13 minute read
NOVEMBER
from Mipcom 2020
by TodotvMedia
Driven by recent hits such as the Academy Award-winning film ‘Parasite’, or the global success of music-game show formats such as ‘I Can See Your Voice’; K-content has become more popular in the past few years, with growing demand from new international markets.
Meeting this demand for new content shouldn’t be a problem for Korean producers, who are known for being trend-setters when it comes to TV concepts and formats.
“Korean content creators and providers have to be sensitive to trends and constantly looking to present something new to bring fresh ideas,” said Jangho Seo, SVP, Content Business Division at CJ ENM, who spoke to ttv about his company’s upcoming productions, including new projects across Europe and the US, and the new slate for Mipcom Online+, where Korea has been chosen as this year’s Country of Honor.
What new titles will be CJ ENM be pre
senting at Mipcom Online+? CJ ENM is a horizontally integrated company and our content portfolio has been in such a wide variety of genres. Moreover, we have been expanding our reach beyond the Korean and Asian markets via our active finished and format sales business.
At Mipcom 2020, we will be presenting new scripted shows such as suspense romance drama ‘Flower of Evil’ and Sci-fi drama ‘Train’. For the non-scripted formats, we would like to present ‘I-LAND’ which is music competition show to develop and produce the next generation idol group like BTS for the global stage, and the physical game show ‘Cash back’ that is co-developed by CJ ENM and Bunim/Murray productions.
Which are other titles would you highlight from CJ’s catalogue? We would like to highlight on our global mega hit format
Flower of Evil Drama ‘I Can See Your Voice’, the music mystery show which premiered in 2015 and now it is preparing for season 8 in Korea. This format has been commissioned in 12 different countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Thailand, the Philippines and more. Most recently, its US version made its successful debut on FOX with great results. We are proud of its global success and believe that ICSYV entertains global audiences of all ages and together with their family.
Korean formats have been booming in the last couple of years. What makes them so special for the international market? Korean audiences are particularly trend sensitive, so Korean content creators and providers have to be sensitive to trends and constantly looking to present something new to bring
I-Land Format
fresh ideas. I think the wide variety of innovative content is what makes Korea such an appealing market to international buyers.
CJ ENM also constantly comes up with new formats to meet the market. This has led to a very diverse library with many unique formats hence giving us big opportunities to meet worldwide audiences. With so much content available, people everywhere are looking for things they have never seen before and Korean content definitely offers a unique sensibility that is new and fresh to international viewers.
I Can See Your Voice Format
And what about Korean dramas? Do you think they can travel internationally? Or its scripted formats are still the best way
to enter the Western Countries? We have seen great success with our scripted titles. In 2020, our Korean dramas like ‘Crash Landing On You’, ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ and ‘Record of Youth’ scored a huge ratings hit in Korea and also they are also drawing immense popularity with global viewers through Netflix. Along with other strong drama titles from various Korean channels and Netflix originals such as ‘Kingdom’, we can see the popularity of Korean drama rises outside Asian territory as well.
Most recently, Studio Dragon formed a partnership with Hollywood company Skydance Media to jointly plan and produce the American version of ‘Hotel del Luna’. We have also seen more interest in our formats as well, particularly those in the action/thriller genre, such as ‘Voice’ and ‘Tunnel’. We have a couple formats in development across Europe and the US so we are hoping for a major hit. full of potential that yet need to be ventured. They are both a challenge and an opportunity in expanding CJ ENM’s global footprint.
Is international coproduction especially with Western countries or Latin America- something CJ ENM is looking for in
the international market? Co-production is certainly one of the options that we are interested in, but it is important to note that CJ ENM is always open to other business opportunities with Western countries or Latin America as well.
How is the integration of Eccho Rights within CJ’s family working out. Are there any changes to be announced in the near
future? With the integration of Eccho Rights, CJ ENM has accelerated its global expansion strategy, helping its content business in markets including European territories, the Middle East and Latin America. We have great synergies strengthening our format business, content sales and distribution as well as developing the extensive catalogue. wide audiences, offering unique experiences and joy. We are working on meaningful scripted formats development in European territories and it could be announced soon.
