deal came hot on the heels of a development deal between Magnus and VIS for the animated children’s series Gloria Wants To Know It All. A pre-school with diversity at its heart, Gloria tells the story of an eight-year-old alpaca from the big

city who spends her vacation at her grandfather’s house in Pueblo Lanugo, a small town that is a vibrant example of the richness of Latin American culture. Marc Anthony was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents. While he is bestknown for his music, his first taste of film and TV came when he appeared in the 1995 movie Hackers. More recently he worked on Simon Fuller’s LatAm talent series O’Viva! The Chosen with his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, and was a guest mentor on The X Factor US in 2012. He is also well known as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, opening schools and orphanages in the Americas. Anthony formed his entertainment vehicle Magnus Media in 2015. At the time he said: “Magnus is a company that is long overdue. Latino artists are among the world’s biggest brands. Unfortunately, though, many of my colleagues — and new artists coming up, too — haven’t had the support to turn that influence into longterm businesses that build value. We’re going to change the game.” • Behind The Curtain: A Conversation With Marc Anthony, hosted by JC Acosta, president ViacomCBS International Studios & Networks Americas, will take place on Wednesday, April 14 at 18.00 CEST, and will be available on catch-up until May14.

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6 x 60 min | Cream Productions for CNN

4 x 60 min | Nutopia for PBS and BBC

ENTERTAINING THE WORLD

The MIP SDG Award

‘The broadcast media still has a major influence on people’ THE ANNUAL MIP SDG Award this year goes to the president of A+E Networks, Paul Buccieri. The Award was launched last year to honour media companies for their action and contribution to delivering the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by all United Nations member states back in 2015. The 2021 Award is dedicated to SDG-10, the goal towards Reduced Inequalities, and recognises A+E Networks’ commitment to reducing in-

equality, promoting diversity and inclusion and highlighting such issues as sexism, racism and violence against women, through its programming, internal policies and corporate outreach initiatives. Buccieri will be presented with the award during a Digital MIPTV event, featuring Good Morning America’s anchor Robin Roberts as well as the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming. “If you want the full list, I have it here.” Melissa Fleming said, explaining the scope of SDG-10. “It’s income, age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, sexuality, opportunity and economic status. These are all the inequalities that exist. But there’s also inequality within countries, and inequality among countries too and we are seeing that very starkly with Covid-19.” While the pandemic has shown no discrimination where people and countries are concerned, it has certainly highlighted the gap between rich and poor. “First of all, who’s been hit the hardest? It’s

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MIPTV PREVIEW • 22 • March 2021

The MIP SDG Award those people in countries that are poor, the people who live hand-to-mouth; people whose living wage determines whether or not they’re having dinner that night,” Fleming said. “We were already rallying in a big way for countries to focus on issues of economy, health and social protection — the rights of women and girls in particular. But now, with the pandemic, things have got so much worse and the divides have become bigger and more extreme.” The broadcast and entertainment industries can play a role here. “We’ve seen with this pandemic that people want to be entertained. They want stories and they want news,” Fleming said. “And the broadcast media — even now that people access it in different ways — it still has a major influence on people.” Which is why in 2018 the UN established the Media Compact, inviting companies around the world to sign an agreement to use their influence to put across the message of the SDGs. Reed MIDEM and A+E Networks are among the 150 companies to have made this commitment. Membership of the Compact involves, for example, supporting various UN initiatives to get clear messages across to people in a world where truth is clouded by disinformation and opinion disguised as fact. For example Verified, which was established back in May 2020, in response to the pandemic, to encourage the sharing of trusted

content with the aim of keeping families and communities safe and connected. “In many countries, the misinformation surging across digital channels is impeding the public health response and stirring unrest,” Fleming said at the launch of Verified. Similarly, the Pause campaign, launched the following month, is designed to foster change in people’s behaviour online. It promotes the phrase “‘Take care before you share’,” Fleming said. “Just like ‘Don’t drink and drive’. You know, there was a time when that wasn’t a social norm, but it became one. We’re doing a lot of media literacy out there with our partners in digital media and broadcast media, to get people to think about the source of the thing that they’re looking at or reading; to ask ‘Why is it making my heart palpitate?’ To really pause and think about whether this is accurate, trusted information before passing it on.” She added: “It has been so important for us to have media partners in this context. It doesn’t have to be that they take our content, but that they think about in their own context — how we are going to address misinformation and how are we going to programme around it.” • Melissa Fleming takes part in an online event on Thursday, April 15, at 18.30 CEST alongside Robin Roberts, during which Paul Buccieri will receive the second MIP SDG Award.

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MIPTV PREVIEW • 24 • March 2021

The MIP SDG Award

‘Achieving lasting change is an on-going journey’ A+E NETWORKS president Paul Buccieri will be presented with the second annual MIP SDG Award during an online Digital MIPTV event, including a film featuring Good Morning America’s anchor Robin Roberts as well as a contribution from the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming. “The film will explain the initiatives and the importance of the SDGs to humanity, with a particular focus on Goal number 10, Reducing Inequality,” Buccieri told the MIPTV Preview. “The film captures A+E Networks’ commitment for change in this space through powerful programming and initiatives.” The film also highlights initiatives jointly established with MIP markets and A+E around diversity and inclusion, including The Diversity Summit, The MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards and the Women in Global Entertainment Event. “These events provide powerful forums to discuss critical topics pertaining to DEI and women’s issues,” he said. “They also provide important networking opportunities among all levels of executives in the global media business – connections that ultimately spark change.” As a global media entertainment company, A+E MIPTV PREVIEW • 28 • April 2021

The MIP SDG Award continually strives to evolve ways of thinking and bring about meaningful change, Buccieri said. “Corporate Social Responsibility has been part of A+E Networks’ DNA since the company’s inception. We have always been committed to using our networks and initiatives to help bring about change.” He added: “The principles at the heart of the SDG-10 goals are very important to us and are reflected in our initiatives – from mentorship to supporting organisations that do social justice work to elevating the voices of diverse creators.” Buccieri cited documentary series Surviving R. Kelly as an example of A+E programming that specifically addresses SDG10. “We have been advocates for breast cancer research for over 25 years and we have launched a new initiative focusing on people making real change in their communities called Voices Magnified. A commitment to highlighting stories of veterans and military families is another primary focus for us,” he said. “Our Mission to Honor campaign inspires our audiences to give back to communities through service and volunteerism.” Other behind-the-camera work towards SDG-10 includes A+E’s women-focused Lifetime channel’s Broader Focus initiative, designed to provide women with more opportunities. “This has elevated Lifetime to an industry leader where 82% of writers, 78% of directors and 67% of producers

are women,” Buccieri said. “In the corporate realm, A+E Networks boasts a strong legacy of advocacy and corporate social responsibility. We continue to partner with groups that support equality. Internally, we are creating task forces to achieve concrete corporate action and we are razor-focused on continuing to build a culture of diversity and inclusion internally.” Of the UN SDGs generally, Buccieri said they provide a road map for creating communities that will ensure a more equitable world for future generations. “We know that by embracing these goals – particularly those focused on equality – we are a stronger company. Diversity is not just an important goal in theory. We have seen first-hand how having multiple perspectives from a range of creators and audiences and embracing diversity and equality in all that we do, helps us develop richer content. Powerful and entertaining content with purpose is at the centre of our company’s mission.” Of the MIP SDG Award, he said it “represents the work of so many and was born out of a mission that began at A+E Networks since the day our company opened its doors over 30 years ago”. He added: “We are fortunate to be able to use our platforms for positive change and to make real impact for communities. While this recognition further validates the steps we have made towards progress, we know that achieving lasting change is an on-going journey.”

