World Screen ATF 2010 Edition

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THE MAGAZINE OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIA • DECEMBER 2010

www.worldscreen.com

ATF Edition

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contents

DECEMBER 2010/ASIA TV FORUM EDITION

Publisher Ricardo Seguin Guise

departments WORLD VIEW

6

Editor Anna Carugati

A note from the editor.

UPFRONT

Executive Editor Mansha Daswani

8

New shows on the market.

SPOTLIGHT

59

Teshkeel’s Naif Al-Mutawa.

WORLD’S END

In the stars.

8

14

Managing Editor Kristin Brzoznowski

40

Special Projects Editor Jay Stuart

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Editor, Spanish-Language Publications Elizabeth Bowen-Tombari

special report

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SUITED TO ASIA The broadcasters heading to Asia TV Forum are eager to stock their grids with high-quality, buzz-generating programs.

—Mansha Daswani

Executive Editor, Spanish-Language Publications Rafael Blanco Production and Design Director Matthew Rippetoe Online Director Simon Weaver Art Director Phyllis Q. Busell Sales and Marketing Manager Cesar Suero

asia pacific

TV Asia Pacific appears both inside World Screen and as a separate publication.

Business Affairs Manager Erica Antoine-Cole

FORMATS RACE AHEAD

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There’s a healthy appetite in the region for international concepts.

—Kristin Brzoznowski

KBS’S KIM IN-KYU

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The president and CEO of the Korean public broadcaster discusses KBS’s transition to digital, the export of its dramas and the challenges of financing the organization.

—Mansha Daswani

ASIAN LOVE AFFAIR

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Sales and Marketing Assistant Alyssa Menard Senior Editors Bill Dunlap Kate Norris Contributing Editors James Trimaco Lauren Uda Contributing Writers Dieter Brockmeyer Bob Jenkins David del Valle David Wood

Despite stiff local competition, Latin American novelas remain a staple for several Asian broadcasters.

—Mansha Daswani

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ASTRO’S HENRY TAN

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Malaysia’s DTH platform is upping its HD offerings and delivering new services like PVRs, according to its COO. —Mansha Daswani

MDEC’S BADLISHAM GHAZALI

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As CEO of the Malaysian government-backed initiative, Ghazali is raising the profile of the country’s content sector.

—Mansha Daswani

COMCAST’S CHRISTINE FELLOWES

44

56

The managing director for the Asia Pacific at CIMG oversees the rollout of channels as well as content syndication.

Ricardo Seguin Guise, President Anna Carugati, Executive VP and Group Editorial Director Mansha Daswani,VP of Strategic Development WORLD SCREEN is a registered trademark of WSN INC. 1123 Broadway, Suite 1207 New York, NY 10010, U.S.A. Phone: (212) 924-7620 Fax: (212) 924-6940 Website: www.worldscreen.com ©2010 WSN INC. Printed by Fry Communications No part of this publication can be used, reprinted, copied or stored in any medium without the publisher’s authorization.

—Mansha Daswani

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world view

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR ANNA CARUGATI

The Science of Television A recent issue of TV Guide magazine featured three of the stars of the hit series NCIS: Mark Harmon, who plays squad leader Agent Gibbs; Pauley Perrette, the forensic scientist Abby Sciuto; and Cote de Pablo, the former Mossad agent and trained assassin Ziva David. Besides being quite good-looking, these two women play multi-layered complex and appealing characters.

I love the series, so I read on and was surprised to learn how popular Perrette is. In a recent Performer Q Score study, which measures the familiarity and likeability of 1,800 performers and personalities, Perrette was in a threeway tie with Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman as most popular. And she was the only woman to even make the top ten. In her role as Abby, the Goth outfits and pigtails belie a sharp, analytical, scientific mind that helps solve the murders and crimes that NCIS, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is charged with investigating.

I found another very interesting fact about Perrette; it’s the “Abby effect.” She gets dozens of letters from young girls who say they have chosen to study math and science because of Abby and how cool she makes scientific sleuthing.