This is a special year for Korea, given it was selected as a Country of Honour. What does this mean for the Korean tele
vision industry? In these times, where more people are searching for new stories and content than ever, it’s a great honor to participate in Mipcom’s Country of Honour. This is a special opportunity for not only just CJ ENM, but also all Korean entertainment and media companies to promote K-content and we hope to make the most of it.
In 2020, the popularity of K-drama and K-formats is incessant, and more markets are looking into originality from Korea. Korean production is gaining in visibility thanks to global hit with the Academy Award-winning film ‘Parasite’ and recent global success of music-game show ‘I Can See Your Voice.’
We look forward to contributing to showcasing the excellence of the nation’s creativity and accomplishments at the global market.
Laurine Garaude, director of Television at Reed Midem, spoke to ttv to share details about what the virtual edition of Mipcom has in store, as it seeks to replicate the traditional event’s atmosphere and sense of community, online.
By Gonzalo Larrea
@GonzaloLarrea
October 12 marks the beginning of what will surely be the most atypical edition in Mipcom history. The traditional market was forced to cancel its physical edition this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and launched a virtual edition called Mipcom Online+, which will take place through an online platform designed especially for the occasion.
To nd out more about this one-of-a-kind event, the new platform and its organization’s expectations, ttv spoke to Laurine Garaude, director of Television at Reed Midem.
This will be a Mipcom like never before. How is the organization preparing for it?
First of all, of course we are sad to not be in Cannes. But at the same time we are very excited about this Mipcom Online+ edition. We are having a really great response. Today we have over 600 virtual exhibitor pages, over 2,000 buyers and hundreds of people signing up every day, so it’s looking really, really exciting.
How will the market take place? Mipcom Online+ is in fact in three parts. The rst one is the Mipcom Warm Up Week, which starts on Monday, October 5th. It is exactly what it’s called, a warm up. Therefore it is meant to
glarrea@todotv.tv
prepare the market. It has a number of session of market intelligence; the Production Funding Forum, which is investors speaking about their strategy and also programming strategies; and then a number of other ming strategies; and then a number of other sessions. And of course, it’s a time to start sessions. And of course, it’s a time to start scheduling all the meetings for the digital scheduling all the meetings for the digital marketplace.
Then we have Mipcom week, from the 12th Then we have Mipcom week, from the 12th to the 16th. It is the digital market place, to the 16th. It is the digital market place, with the main stage conferences and all the with the main stage conferences and all the screenings.
The third section is Mipcom Follow Up+, The third section is Mipcom Follow Up+, which takes place from October 17th to No which takes place from October 17th to No vember 17th. And it’s exactly that: a time to vember 17th. And it’s exactly that: a time to replay all the content from the platform and replay all the content from the platform and also to continue networking on the platform. also to continue networking on the platform.
I understand this platform will be com understand this platform will be com
pletely new and di erent from the one pletely new and di erent from the one
used for Miptv. Is that so? We learned a We learned a lot from Miptv Online+ and it was quite lot from Miptv Online+ and it was quite successful. We had over 5,000 participants successful. We had over 5,000 participants and 3,000 hours of content watched, as and 3,000 hours of content watched, as well as a lot of engagement. But the platform was done in a very short time, and it spurred our action into online.
For this Mipcom we’ve ampli ed what we are doing online by creating a whole new networking platform. So yes, it’s new and di erent from the online database that we’ve had in the past, because it’s really a more networking, social media, community feeling platform than a directory.
You can set up meetings, do video conferencing, meet new people, chat with people... It’s a new tool. And it also has a lot of content screenings and all the main stage events, all the keynotes. It’s really an online replicate of Mipcom.
How will it work in terms of networking? You have to ll your pro le really clearly, and
detailed, because the better you ll up your pro le, the better response you will have in terms of recommendations and people nding you in a way that makes sense. You will get recommendations, the platform has AI and so it learns to know the di erent people and will personalize recommendations. So you can meet people by contacting them, chatting, seeing their interests and seeing if you match.
Has it been used already for another
Reed Midem event? Yes, we already used it for Midem, the music event, and it was very successful. We are using it in a di erent way, customized for the TV industry now.