MIPTV PREVIEW • 30 • April 2021

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Variety’s International Achievement In TV Award

Mackie looks ahead to life after The Crown EXECUTIVE producer of Netflix hit series The Crown, Suzanne Mackie, gives a Game Changer Keynote during Digital MIPTV where she will talk about her new production venture, Orchid Pictures. Mackie recently set up the indie after 12 years with The Crown production company Left Bank Pictures. At Orchid she will continue as executive producer on series five and six of the Netflix hit that tells the story of the British royal family under Queen Elizabeth II. During her time at Left Bank she developed and executive produced four series of the Sky One psychological thriller series Mad Dogs, which went on to be adapted for the US market. She was also executive producer of the recent Netflix mystery series Behind Her Eyes. Mackie’s film successes include Calendar Girls (2003) and Kinky Boots (2006), both of which were adapted for the stage and were hits on Broadway and London’s West End before traveling to a number of countries around the world. Of her time at Left Bank, she told the

MIPTV Preview it was “a privilege to work alongside such talented and gifted filmmakers, many of whom have helped shape and inspire my career.” And looking forward, she said: “As I venture forth with my new company and as executive producer of The Crown, I hope I can continue to showcase and support exciting talent to help create dramas that entertain, inspire and resonate with a global and far-reaching audience.” During MIPTV she will receive the Variety International Achievement in TV Award, and said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the honour. She added: “This means so much to me.”

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What Do Buyers Want? KEVIN O’BRIEN, COMMISIONING EDITOR, ENTERTAINMENT, ITV

Over 20 buyers, commissioners and acquisitions executives are lining up to give briefings on the type of content they are looking for on the international market. On Friday, April 9, ahead of the start of Digital MIPTV, and on Monday April 12, these leading international executives will discuss their content strategies — and later will join content providers in the virtual Breakout Rooms to talk further about what they want from the world’s programme creators. We spoke to some of them ahead of their Programming Briefs…

LIBBIE DOHERTY, HEAD OF CHILDREN’S CONTENT, ABC AUSTRALIA “ABC still has two children’s dedicated channels, ABC Kids and ABC ME — for preschool and primary-school-age kids respectively. But we also have iview, which is our free video streaming service. “Audiences have shifted towards iview. So really, when we’re thinking about content, we’re thinking about what works both on linear and on the dedicated app as well — we’re always looking for content that works very well in that streaming environment. “We’re very fortunate that iview is a fantastic platform and has a lot of traction in Australia, so our audiences have gravitated there fairly seamlessly. “In terms of what we are looking for from partners and content providers, well there are two pillars: we’re always very much looking for very high quality — exciting, global brands — the best that our ABC money can buy. “And diversity and inclusion is obviously the

other really big element. Our aim is for gender diversity — 50-50 in front of and behind the camera. Also on-screen representation of the LGBTQI communities, people living with a disability, indigenous Australians — which is obviously specific to our area, and then cultural and linguistically diverse content as well.”

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FOR KEVIN O’Brien and ITV, the start of the pandemic was a crazy time. He had only been in the job for a few months when “the industry just went boom!” O’Brien said. “We were being pitched so many shows. It was a really positive sign. At times of adversity the TV industry says: ‘Right, what can we do?’” Meanwhile ITV had to work out what people wanted to watch in lockdown. “Did they want Coronavirus to be shown back at them? And the answer was ‘Yes, on The News, and on factual programmes’; but we made a decision in entertainment that people want to be entertained and forget everything else. So that’s what we decided.” The result was the company held — and even increased — its audiences. Content providers were “more urgent and bril-

liantly reactive. And we made a decision, as a partner, to make ourselves even more accessible. So if a new company has a new idea and wants to get in touch about it, suddenly, with Zoom, we could take more meetings and listen to more new ideas than we could previously.”

KATIE WILSON, VICE-PRESIDENT, CHANNELS & CURATION, WILDBRAIN TELEVISION CANADA’s WildBrainTelevision offers Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr. and Télémagino and is “dedicated to making screen time family time”. “Family Channel focuses on programmes that will encourage shared viewing and appeal to every age within a family. We’re on the lookout for both animation and live action where strong, authentic storytelling is key,” WildBrain’s Katie Wilson said.” We’re also keen to acquire more unscripted content, as we’ve seen a lot of success with these types of series — again, this is perfect co-viewing content.” Where partnerships are concerned, “all are welcome”, Wilson said. “We look for partners who are aligned with our values and our vision. Also, as part of the global WildBrain organisation we’re always looking at potential rights cu-

ration from multiple perspectives — broadcast, production, distribution, consumer products and YouTube.” Coming up for WildBrain are more episodes of Enid Blyton adaptation Malory Towers, a co-production with King Bert Productions in the UK. “That has been a real hit for us as it has also been on channels around the globe.”

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What Do Buyers Want? SAHANA KAMATH, HEAD, ORIGINAL PRODUCTION INDONESIA & MALAYSIA – VIU

LESTER YANGZI HU, HEAD OF FORMATS AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, HUNAN TV

AT HONG Kong-based OTT streaming provider, Viu, Sahana Kamath oversees the original content produced across Indonesia and Malaysia. “It’s an exciting time for premium drama in Malaysia and Indonesia,” Kamath said. “While the mainstay of series has always been television’s daily drama fare, we are seeing a lot more premium content being created now for OTT platforms like Viu. This has created more opportunities than ever before for creative talent to shine.” She said her target is Gen Z-to-Millennial. “There are

WHEN in need of partners in production for titles for China’s Hunan TV, Lester Hu is happy to look everywhere. “It’s about finding the right match,” he said. “For instance, we tend to talk to Japanese producers when a new game segment is needed for our long-lasting variety show Happy Camp; while for large-scale shiny-floor entertainment we usually think of European and Israeli creators with strong track records in that genre.” Last year Hunan TV had plans for teaming up with creatives from around the world, but the pandemic got in the way.

some genres and themes that tend to work well for both markets, but we are always ready to be surprised by an innovative pitch.” On the format acquisition side, Viu has had successes with Pretty Little Liars, with WBITVP; The Bridge, with EndemolShine Group; and Black, with CJ ENM. “What’s critical is that the storytelling is locally rooted and relatable, yet highly differentiated from anything else that’s out there in the market. And of course, we’re talking about production values that are a cut above as well.”

“By sponsoring the MIPFormats International Pitch competition last year, we introduced International Biu Project, a format incubation initiative open to independent producers and emerging production talents worldwide,” he said. “Our original plan was to invite the finalists to visit China and meet face-to-face, as cultural understanding and trust building is something very important in the co-development process. Unfortunately that didn’t happen because of the pandemic, but we are still willing to try again, to co-create a hit in China and then take that IP to the rest of the world.”