THE BOX OR At the same time as I was reading about the Abby effect, I was helping my daughter study for rather challenging sixth-grade science test. It THE BROWSER acovered the Big Bang Theory, expansion of the universe, dark matter, and the four main forces ARE JUST A WAY that interact with matter to define our universe: strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitational.

As we were studying these, we got on to physiOF MAKING THE cists’ quest for a “theory of everything,” a theory that will tie together gravity, the force that EMOTIONAL applies to huge celestial bodies, and the other three forces, which rule at the subatomic level.

Pretty mind-bending stuff, huh? But someCONNECTION how, for me, the awe that these scientific theories inspire is somehow easier to grasp than how computer or email work, or how algorithms STRONGER. my allow Google to search for everything from the name of a TV character to quarks and neutrinos.

Google, as you probably know, has recently unveiled Google TV, which very simply put, endeavors to tie together the Internet and traditional television programming. It’s a television equivalent, so to speak, of the theory of everything astrophysicists are searching for.

Google TV, in fact, allows users to access all of their usual TV channels as well as the world of the Internet, including Adobe Flash-based content, all from the comfort of their living rooms. And this is all done with the same ease as 6

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browsing the web. As explained in a release when Google, Intel, Logitech and Sony first announced Google TV last spring, “Google TV expands video choice from the hundreds of channels available today through a pay-TV provider to the vast storehouse of video content available through the web and streaming videos. The Google TV experience is complemented by the ability to watch streaming video from the leading content platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and YouTube. Google TV will also have the capability to run apps from the Android market.”

Apple TV is also offering a new and improved way of watching content.While my knowledge of Google ends at the search engine I use every single day, I am much more familiar with Apple—my family owns Macs, iPods, iPads, and I am an avid user of iTunes, not only for music, but for TV shows and movies as well.

Apple TV opens up a world of viewing possibilities— movies, TV shows and photos. HD movie and TV show rentals play over the Internet to your widescreen TV, while music and photos stream from your computer. The Apple TV box is surprisingly small.You just plug the power cord into an outlet and connect the box to your widescreen TV. Apple TV offers access to Netflix, YouTube videos and to some Internet content. You can control Apple TV with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and also stream music, photos and video from your computer and your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Amazing, all of these new possibilities. Already there are supporters of one system or the other. Google TV proponents like its open system and the fact that it offers live TV through a partnership with DISH Network. Apple TV does not offer live TV. Many say Google TV will revolutionize television, but the system still has many kinks that need to be worked out. Apple TV works now as it is, and I’m sure Steve Jobs and his team will continue to add bells and whistles.

Regardless of the hardware and software, what will ultimately make these devices appealing are movies and TV shows, with quirky and compelling characters like Abby on NCIS—the box or the browser are just a way of making the emotional connection stronger.

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Al Jazeera Children’s Channel www.jcctv.net • Discover Science • Nan & Lili • Saladin

At MIPCOM, Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) and NHK announced a slew of new partners on their co-production Discover Science.

One of JCC’s highlights for the Asia TV Forum, the series has scored Germany’s SWR, UR of Sweden and Korea’s EBS as co-pro partners, as well as broadcast slots on Astro in Malaysia and Brunei. Geared to kids aged 10 to 15, the 26x14-minute sciencetainment series offers explanations of scientific theories using real-world experiments.

Another important co-production project for JCC is the preschool show Nan & Lili, consisting of 200 3minute animated episodes. Rounding out the list of ATF highlights is the 26x26-minute Saladin, a 3D actionadventure animation co-produced with Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC). The series was recently licensed into Turkey.

Nan & Lili

Saladin

ALL3MEDIA International www.all3mediainternational.com • Cash at Your Door • Who You Gonna Call?