Will this be the same platform used for
MIP Cancun? Yes, it’s the same, but used di erently, in a way that make sense for MIP Cancun. It’s the same tool, but the functionalities will be di erent.
How many participants are you expect
ing for Mipcom Online+? It’s very hard to predict the total number because this is uncharted territory for us. There’s a huge amount of interest. We had 5,000 for Miptv. I think we will probably have more, but we don’t know yet. But what really counts is the quality of meetings and that we are able to recreate an international community feel, which is so important for the nature of the industry.
What can you tell us about the keynotes
and conferences? We have an amazing program. It’s exactly the program that we where going to have in Cannes. Ted Sarandos (Net- ix) is speaking, Tyler Perry (actor, director), Jeremy Darroch (Sky) is receiving the rst SDG Award (MIP Sustainable Development Goals Award), presented by Melisa Fleming from the United Nations. We will also have Matthew Cherry ( lmmaker). We have a fantastic line-up.
Also, we are introducing the Global Upfronts, featuring some top companies like ViacomCBS, Discovery, BBC, ITV and many more. That’s a new feature of the event that will be available as of Monday, October 12th
TED SARANDOS TO OFFER OPENING KEYNOTE
Despite being 100% virtual this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Mipcom’s keynotes and conferences agenda has nothing to envy that of previous years, starting with the presence of Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s newly appointed Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer, who will open Monday’s conference lineup and receive the Variety Vanguard Award in recognition of his significant contribution to the global entertainment business, following a virtual conversation with Variety’s Business Editor Cynthia Littleton.
in the morning. And lots of market screenings. We actually have over 60 screenings between market screenings, regional showcases and more.
And Korea is the Country of honour… Yes, Korea is the country of honour. We are very excited about that. A huge participation from Korea through content showcases, sessions and also matchmaking sessions with Korean producers.
Everything will be available and will be released every day at 9 AM CST. Then we have certain events like the keynotes and Fresh TV conferences that will go online at the Cannes time and then will be available on demand.
What do you think the event will look
like from now on? I think this pandemic is changing the way people function. For what I hear, I believe we all want to GLOBAL UPFRONTS 2020 The 2020 edition of Mipcom will feature a new segment promoted by Reed Midem and whose purpose is to provide a place for industry creators to showcase their new content: the Global Upfronts. The event will feature up to 14 studios, which will make a 20-minute presentation for buyers of their new programming, including a combination of nished series and series that are in production or in development. The objective, explained the Mipcom organization, is “to provide buyers with a new look at the most anticipated new programming from the world’s leading studios in all genres.” Participants include Beta Film, ITV Studios, A+E Networks, BBC Studios, Beta Film, Discovery, Inc., ITV Studios, Newen Distribution, ViacomCBS and ZDF Enterprises.
go back to in-person events. Our clients are missing the events and want to come back as soon as possible. But the digital transformation is real and some of it will remain. We will have to nd the right mix between digital and physical. For sure some of the digital functions will remain. I think people may end up traveling a little bit less, choosing to travel for the most important business events and markets, and I think we are well placed for that. “The digital transformation is real and some of it will remain. We will have to find the right mix between digital and physical.”
A STELLAR CONFERENCE LINEUP
In addition to Ted Sarandos, the event will also feature other prominent industry executives and talents such as Tyler Perry, playwright, writer, actor, producer, director and philanthropist; who will be honored with the World Screen Trendsetter award in recognition of his contributions to the international television industry, following a virtual keynote interview with World Screen Group Editorial Director, Anna Carugati. In addition, Alex Amancio, CEO and Co-Founder of Re ector Entertainment and one of the visionaries behind Assassin’s Creed, will also deliver a keynote address on Emerging Technology: Changing the Boundaries of Creativity to Enhance Media Engagement and Experience. Jeremy Darroch, CEO of the Sky group, will receive the inaugural MIP SDG Award for Climate Change and Protection of the Oceans in recognition of the global impact of the innovative Sky Ocean Rescue initiative. The Media Mastermind Keynotes program is completed by Oscar winner Matthew A. Cherry, who will receive the TV Kids Trendsetter Award.