SEBASTIAN DEBERTIN, HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL CONTENT ACQUISITIONS & CO-PRODUCTIONS, KiKA

KRISTINA HOLLSTEIN, DIRECTOR ACQUISITIONS & CO-PRODUCTIONS DOCUMENTARIES, ZDF

ALONGSIDE KiKA’s editorial teams, Sebastian Debertin has been responsible for creating, producing and acquiring a number of kids hit shows and strong brands, including Yakari, Chloé’s Closet, Animanimals, Fireman Sam, Care Bears, Mouk, The Cat In The Hat, Blinky Bill, Guess How Much I Love You, Masha And The Bear, Insectibles, Lily’s Driftwood Bay, Super Wings and many more. Debertin is “currently searching for — and identifying — new projects and programmes for our linear TV channel as well as for our other platforms, for exam-

CONTENT from around the world will be happy to hear that, in the words of Kristina Holstein, German state broadcaster ZDF is “a stable and reliable partner” and aims to remain in touch with long-standing colleagues during Digital MIPTV. “But we are also open for new talent,” Hollstein said. For potential partners in factual programming, each year ZDF publishes the Factual Programing on ZDF brochure, where it presents factual slots and content requirements. “Here producers find all the information needed to approach us,” she said.

ple our free VOD platform and for the KiKA-Player app”. He’s also working as executive producer on behalf of KiKA on the new Smurfs series. “We’re currently co-producing the series in collaboration with TF1, IMPS-Peyo, RTBF and Dupuis,” Debertin said. “The Smurfs will surely be a huge hit on KiKA — and worldwide. Why? Well, it is not only a fantastic brand, it comes with a great new concept, that we co-developed with the international team from France, Belgium and Germany to perfectly adapt it to today’s needs. As a result, it looks fantastic and the writing and storytelling is absolutely brilliant!”

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“This year the focus is on history programming. We’re looking for the big historical topics and especially programmes that are already in post-production.” Factual history productions drew big audiences for ZDF in 2020 — notably documentaries on The Titanic and Pompeii that showed during its Sunday evening Terra X slot. “On average the last year had the highest ratings since 2002,” Holstein said. For the future, she predicts a growth in the popularity of programmes dealing with green issues: “We have already started, with series like The History Of Trash, a carbon-neutral production that is currently in development.”

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What Do Buyers Want? NATALIE ENGEL, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT, PBS KIDS NATALIE Engel’s mission at PBS is “to develop characters, worlds, and stories that reflect the broad diversity of the American experience. And we believe that the best way to do that is by talking with a wide variety of talented, creative people with stories to tell,” she said. “Some people come to us through our established producing partners; we also develop projects with studios that we haven’t worked with before. As long as the idea feels right for PBS, we are happy to explore it.” PBS prefers to develop content with creative talent, rather

than to acquire. “Recent series we’re particularly proud of are Molly Of Denali from GBH; Xavier Riddle And The Secret Museum from 9Story; and Elinor Wonders Why from a new creative team, Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson,” Engel said. “Each of these represent many of the hallmarks of PBS Kids’ shows: curious, resilient, funny kids who are eager to explore and make discoveries about the world.” For this, Engel’s first MIPTV, she is “looking forward to exploring both new content opportunities and new partnership possibilities”.

MIPTV thanks its Sponsors and Partners Global Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

KARNI ZIV, HEAD OF DRAMA AND COMEDY, KESHET BROADCASTING AT KESHET Broadcasting, Karni Ziv is responsible for the development of scripted projects destined for Israeli free-to-air channel Keshet 12. “We are looking for territories and platforms and producers that are interested in working with an Israeli company representing a lot of very talented Israeli creators,” Ziv said. “For example, we are developing an Israeli-French co-production, based on A Long Night In Paris, a spy thriller about an Israeli tech executive who disappears from Charles de Gaulle airport.” She added: “It was a bestseller here in

Israel, it became a bestseller in France, so we are trying to find a way of making a series that will be interesting for both audiences.” But Keshet can — and does — create shows that are not connected to Israel. “We have a series that we’re working on with a Belgian production company for Netflix Europe, telling the story of a Jewish family whose business is in the diamond industry. The creators are two Israelis, but it takes place in Durban and it’s in Flemish and English and Yiddish, and there’s no connection at all to Israel. But,” she adds,“with any production, the first question that we will ask is: ‘Will it work for the Israeli audience?’”

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Sponsors

What Do Buyers Want?

John Caldon

KINU MIYANO, SENIOR PRODUCER, GLOBAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT, NHK JAPANESE state broadcaster NHK operates two terrestrial channels, four satellite channels, two UHD channels, three radio networks and the global broadcasting service NHK World. During her Programming Brief, NHK’s Kinu Miyano will detail what she is looking for on the international marketplace. “At NHK, we currently have three slots dedicated to international acquisitions: World Documentary, Dramatic Planet and Welcome to the Wonderful World of Documentaries. We are always

keen to work with a broad variety of companies for acquisitions in those categories.” For World Documentary, the target audience is “people with global interests, so in that category we are looking for current affairs and investigative documentaries, with new approaches to storytelling”. Dramatic Planet is aimed at families. “For this strand we are looking for family-friendly programmes with strong and exciting storylines.” For Welcome to the Wonderful World of Documentaries, the target is women from 30 to 50 years of age. “Here, we are looking for heartwarming human documentaries,” she said.

MIRANDA WAYLAND, HEAD OF CREATIVE DIVERSITY, BBC

February 24, 1947 - February 16, 2021

BACK in June of last year, the BBC announced its Creative Diversity Commitment in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, and committed around €120m of its TV budget, over three years, to producing diverse and inclusive content. At the time the broadcaster said this was “the biggest financial investment to on-air inclusion in the industry”. A key element of this commitment is The Right Script Campaign, headed by the BBC’s director of creative diversity, presenter and campaigner June Sarpong, together with the BBC’s head of creative

diversity Miranda Wayland. The aim of the Campaign is “to create a strong framework to help diverse storytellers succeed at all levels of the industry”. During her Programming Brief, Wayland will detail how this commitment to diversity impacts on the BBC’s commissioning and acquisition policies. And she will bring to the discussion experience she gained in her previous roles at the UK’s commercial broadcaster ITV, where she served as social partnership executive and diversity and inclusion manager.