• Undercover Boss • The Cube • Cash Cab

Cash Cab has become a hit around the world. Sabrina Duguet, format sales executive at ALL3MEDIA International, says the format has been so successful “largely because it’s such a flexible, economic and fun show to produce.” She adds, “A few Asian territories are still available for license.” Cash atYour Door is a recent acquisition for ALL3MEDIA that involves answering general-knowledge questions for a cash prize. Who You Gonna Call?, a brand-new format, is a studio-based game show that involves using mobile-phone contacts to win money.“We have strong interest in this show, which of course has sponsorship appeal as well,” Duguet notes. “Buyers looking for a major prime-time entertainment game show should check out The Cube, ITV U.K.’s huge Saturday night hit format show, and of course Undercover Boss is gong so well now—not only in the U.S.A. but now also in the U.K., Denmark and Australia for example,” she adds.

“ALL3MEDIA International has a good

track record in successful formats and we’d like to see more performing well in Asia.

”

—Sabrina Duguet

The Cube

A channel profile, a close-up with someone making news, and a recap of the week’s events—delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

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Beyond Distribution www.beyond.com.au Get Squiggling!

• Get Squiggling!

• Toybox • The Will: Family Secrets Revealed • Damage Control • Apocalypse 2012

From kids’ to factual and just about everything in between, Beyond Distribution is offering up a mixed bag to Asian buyers. Leading off the slate is Get Squiggling!, commissioned

by CBeebies in the U.K. Also for the younger set, Toybox is filled with songs, dance and movement for kids and also has spelling and number segments. “Children’s series with high production values and educational content usually appeal to the Asian market,” says Joanne Azzopardi, Beyond’s VP for Australasia. From the factual arena, The Will: Family Secrets Revealed is a real-life series that looks at what happens when there’s no will or wills have been tampered with. Damage Control, narrated by Russell Crowe, focuses on elite sports and athletes and what happens to the human body in trauma. Azzopardi says the show “appeals to anyone who is interested in good quality factual content.” Also, Apocalypse 2012 is a documentary that delves into people’s belief that the world will end when the Mayan calendar does in 2012.

“I am looking forward to having extra time with my clients and finalizing business at the market before the [end of the year].”

—Joanne Azzopardi

GMA Worldwide www.gmanetwork.com • • • • •

Beauty Queen Grazilda Little Trudis Endless Love My Golden Lady

GMA Worldwide has put drama at the top of its ATF sales slate. Beauty Queen tells the stories of three women in their struggle to achieve their childhood dreams. “Generally speaking, both male and female audiences will find something in the show’s original and bold story line,” says Roxanne Barcelona, the VP of GMA Worldwide. Grazilda is a continuation of the story after Cinderella’s happily ever after.

“Viewers will instantly fall in love with the brave, out-ofthe-ordinary heroine, one of the stepsisters herself, Grazilda,” remarks Barcelona. Little Trudis follows a 5-year-old girl who, despite many tragedies in her young life, is kind-hearted, helpful, diligent, loving and smart. Endless Love is a local adaptation of KBS’s Autumn In My Heart. Topping off the roster is My Golden Lady, the story of Orang, who entered the lives of an aboriginal family as an abandoned baby.

“These titles are telenovelas, which are well-received by the Asian market,” Barcelona explains of GMA’s top highlights.

Endless Love

“Telenovelas…are well-received by the Asian market.”

—Roxanne Barcelona

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Novavision Promotion Internationale www.novavision.fr • • • • •

Pop Corn TV QUIzZz Crazy Hidden Camera Hilarious Home Video Special Xmas Hidden Camera

From its inception, the French candid-camera company Novavision has been focusing on a “one product serves all” approach, says Nadège Boinnard, Novavision’s executive VP. And this is where Pop Corn TV comes in.“Novavision will introduce at ATF this year 200 new episodes of the flagship program, which is a 26-minute compilation of funny non-dialogue clips: hidden cameras, home videos, bloopers, comedy sketches. Pop Corn TV is all non-dialogue and ready to [air] at no additional cost.”

The catalogue includes 65 hours of the Crazy Hidden Camera program, 30 hours of the Hilarious Home Video program and a 5x26-minute Special Xmas Hidden Camera offering. “Novavision’s new baby for ATF is QUIzZz,” Boinnard notes.“The company has full confidence in this new format; its clients sure will appreciate a short, funny and interactive program, which also keeps the audience watching during commercial breaks.”

“ The fact that [the shows] are all non-dialogue means they are ready to [air] at no additional cost for the broadcaster.

”

—Nadège Boinnard

Telefe International www.telefeinternational.com • • • • •

“ Nowadays, because of Telefe’s original

Cain & Abel 80’s Crush Secrets of Love 3, 2, 1 Let’s Win! Just in Time

programs and flexible alternatives, Asia has become synonymous with opportunity more than ever before.

”

India and China are among the Asian markets that are starting to consider Telefe International’s family game shows and scripted drama for local adaptations and coproduction, according to Guillermo Borensztein, sales executive for programming and formats.This has been part of an overall expansion of the company’s business in Asia.

“During 2010…we [sold] scripted formats to Indonesia, Malaysia and China and family game shows to India, plus we entered Thailand for the very first time.”

At ATF, headline properties include the new On TV novela Cain & Abel, inspired by the biblical story; Fox Television Studios’ 13-part series 80’s Crush; the 69-episode telenovela Secrets of Love; and the entertainment formats 3, 2, 1 Let’s Win! and Just in Time. Other offerings include Echoes from the Past, commemorating Argentina’s bicentennial, the football-based novela WAGs, Love for the Game and Cris Morena’s teen series The Resistance.

—Guillermo Borensztein

Cain & Abel

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Hawaii Five-0.

ASIA

Suited to

By Mansha Daswani

From the pan-regional giants to major terrestrials, the broadcasters heading to Asia TV Forum are eager to stock their grids with high-quality, buzz-generating programs.

After taking a 6.5-percent hit last year, advertising revenues in the Asia Pacific are set to bounce back to $106 billion this year, according to ZenithOptimedia, rising to $112.8 billion in 2011.With growth on track to continue—ZenithOptimedia sees a 7.4-percent jump in 2012—broadcasters appear to be ready to open up their wallets for both local programming and acquisitions; albeit, in a prudent manner.

That’s the consensus among the buyers surveyed about their programming needs ahead of this year’s Asia TV Forum (ATF). And while programming budgets differ radically

across the region, from pan-regional behemoths to local terrestrials, all are firmly focused on quality and value for money.

“We simply focus on the returns we can get from our investments,” notes Michael Dick, head of acquisitions at one of Asia’s key panregional buyers, Fox International Channels (FIC). “If we don’t need to spend then we won’t, despite having the facilities to do so. If an opportunity arises that’s worth pursuing, then we will consider pursuing it.The economy obviously plays a part and influences decisions, but it’s only one factor of many.”

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A similar sentiment is shared by Wong Yan-Jong, VP at AXN Asia, part of the SPE Networks—Asia portfolio that also includes AXN Beyond and Sony Entertainment Television. “We did not significantly cut back on our budget when the conditions of the economy were more challenging,” she says. “Now, we continue to be prudent, but are definitely willing to invest if and when the right shows come along.”

THE BIG GUNS

Pan-regional giants FIC and SPE are heavily reliant on U.S. imports.

At FIC, Dick is buying for a slate that includes the more femalefriendly STAR World and the male-skewing FOX, as well as

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STAR Movies, FX and Fox Crime. Asked about acquisitions that have been particularly successful recently, Dick responds: “I think FIC’s best deals are the ones that have been beneficial to everyone concerned—the platform, the advertiser, the content provider and the channel. For instance, the agreement we reached with Shine International earlier this year not only allows FIC to acquire highquality products, such as MasterChef and Got to Dance (which will be a key part of the new STAR World offering), but also delivers additional benefits in terms of exclusivity, such as firstruns and broadcasting rights on mobiles, Internet and so forth.

This provides additional value to

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our affiliate partners, advertisers and viewers.”