MIPTV PREVIEW • 43 • March 2021

MIPDrama

‘Writers and producers continue to aim high’ A CURATED selection of new drama series from around the world will be shown to buyers during the sixth edition of MIPDrama, which has been reimagined as an online presentation this year, as part of Digital MIPTV. The titles were chosen with the support of the MIP Markets Drama Advisory Board, a group of leading international industry executives with broad experience in commissioning, acquisition and co-production. French actor, writer and singer, Joséphine Draï, star of the Netflix comedy series The Hook Up Plan (Plan Cœur), is host for the event and will introduce 10-minute-long exclusive previews of 11 upcoming series, chosen for their writing, production values, creativity, originality and worldwide appeal. “After the terrible, tumultuous year that was 2020, it is really uplifting to see such a strong list for MIPDrama’s Official Selection this year,” Advisory Board member, Sky’s Sarah Wright, said. “There is a dazzling array of programming on offer

this year.” Fellow Board member Aline Marrache, of Universal Music Media & Content, added: “The level of production is significantly growing each year and the series have more and more original intrigues.” For Board member Anette Romer of SVT Productions, the selection demonstrated that “writers and producers continue to aim high”. MIPDrama takes place on Friday, April 9 at 12.30 CEST. After the showcase, the audience of international buyers will be invited to vote for the series that will take away the prestigious MIPDrama Buyers’ Coup de Cœur. The vote closes on Thursday, April 15 and the showcase will be available until the following day when the winning series will be announced online. The final selection of 11 reflects the lasting, global demand for drama series. Two comedy series also feature in the line-up, a reminder that in spite of — or because of — a difficult year, audiences need to laugh.

MIPTV PREVIEW • 45 • March 2021

MIPDrama THE SELECTION

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SVEN HJERSON, Sweden An Agatha Christie detective story set, for the first time, in Scandinavia. Genre: Crime, Whodunnit Production: B-Reel Films, TV4/CMore, Nadcon, ZDF, Government of Åland & Agatha Christie Limited Distribution: ZDF Enterprises

ANNE BOLEYN, United Kingdom An intimate psychological thriller about Tudor Queen Anne Boleyn, told from a new perspective. Genre: Period drama Production: Fable Pictures Distribution: Sony Pictures Television

CONTAINER, Russian Federation A gripping drama highlighting the challenges and choices of contemporary surrogacy. Genre: Drama Production: START, Yellow, Black and White Distribution: Yellow, Black and White

MIPTV PREVIEW • 46 • March 2021

DON’T LEAVE ME, Italy The deep web. The deeper you go, the more evil you find. Everything is for sale — drugs, weapons, organs… and children. Genre: Thriller Production: Paypermoon Italia, Rai Fiction Distribution: Federation Entertainment

FURIA (FURY), Norway and Germany Two people, four identities, who must work Together to bring down a terrifying far-right terror cell. Genre: Crime Production: Monster Scripted and X Filme Distribution: Keshet International

LUCKY DAY, Switzerland What would you do if you won the lottery? A Swiss family faces life-changing dilemmas. Genre: Comedy Production: IDIP Films, Perpetual Soup Distribution: About Premium Content

PANDORE, Belgium Set in Brussels, Pandore is a political drama about the collision between politics and justice. Genre: Political drama Production: Artemis Productions, RTBF Distribution: About Premium Content

MIPTV PREVIEW • 47 • March 2021

MIPDrama

SUPERNORMAL, Spain Patricia is a boss at an investment bank, but is also determined to be a mother, wife, daughter and sister. Genre: Comedy-drama Production: Movistar+ in collaboration with Secuoya Distribution: Beta Film

THE BEAST MUST DIE, United Kingdom A contemporary revenge thriller set on the Isle of Wight, about a mother avenging her son’s death. Genre: Crime, Thriller Production: New Regency Television International, Scott Free Distribution: New Regency

THE WINEMAKER, Germany, Austria Successful winemaker Matteo’s secret Mafia past comes back to haunt him. Genre: Thriller, Drama Production: good friends FilmprodUnited Kingdomtion in co-production with Satel Film for ZDF and ServusTV Distribution: Beta Film

WHITSTABLE PEARL, United Kingdom Crime, debauchery and murder in the beautiful English seaside town of Whitstable. Genre: Crime Production: Buccaneer Media Distribution: Cineflix Rights

MIPTV PREVIEW • 49 • March 2021

Factual & Documentary Showcase

Pandemic, pimp gangs and people at war… Docs Showcase has it all A DIVERSE array of high quality non-fiction productions is being presented exclusively to buyers at MIPTV’s hotly anticipated Factual & Documentary Showcase. There are 12 projects on display covering everything from history and current affairs to science and wildlife. The projects have been selected by Reed MIDEM’s Editorial Board and are all currently in production. Buyers, including potential co-production partners, will have access to approximately 10 minutes of content from each project on which to base their decisions. Popular factual themes including sharks and World War II will feature in the Showcase, but there are also less well-documented subjects ranging from pimp gangs in Hamburg to the mystery of sacrificed children in the ancient Andean civilisation of Chimor. The timeliness of

the curated selection is underlined by a film about Covid-19 vaccines, and the story of a journalist’s assassination when he discovered links between politicians and organised crime. Projects range in length from single films to eight-part series, with the majority in the two-to-four part range. France is well represented along with high-profile projects from Germany, Russia, Canada and the US. Among these is Ali, a PBS/Ken Burns documentary, which will provide a comprehensive biography of the iconic heavyweight boxer. The Factual & Documentary Showcase launches online on Friday, April 9, on the eve of MIPTV 2021. This timely event underlines growing demand for factual content as new streaming platforms vie with linear channels for outstanding productions.

MIPTV PREVIEW • 50 • March 2021

THE SELECTION

THE KINGDOM OF SACRIFICED CHILDREN, France An international archaeological investigation in Peru uses a cold-case storytelling approach to explore the sacrificed children of the ancient Peruvian Kingdom of Chimor. Format: 1 x 90 mins/1 x 52 mins Genre: History & Civilisation Production: Nilaya Productions Distribution Company: Nilaya Productions Main Broadcaster: France 5

HITLER & STALIN: A SECRET RELATIONSHIP, France Historians have meticulously studied the relationship between the Nazi Germany dictator and the Russian autocrat. However this film promises to tell “a story you think you know, but don’t”. Format: 2 x 52 mins Genre: History & Civilisation Production: Siècle Productions Distribution Company: Balanga Main Broadcaster: France 2

SAINT HELENA: BASTION OF BIODIVERSITY, France This wildlife documentary is understood to be the first ever undertaken on the island of Saint Helena, where French emperor Napoleon spent his last years. Format: 1 x 52 mins Genre: Nature & Wildlife Production: Les Films en Vrac, Fathom Pictures Distribution Company: Beliane Main Broadcaster: Ushuaïa TV

THEY ALL CAME DOWN TO MONTREUX, Switzerland Featuring previously unseen footage from an extraordinary archive accumulated over 50 years, this is the story of Claude Nobs, the inspirational and visionary founder of The Montreux Jazz Festival. Format: 3 x 60 mins Genre: Music, Culture Production: BMG films, Beyond TNC, Orofena Films Distribution Company: Submarine Entertainment Main Broadcaster: RTS

MIPTV PREVIEW • 51 • March 2021

Factual & Documentary Showcase

1942, THE WORLD AT WAR, France This international co-production provides a tantalising insight into the daily lives of ordinary people around the globe at the pivotal mid-point of World War II. Format: 3 x 52 mins/6 x 52 mins Genre: History & Civilisation Production: Ex Nihilo Distribution Company: Lucky You Main Broadcaster: ARTE, Historia, CZTV