Dick also cites FIC’s volume deal with Disney to provide movies for the newly launched Fox Family Movies network.

“This acquisition deal will help strengthen the channel’s proposition. In addition, our deal gives us access to HD product and ondemand services. These initiatives enhance FIC’s overall entertainmentchannel portfolio and our leadership in this region.”

Dick says that FIC buys a “significant amount” of content for its 45-channel portfolio, across the gamut of genres. “FIC buys just about all genres, except children’s series, sports and news.” The focus, however, is on movies, reality series and scripted shows. “In the past we have focused solely on U.S. programming, but as the quality of production has increased significantly across the world, we do keep a lookout for product from other parts of the world. So, in time, we would expect to provide our viewers with tried-and-tested programming as well as a first glimpse of high-quality, edgy, quirky, novel or groundbreaking shows.”

FIC Asia representatives will be at the ATF seeking out new content, but there are no specific slots that need to be filled at this time, Dick says. “The overall focus is less on slots and more on exclusive programming and true first-runs together with acquiring brands that complement the channels. Of course, we need to have the shelf space for the programs but we look at each programming opportunity as it arises.”

At AXN, drama remains a core programming pillar, says Wong, with one of the most recent hits being CBS’s NCIS: Los Angeles.

Other CBS shows that AXN Asia has scooped up include Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods for the flagship channel, and The Defenders for AXN Beyond and Sony Entertainment Television. AXN Beyond also picked up the Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica for launch this month.

Wong says that she buys throughout the year to “ensure our channels are always serving up a wide variety of the freshest and best programs available on the market,” and she is currently seeking out drama and reality series, as

All in the family: Celebrity-based entertainment content, like Mel B: It’s a Scary World, from Comcast International Media Group, is being sought out by a number of networks.

well as movies. “We are seeing some popular U.S. drama series ending after very long and successful runs, such as 24 on AXN and Lost on AXN Beyond.We are hoping to acquire new productions of similarly high quality to replace these series. We are also on the lookout for more female-skewed lifestyle entertainment programming and drama series for Sony Entertainment Television.”

INDIAN SUMMER

Passion reigns supreme: Asian novelas, such as GMA Network’s Golden Heart, are beginning to pick up slots across the region.

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A new broadcaster on the block that is also stocking its grid with U.S. content is India’s Reliance Broadcast Network, which is planning to launch a slate of channels, the first of which are being produced in partnership with CBS Studios International. BIG CBS Prime, a general-entertainment network, rolled out in November; the youth channel BIG CBS Spark launches in December and the female-targeted BIG CBS Love makes its debut in February.

Prime is targeted at “the 18- to World Screen

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34-year-old male and female young professionals [who are] upwardly mobile,” says Tarun Katial, CEO of Reliance Broadcast Network. Spark, meanwhile, will gear to 15- to 24-year-olds who want “edgier content” and Love will skew towards 18- to 34year-old women.

Prime launched in November with a slate that included The Defenders, Blue Bloods, Survivor, CSI and Entertainment Tonight.

“The launch of BIG CBS Prime marks a revolution in Englishlanguage television entertainment in India, with top international shows being telecast almost concurrent to the U.S. broadcast,” Katial says. “BIG CBS Prime’s carefully crafted [schedule, geared toward] 18- to 34-year-old audiences seeking English-language entertainment content, promises to work excellently for India.”

Katial continues, “India is one of the youngest countries, with over 40 percent of its population under the age of 30. Youth form

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Armed and ready: FOX Asia recently premiered The Walking Dead, a Fox International Channels’ original co-production with AMC in the U.S.

an avid television consumer base.

There is an increasing conversion of the English-speaking population into an English-viewing population. There is a growing upwardly mobile audience that seeks English entertainment. There are several newer categories coming up, which appeal to the younger mindset. Advertisers today are looking at platforms to connect with this audience base, posing a huge opportunity.”