DOUBLE MURDER IN CENTRAL EUROPE, France Slovakian journalist Jan Kuciak was about to publish an investigation regarding links between his country’s political leaders and Italian mobsters. Then he and his fiancée were murdered. Format: 1 x 52 mins Genre: Current Affairs & Investigation Production: Forbidden Films Distribution Company: Mediawan Rights Main Broadcaster: France Télévisions

THE GLOBAL VACCINE RACE, Canada The dramatic inside story of six international teams and their high-stakes race to create a Covid-19 vaccine to defeat a killer virus and save millions of lives. Format: 1 x 60 mins/1 x 90 mins Genre: Science & Technology Production: Infield Fly Productions Distribution Company: Off the Fence Main Broadcaster: CBC

LIVES OF OTHERS, Russian Federation They don’t have a voice, they don’t have rights, they don’t have a future. What lives do migrant women lead in a huge metropolis that doesn’t even notice they exist? Format: 4 x 48 mins Genre: Ethnology, Sociology, Green Production: 1-2-3 Production, Mother in Law Distribution Company: 1-2-3 Production Main Broadcaster: TV-3 Channel

THE GOSPEL OF WEALTH: A STORY OF CAPITALISM (1870-2020), France Cédric Tourbe and Romain Huret dissect the capitalist storytelling that has succeeded in perpetuating the American dream, asking why such an unjust system has not collapsed, yet. Format: 3 x 52 mins Genre: History & Civilisation Production: La Générale de Production Distribution Company: ARTE Distribution Main Broadcaster: ARTE France

KINGS OF ST. PAULI – THE RISE AND FALL OF HAMBURG’S PIMP GANGS, Germany One of the world’s most sinful districts, Hamburg’s St Pauli, was dominated by pimp gangs — until disaster struck and the reign of their brutal business ended with a bang. Format: 3 x 45 mins Genre: History & Civilisation Production: Autentic Distribution Company: Autentic Main Broadcaster: ARTE, ZDFinfo

FOR THE LOVE OF SHARKS, France Three species of shark are preparing for a major oceanic voyage around the globe and this event series from Bonne Pioche features experts diving with them. Format: 2 x 52 mins Genre: Nature & Wildlife Production: Bonne Pioche Distribution Company: France TV Distribution Main Broadcaster: France 2

ALI, USA Ali claims to be the first-ever comprehensive documentary biography of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, arguably America’s greatest athlete and a monumental cultural icon. Format: 8 x 60 mins/4 x 120 mins Genre: Art, Music, Culture Production: Ken Burns/Florentine Films Distribution Company: PBS International Main Broadcaster: PBS

MIPTV PREVIEW • 52 • March 2021

MIPTV PREVIEW • 53 • March 2021

Formats Accelerator

‘Viewers are in need of escapism’ DURING the Digital MIPTV Formats Accelerator — on April 9, from 9.30 CEST — five leading figures in the formats industry will share formats in development, each set to take the international market by storm.

All from companies with a proven track record in international hits, these five presentations will paint a picture of the global formats industry of the moment, demonstrating the creativity and variety on offer from this sector.

SORT YOUR LIFE OUT INTRODUCED by Nick Smith, executive vice-president, All3Media International, UK, Sort Your Life Out is a factual entertainment series from All3Media’s Optomen Television, for the BBC. Sort Your Life Out assembles a team of experts to help transform the nation’s most-cluttered homes: the entire content of a family’s house is laid out before them, so they can decide what to keep and what to throw away. “This is something that is genuinely useful to everyone wherever they may be,” Smith said. “It’s a life-enhancing entertainment format that is easily reproducible anywhere in the world, cost effectively and with social distancing if required. Optomen Television and the BBC are onto a good thing here!” Of the market for formats generally, Smith said “buyers are searching for upbeat and posi-

tive content right now”. For example his company enjoyed success with The Dog House, which matches rescue dogs with a loving home. “It’s a format that seems more relevant than ever,” he said. “There has been a boom in pet ownership in many countries during the pandemic and we have various international versions in production.”

Nick Smith, executive vice-president, All3Media International

MIPTV PREVIEW • 54 • March 2021

STACKING IT! STACKING IT! is a studio game show where two teams go head-to-head in challenges that involve stacking different items on top of each other. It’s like a giant Jenga, but where what is stacked are prizes that could together be worth over $100,000. The format was created through a co-development deal between Nippon TV and ITV Studios. “During the Formats Accelerator we will be talking to the creators of Stacking It! and showing some exclusive clips,” managing director, Global Creative Network at ITV Studios, Mike Beale said. During the pandemic, Beale said, “there has been a reliance on catalogue” and ITV Studios has benefited from that. “But we are starting to see a shift to new ideas as we start to un-

Mike Beale, managing director, Global Creative Network, ITV Studios

derstand how to work in these new environments.” The collaboration with Nippon TV reflects wider changes at ITV Studios: “We no longer rely on the UK as our sole outlet for new ideas and have pipelines in from Israel, Netherlands, Germany, US, France and the Nordics which brings a fresh approach to our development.”

50 MEN 50 MATS SMALL WORLD IFT’s new format 50 Men 50 Mats is an “out-of-the-ordinary yoga format for men” that deals with men’s mental health and self-improvement and encourages participants to deal openly with their emotions, according to the US company’s president Tim Crescenti. He added: “The show aims to dispel the negative perception often associated with men being emotionally incapable or closed off, and opens up the possibility for vulnerability in a group setting.” On the market for formats generally, Crescenti said that “with the pandemic’s rise, most global broadcasters and channels started focusing more on finding positive, family-friendly viewing. Alongside that,” he added, “there was a

Small World IFT president Tim Crescenti

yearning for nostalgia, which resulted in shows from the past being re-commissioned.” Small World enjoyed a strong 2020 after the Joe Lewis Company (JLC) took a stake in the company: “Thanks to Small World’s new relationship with JLC, we were able to sign a firstlook deal with MGM to find formats from around the globe,” Crescenti said.

MIPTV PREVIEW • 55 • March 2021

Formats Accelerator

MIPTV Showcases

SECRET CELEBRITY PARIS-based studio WeMake claims its new format, Secret Celebrity, is the “first ever mystery reality show”. According to WeMake partner and creative director Moe Bennani: “This show takes the reality show genre to the next level, by adding a thrilling investigation layer.” In Secret Celebrity, 10 strangers enter a penthouse where they will live for several days. They don’t know each other, but they are all The Relatives — the family members and best friends of 10 famous celebrities. They have only one goal: to discover who the other Secret Celebrities are, before being unmasked themselves. Bennani said that audiences have shown their

WeMake partner and creative director Moe Bennani

desire to be distracted from reality during the pandemic. “Content-wise, the viewers are in need of light entertainment, comedy and escapism,” he said. “In France we see a clear need for comedy entertainment and comedy game shows… and that’s our expertise.”

PET MATCH IN PET Match, from Newen Connect — a division of France’s TF1 Group — celebrities have to match pets to their owners. “It’s a family entertainment format where you have three teams of celebrities, 12 pets and 12 pet owners. They can be any type of pet — dogs, rabbits, whatever. And it’s one of those situations where the more you know, the less you know. They start thinking out loud and disagreeing with each other and it becomes very funny,” Newen Connect head of format distribution, Arabelle Pouliot-Di Crescenzo, said. “Pets have always been very much a part of our lives. But in America, because of the pandemic, there’s a very real shortage right now.” And she said the show has come

Newen Connect head of format distribution, Arabelle Pouliot-Di Crescenzo

around at the right moment in the formats cycle. “Every few years or months certain types of format come back into fashion and at the moment people are interested in shows that are appealing to all the family — and Pet Match is one of those shows.”

MIPTV PREVIEW • 56 • March 2021

International buyers get a first look at innovative new shows as leading content providers from around the world give a series of Showcases during the Digital MIPTV week. Here we highlight some of what’s on show…

iFORMATS THE iFORMATS Chinese Formats Database is showing six formats during its Digital MIPTV Showcase. “We’ll show trailers and comment from the producers,” iFormats founder Vincent Sun told the MIPTV Preview. “In 2020, these formats caused quite a buzz among the young generation,” he added. “They are Singing With Legends, Shine! Super Brothers and Wonder Agency from Dragon TV; Rock & Roast and Action! from Tencent Video; and Key To Heart from Hunan TV.” Singing With Legends has sold to France and Germany, and Sun said it is a concept that can be adapted to any territory. In Wonder Agency, created against the backdrop of the pandemic, “content-making stereotypes are broken as entertainment, e-commerce and business development are combined in one single reality show”. Shine! Super Brothers is a new take on the

talent show genre; in Action! a group of actors have to start their acting careers from scratch; Rock & Roast is a stand-up comedy competition series; and Key To Heart adopts advanced internet technology to achieve better matchmaking.”

iFormats’ Vincent Sun

MIPTV PREVIEW • 57 • March 2021

MIPTV Showcases NIPPON TV

ALL3MEDIA

STACKING It!, co-developed with ITV Studios; 9 Windows; and Mute It! are among the shows to be featured in a Showcase from Japan’s Nippon TV. “9 Windows and Mute It! are among the game shows that we were actively selling immediately before the pandemic had hit,” Nippon TV’s head of formats, Fusako Nagashima, said. “But they both happened to be formats that could be produced by placing distance between the contestants while still not losing the excitement.” Mute It! is a studio game show with a simple rule: don’t make any sound; 9 Windows, a co-production with Nippon TV and The Story Lab, is “a gameshow-meets-talent contest that celebrates ordinary people with outlandish skills”; and Stacking It! is a new take on the

GLOBAL production and distribution group All3Media is showcasing a number of new non-scripted shows during Digital MIPTV. “We are presenting work from established industry figures, producers we are working with for the first time and experienced format creators,” the company’s executive vice-president, formats, Nick Smith, said. ”They will be speaking about their successful launches and the secret to success in their shows.” All3Media will show proven format hits as well as content from its scripted-formats catalogue including the thriller Liar and the comedy drama Step Dave. “We’ve got the latest on psychological reality show The Traitors, produced by IDTV for broadcaster RTL 4; we have the scoop from Gordon Ramsay himself on Bank Balance — his first game show — and we have a brand-new

Nippon TV’s Fusako Nagashima

game Jenga, but with valuable prizes instead of blocks of wood. “All of these game shows are produced under strictly controlled COVID-19 protocols, either played solo or in small numbers, minimising the risk of contact during taping, making it appropriate for the current times,” Nagashima said.

TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION TOKYO Broadcasting System Television’s (TBS) Digital MIPTV Showcase comes just a few weeks after the announcement of an agreement with Smart Dog Media, headed by Craig Plestis, producer of the US version of The Masked Singer, to create new formats for markets around the world. The aim of the agreement is to develop follow-up hits to such TBS global successes as Ninja Warrior, Takeshi’s Castle and Happy Family Plan. Goshu Segawa, of TBS’s International Distribution Department, said the agreement was part of “a two-pronged strategy” that includes the “continuation of our success model for over 50 years — to adapt and customise formats with a unique concept and proven track record in Japan, for the international market”, and

TBS’ Goshu Segawa

“to develop new formats from scratch, with the global audience in mind”. The latter included the agreement with Plestis and a collaboration with British format specialist Dave Winnan which led to the launch of Time Is Money. ”The goal of these collaborations will not be just to create a new format, but the next long-selling, global hit.”

MIPTV PREVIEW • 58 • March 2021

All3Media’s Nick Smith

acquisition from our new friends at Ireland’s Animo TV, Eating With The Enemy,” Smith said. “This provocative new show takes people out of their immediate comfort bubble of opinions and views, to dine with someone with opposing beliefs. But, under the watchful eye of our expert psychologists, will we find they have more in common than they believed possible.”

ZDF ENTERPRISES “THIS is a special MIPTV for us as Rivers. We are also teaswe are showcasing our first Spanish ing the English remake series in the ZDF Enterprises cataof Swedish crime thriller logue, which we have been working series Before We Die and on for the past two years,” Robert Agatha Christie’s Sven Franke, vice-president, drama at Hjerson.” ZDF Enterprises said. ANA.all in is a Franke said that “drama thriller series about a criminal lawyer continues to draw viewtrying to clear her brother, who has ers on both linear and been accused of murder. streaming platforms, so we “We are also bringing a French hiscontinue to finance and torical biopic Voltaire In Love from deliver it to our partners.” France 2, as well as Huss, a SwedHe added: “Fragmentation, ZDF Enterprises’ Robert Franke ish spin-off from producers Yellow expansions, new platforms Bird. Two of our most popular series and retention of rights will also make a strong comeback: family saga seem disruptive, but they only feed the appeKu’damm 63 and thriller series The Crimson tite and demand of drama series.” MIPTV PREVIEW • 59 • March 2021

MIPTV Showcases YELLOW, BLACK & WHITE ONE OF Russia’s biggest independent studios, Yellow, Black & White (YB&W), and its subscription-based streaming service Start, bring a slate of scripted content to MIPTV this year. “Our main priorities are to introduce gothic comedy-drama The Vampires Of Midland; nail-biting psychological thriller Mediator; gripping young-adult drama The New Guy; afterlife mystery series Passengers; Start’s popular rehab drama Addicted; and revealing docuseries Fortress. Russian Finance: The Faces Behind,” YB&W’s executive vice-president of international sales and acquisitions, Daria Bondarenko said. “Drama is becoming ever more international, more buyers from more countries are realising how much incredible content is out there from different territories and cultural backgrounds — with language not seen as a barrier.”

BBC STUDIOS

YB&W’s Daria Bondarenko

Bondarenko added: “Fortunately, many of our productions lined up for the next year had finished shooting before the pandemic, so we were able to wrap the post-production with teams that could work remotely. This has enabled us to keep sales and distribution going through a time when demand for new content was incredibly high.”