BORN FREE

While high-end Western imports are key in the pay-TV arena, a much more mixed slate is seen on Asia’s leading terrestrial broadcasters. In the Philippines, for example, GMA Network’s biggest imported successes recently have been the Korean prime-time dramas Bread, Love and Dreams, Dong Yi and Dae Mul (Big Thing). Roxanne Barcelona, VP at GMA’s sales and acquisitions arm, GMA

Worldwide, says that the Filipino broadcaster is spending anywhere from $4 million to $6 million annually on its acquisitions. “The programming budget is dependent on what content we require. If we require more local content, then the acquisition budget declines, or, at best, stays the same.”

Heading into ATF, Barcelona’s shopping list includes animation, Korean dramas and Hollywood theatricals. “We fill slots for both GMA-7 and QTV-11. Both are free-TV channels. For GMA there are less slots to fill, especially in prime time, since the content here is all local, except for a slot at around 10:30 p.m. daily which we have set aside for Korean dramas.

During the day we have a twohour morning block for Japanese anime. For QTV, we have slots for animation as well.”

At MediaCorp’s English-language general-entertainment network Channel 5 in Singapore, the need is 16

for content to fill prime time, says Joy Olby-Tan, VP of network acquisitions, about 70 percent of which is international content.

“We acquire movies, drama, variety, reality, comedy and selected sports events.”

HIT-SEEKERS

Recent hits have included variety shows like Breaking the Magician’s Code and Ninja Warrior. Other purchases include the Filipino drama The Two of Us, FOX’s Glee and USA Network’s White Collar. “If there is good content that can drive our viewership and business, we will find slots for them,” OlbyTan says.

“Belts are still being tightened but we will make new investments where warranted. What we hope to achieve are improved productivities and to find new ways to retain the ever-distracted viewer.”

In neighboring Malaysia, Airin Zainul, the general manager of

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the Media Prima Berhad-owned ntv7, says she’s “thankful” that the economy is on the mend. “We are able to plough more investment into content and our schedule offerings.”

About 40 percent of ntv7’s schedule is acquired, Zainul says, made up of movies, drama—from within the region and from the U.S.—variety and light entertainment. The slots she’s currently looking to fill are weekends and weekday early mornings.

Like ntv7, DTH platform Astro is emphasizing Asian content on its portfolio of branded entertainment channels, in order to appeal to the country’s diverse Malay, Chinese and Indian communities. According to Zainir Aminullah, executive director of Astro Entertainment—a slate of channels that includes Astro Ria, Astro Warna, Astro Prima, Astro OASIS, Astro Awani, Astro Citra, Astro HITZ, the sports network Astro Arena and the kids’ net-

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work Astro Ceria—the company has upped its local content output from 1,700 hours in 2007 to more than 6,000 this year. “Acquisition of foreign content is minimal as these channels are catered [to] the Malay-language segment,” Aminullah says. “The finished shows acquired would be foreign movies for Astro Citra, which plays predominantly local movies (70/30 split). We also buy foreign series, especially for Ceria.”

Aminullah is still eager to find formats that can be tailored to local needs. “We mainly acquire variety and reality, however, we continue to explore scripted to be versioned into local language.”

because those seem to work very well for the regional feeds.”

FIC has started to explore formats, Dick says. “We are planning to produce programming tailored to our local audiences. We are in no rush and will be very selective about the projects that we take on; however, we do see that access to international formats will absolutely make our entertainment channels even stronger.