IMPS – THE SMURFS THE SMURFS celebrate an important anniversary during Digital MIPTV this year. “Our new series is premiering on April 18 in Belgium and thereafter in France and the rest of the world, ”Nele de Wilde, head of sales, production and business development at The Smurfs’ rights-owner IMPS. “We cannot let this moment go unnoticed, because this will be the first new series of these beloved characters after their premiere in 1981 with the classic Hanna-Barbera series.” De Wilde said that despite a difficult year for everyone, “now is a great time for content from all genres. With all the new emerging platforms looking constantly for new content, it’s a great place to be in, as a rights holder.” IMPS will showcase two new 52 x 11 mins

BRITISH creativity is on show during a Showcase from BBC Studios, featuring three new formats. This Is MY House is a guessing game format created by Richard Bacon and Nick Weidenfeld, and produced by Expectation, in which four people walk into a home and say, “This Is MY House”. But only one of them is telling the truth. In Filth, “fanatical clean freaks” go head-to-head as they attempt to sort out the nation’s dirtiest houses. Each episode sends two pairs of cleaning obsessed strangers to clean two real-life filthy homes. The pair that cleans the best then splits up to compete against each other in one final round. “The last clean freak standing goes home with a cash prize.” Filth is a Youngest Media Production.

KOCCA THE KOREA Creative Content Agency, KOCCA, is giving two Showcases during Digital MIPTV. K Formats -The Next Big Hits From Korean Broadcasters – will show the next big hits to come from the land of The Masked Singer and I Can See your Voice. Scripted formats on show

IMPS’ Nele de Wilde

Smurfs series during Digital MIPTV. “Pay-TV rights have been sold internationally to Nickelodeon and we have already a lot of free-to-air partners on board. But we’re still looking for TV channels to hop on, especially in Asia and Latin America.”

MIPTV PREVIEW • 60 • March 2021

KOCCA’s DoHyoung Lee

BBC Studios’Sumi Connock

In the comedy format Fact or Fake, from Sandrats Media, three comedians take viral videos and crazy news stories and try to separate the truth from the lies. “The truth is revealed through humorous and mind-blowing live experiments, led by experts and scientists in the studio.” The Showcase is presented by Sumi Connock, creative director of formats, BBC Studios, UK. will include KBS Media’s Doctor Prisoner and Channel A’s Lie After Lie. Unscripted formats include MBC’s Oh! My Partner; SBS’ Shooting Stars; and The Line Up, jointly created with CJ ENM and the UK’s ITV Studios. The second session showcases formats from Korea’s Super Indies. These include Cactus Media’s Chef In A Box; Diturn’s music game show My Ranking; and Vitamin TV’s About Time, which has already aired on Korean OTT platform Wavve. So what is behind the success of Korean formats in recent years? “Korean format producers have been very shrewd in the lessons they have taken from global television trends,” DoHyoung Lee, general director at the Broadcasting Division of KOCCA said. “But notably, they’ve been remarkable in finding originality by twisting those trends in a unique Korean way.”

MIPTV PREVIEW • 61 • March 2021

MIPTV Showcases CATALAN FILMS FOR ITS Digital MIPTV showcase, Catalan Films will present five new animation series – “very different projects in different stages of production”, according to Mar Medir Benito, co-ordinator, Catalan Films. “Catalonia has been a hub of animation series for many years and these productions are a very good example of the quality of the projects that are being produced nowadays,” Benito said. On show will be: The triplets, “a re-vamp of a nostalgic favourite that has entertained generations of kids”; Croco-Docs, “a new project aimed to help pre-schoolers overcome their fear of doctors”; Mironins, “a transmedia project based on the paintings of Miro”; Little Heroes”, a 52x7 mins series based in a collection of more than 120 books; and Agus & The Monsters, also

Preview March 2021 www.miptv.com

// DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS // Michel Filzi

Catalan Films’ Mar Medir Benito

based on a book series. “Since the projects are all at different stages. we are looking for international co-producers, international distributors, broadcasters and licensees,” Benito said. “Every project has its own specific characteristics and needs and I’m sure all international partners can find one or more projects that will be suitable for them.”

GLOBO BRAZIL’s Globo presents two Showcases during Digital MIPTV: The Future Is Female and Globo Series Showcase: Global Hits Makeover. In the former, the company will present “authors and characters from our portfolio who contribute to the reflection on women’s role in today’s world to inspire the future — stories of female protagonism,” Globo’s head of international Sales Angela Colla said. Filhas de Eva, among the most-watched productions on the company’s OTT platform Globoplay, “tells the inspiring story of three strong women who come together to change the course of their lives,” Colla said. “It’s a series about female strength.” Two of the company’s hit telenovelas are among the shows featured in the Global Hits Makeover showcase: Avenida Brasil and Verdades Secretas, both re-edited into shorter epi-

/ EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT / Editor in Chief Julian Newby Deputy Editor Debbie Lincoln Contributors Andy Fry Editorial Management Boutique Editions Head of Graphic Studio Herve Traisnel Graphic Studio Manager Frederic Beauseigneur Graphic Designer Carole Peres / PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT / Publishing Director Martin Screpel Publishing Managers Emilie Lambert , Amrane Lamiri Creation and Production Officer Yovana Filipovic / MANAGEMENT & SALES TEAM /

Globo’s Angela Colla. Photo: Globo/FabioRocha

sodes “to connect with new digital consumers”. “In the light of our most recent movements and transformations in our business strategies, we have reinforced the diversity of content in our portfolio to meet the most diverse consumer demands and partner needs,” Colla said. Our productions include series, soap operas, documentaries, and products focused on factual and lifestyle and for children.”

MIPTV PREVIEW • 62 • March 2021

Director of the Entertainment Division Jérôme Delhaye – MIPTV Director Lucy Smith Conference and Content Director Amandine Cassi Director of Market Development Ted Baracos Programme Director Tania Dugaro Director of MIP Cancun, Director of Buyers Strategy - MIP Markets Bénédicte Touchard de Morant Executive Producer, Conferences Julie Lechenault TV Division Sales Director Geraud de Lacombe UK Sales Director Vanessa Van Santen Smith Director UK Sales Music & TV Division Javier Lopez SVP Sales & Business Development Robert Marking VP Sales Louis Hillelson Sales Director Manuel de Sousa Director of Visitors Sales North and Latin America Matthew Rosenstein Sales Manager Noah Buchwald Sales & Planning Director TV Division, MIP Markets Sylvain Faureau Sales Director Aude Dionnet Sales Director Peggy Voutyras Sales Managers Paul Barbaro, Nancy Denole, Samira Haddi, Cyril Szczerbakow, Hicran Lefort, Pascale Lallemand Director of Buyer Relations Yi-Ping Gerard Sales Executive, Buyers Laetitia Rouis-Carrero Sales Executive, Buyers Phoumalay Ackhavong Sales Executive, Buyers Alexandre Collet Australia and New Zealand Representative Natalie Apostolou China Representatives Anke Redl, Tammy Zhao, Kristian Kender CIS Representatives Alexandra Modestova Germany Representative Marc Wessel India Representative Anil Wanvari Israel Representative Yael Scop Japan Representative Lily Ono Middle-East Representative Bassil Hajjar Spain Representative Maria Jose Vadillo South Korea Representative Sunny Kim Taiwan Representative Irene Liu Reed MIDEM, a joint stock company (SAS), with a capital of €310.000, 662 003 557 R.C.S. NANTERRE, having offices located at 27-33 Quai Alphonse Le Gallo - 92100 BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT (FRANCE), VAT number FR91 662 003 557. Contents © 2021, Reed MIDEM Market Publications. Publication registered 1st quarter 2021. ISSN 2104-2179.

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FORMATS PROGRAMMING BRIEFS

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- DISCOVERY NETWORKS ASIA-PACIFIC - FRANCE TELEVISIONS - NHK - WATERBEAR NETWORK - ZDF ENTERPRISES

FORMATS ACCELERATOR - ALL3MEDIA INTERNATIONAL - ITV STUDIOS - NEWEN CONNECT - SMALL WORLD IFT - WEMAKE

PARTNER CONTENT SHOWCASES - FORMATS - ALL3MEDIA INTERNATIONAL - BBC STUDIOS - iFORMATS - ITO - ISTANBUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - KOCCA - TBS - TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM

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- GLOBO - NTV BROADCASTING - YELLOW BLACK & WHITE - ZDF ENTERPRISES

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ONE TV YEAR IN THE WORLD: CRACKING AUDIENCE TRENDS

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11.00

NHK

11.00

VIU

11.00

ABC

12.00

HUNAN TV

12.00

DISCOVERY NETWORKS ASIA-PACIFIC

12.00

KESHET 12

12.00

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

15.00

AMAZON STUDIOS

15.00

ZDF ENTERPRISES

15.00

BBC

15.00

ARD/ZDF KI.KA DER KINDERKANAL

16.00

WILDBRAIN

17.00

TV4

17.00

FRANCE TELEVISIONS

17.00

To be announced

17.00

WARNER BROS

18.00

ITV

18.00

WATERBEAR NETWORK

18.00

RTÉ

18.00

PBS KIDS

PROGRAMME AS OF MARCH 26. SUBJECT TO CHANGES

Drama

For buyers only - available until April 16

MIPDoc

13.30

MIPDRAMA

FRESH TV FORMATS Presented by The Wit

MIPFormats

12.30

CONFERENCES & EVENTS PROGRAMME CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED PROGRAMME

THURSDAY 15 APRIL

FRIDAY 16 APRIL

MEETUP: DOCS & FACTUAL CONTENT WESTERN EUROPE

30 MIN

MIP WORKOUT - FORMATS

45 MIN

10.30

MEETUP: KIDS CONTENT - ASIA

30 MIN

MIP WORKOUT - DRAMA

45 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

10.30

MEETUP: SCRIPTED FORMATS

30 MIN

MIP WORKOUT - KIDS

45 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

10.30

MEETUP: FORMATS - ASIA

30 MIN

MIP WORKOUT - FACTUAL

45 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

Kids

10.30

Drama

• LIVE - CEST TIME BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

11.00

- INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON THE CREATION OF NEW FORMATS - UNIQUE STORYTELLING FOR MEANINGFUL TELEVISION - KEEPING UNSCRIPTED FORMATS ALIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC

11.00

MEETUP: DOCS & FACTUAL - EASTERN & CENTRAL EUROPE, RUSSIA AND CIS MIP WORKOUT - FORMATS

30 MIN

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

12.30

MEETUP: YOUNG ADULT CONTENT

30 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

12.30

MEETUP: DRAMA - EASTERN & CENTRAL EUROPE, RUSSIA AND CIS

30 MIN

MIP WORKOUT - KIDS

45 MIN

17.00

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

MIP WORKOUT - DRAMA

45 MIN

- WHAT SHOULD I BE THINKING ABOUT TO FUTURE PROOF MY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY - TV DRAMA’S LAST FRONTIER: HOW TO PRODUCE IN AND WITH AFRICA - TV INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY: CHANGING HABITS AND REDUCING ECOLOGICAL IMPACT

17.00

MEETUP: KIDS CONTENT - NORTH AMERICA

30 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

30 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

ON-DEMAND AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 14 - CEST TIME 18.30

IN CONVERSATION WITH DAVID BECKHAM, SPORTING ICON, ENTREPRENEUR, FOUNDER OF PRODUCTION COMPANY STUDIO 99 VARIETY’S INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN TV AWARD, SUZANNE MACKIE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, « THE CROWN » AND CEO-FOUNDER OF ORCHID PICTURES

MIPTV THANKS ITS SPONSORS AND PARTNERS PROGRAMME AS OF MARCH 26. SUBJECT TO CHANGES

18.00

BEHIND THE CURTAIN A CONVERSATION WITH MARC ANTHONY, RENOWNED SINGER, SONGWRITER, RECORD EXECUTIVE, TELEVISION PRODUCER ACTOR AND PHILANTHROPIST

17.00

14.30 17.00

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

MEETUP: ENGLISH-SPEAKING DRAMA

MEETUP: FORMATS - EASTERN & CENTRAL EUROPE, RUSSIA AND CIS

30 MIN

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION MENTORING

15 MIN

WOMEN MENTORING

75 MIN

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

- HOW TO RAISE YOUR PROFILE FROM THE GROUND? - FUNDING GREEN CONTENT FOR KIDS

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

18.00

12.30

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

- PAPER FORMATS: CHALLENGES & SUCCESSES ON THE WAY TO PRODUCTION - THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTERTAINMENT: HOW AR ENABLES NEW FORMATS TO TURN PASSIVE AUDIENCES TO ACTIVE! - FINANCING TOP TRAVELLING TV FORMATS

MEETUP: FAMILY CONTENT

- GLOBAL FACTUAL CO-PRODUCTION... THE ROAD FORWARD - HOW ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE CAN BE A CONVINCING ASSET WHEN PITCHING YOUR FILM TO STREAMERS AND BROADCASTERS

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

17.00

11.00

- THE METAVERSE: IF YOU BUILD IT, WILL THEY WATCH? - GENDER EQUALITY IN KIDS’ WORLD - BUILDING FAN BASES

- INTERNATIONAL DRAMA CO-PRODUCTION: THE ROAD BACK... - BLOCKCHAIN FOR MEDIA PRODUCTION: BEYOND PROMISES... - OPENING THE DOOR TO TALENT TO MEET THE GLOBAL DEMANDS FOR HIGH QUALITY CONTENT

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

12.30

11.00

INTERNATIONAL FORMATS GOLD AWARD: ANETTE ROMER, FORMATS CONSULTANT, STV PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH C21MEDIA, FRAPA AND EMC

17.45

TRIBUNE FOR HEADS OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

18.30

MIP SDG AWARD: PAUL BUCCIERI, PRESIDENT, A+E NETWORKS

BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

In association with MediaClub’Elles BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

MIP WORKOUT - FACTUAL

45 MIN

- HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR TRUE CRIME IDEA IN A HIGHLY CROWDED MARKETPLACE! - CRAFTING A CULTURALLY AUTHENTIC STORY - HOW TO GET YOUR DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES OUT TO AS WIDE AND AUDIENCE AS POSSIBLE ACROSS TV, VOD AND OTHER PLATFORMS. BY PRE-REGISTRATION - LIMITED PLACES

MEETUP: FORMATS - LATAM

BOOKMARK THE SESSION IN YOUR AGENDA

30 MIN

MIPDoc

WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL

MIPFormats

TUESDAY 13 APRIL