We are going to cast a wide net and look for all kinds of formats and FORMAT FEVER program opportunities The pan-regionals are also looking as opposed to simply at the format market. Universal picking up something Cooking up a storm: Lifestyle fare, such as Beyond’s Chuck’s Day Off, is in demand from both pay-TV Networks International signed up comparable to another and free-TV broadcasters. for its own version of The Biggest show that is doing well Loser for Diva Universal. “We’re in the region or elsewhere. The AMC’s The Walking Dead. Early this year has only renewed Survivor doing these toe dips into shows like main criteria will be an idea that numbers for the Asian premiere for a new season. “At the moment, The Biggest Loser Asia,” says Ray- has some sort of local relevance or were promising following the management would like us to promund Miranda, managing director is adaptable to local markets.” strong debut in the U.S. In Singa- duce mostly local concepts,” of Universal Networks International Co-productions are part of the pore, the series debuted 425-percent Barcelona explains. in the Asia Pacific, “and we’re look- mix for global brands like FIC, higher than the time-slot average. In Astro, too, is eagerly developing ing at another possible format, which is on board as a partner on the Philippines, it was 1,700-percent local ideas that could be exported higher than the time-slot aver- globally. “A recent success story is age. In Korea, the show drew the homegrown format Imam 57,000 viewers and was the Muda,” Aminullah says. “We are still highest-rated premiere on FOX focusing on developing our own this year. The co-production, local unique and compelling forDick says, “enables us to mats. Imam Muda is a good example move up the value chain by of a potential format that can be getting more broadcasting adapted internationally.” rights on different platforms He adds,“Our viewers are becomand opening more launch ing more discerning now and they windows, thus bringing sigwill demand quality and unique nificant value to our affiliate content, so our task is to be on the partners and viewers.” lookout for formats that will grab AXN recently wrapped its the attention of our viewers.” fourth season of The Amazing MediaCorp’s Olby-Tan does still Race Asia, which has been a have a demand for formats, after success for the network. Wong the broadcaster’s success with says she is keen to spot “fresh properties like Idols. “The usual reality formats” and would be suspects [we’d look at] are big interested in co-productions. brands with proven track records “If the right opportunity pres- that can lend themselves to localents itself, we will definitely ization and the ability to drive our be open to exploring it.” business. We do of course hope to The Philippines’ GMA has find diamonds in the rough, too, bought a number of interna- and will give due review to formats with strong potential.”

On the catwalk: FremantleMedia Enterprises’ Project Runway airs on a host of networks in the region. tional formats in the past, but 18

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A LOOK AT INNOVATION IN THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY

BY KRISTIN BRZOZNOWSKI

spotlight

Teshkeel Media’s

Naif Al-Mutawa The world’s first comic-book superheroes based on Islamic culture and society, The 99, are headed to the TV screen, courtesy of Endemol and Kuwait-based publishing group Teshkeel Media. Featured in monthly comic books from Teshkeel Comics, the story follows the adventures of a group of superheroes, each embodying one of 99 global values. Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, the creator of The 99 and CEO of Teshkeel Media, talks about his inspiration for the show’s concept and the importance it serves in presenting Islamic culture to mainstream audiences.

WS: How did The 99 come about?

AL-MUTAWA: As the father of five boys, I have long been

a major player in the licensing industry.... It was fascinating to watch my boys learn from animation. Perhaps the most poignant example was my eldest son, who at age 7 was so well versed in Egyptology that I was getting pretty impressed with his school curriculum. But when I took him to Egypt and he asked to see Yu-Gi-Oh! at the pyramids, I found it was the Japanese cartoon that had taught my son those elements of Arab culture.

As my sons were learning vicariously what television was programming them to learn, so was I. As a psychologist and businessman I thought, What better way to influence our future culture than by animated characters? And this got me thinking and I ultimately hatched a plan to mainstream the positive elements within my own culture that are shared with the rest of humanity.

WS: How are you translating it into a television series?

AL-MUTAWA: The 99 animated series uses a lot of ele-

ments from the story lines in the comic books and a lot of elements that are not. The big-picture themes of diversity, tolerance, respect, multiculturalism (and action-packed adventure!) are as wonderfully represented in the animated series as they are in the comic books. The comics were intended for an older audience, but our writers were immensely skillful in translating the comic books into a family hour program that will entertain and enthrall kids (and adults!) of all ages.

WS: How important was it for you to get into the U.S. market, with a pickup by The Hub? AL-MUTAWA: It was a validation on many fronts. The CEO of The Hub, Margaret Loesch, was an early mentor to me. I met her several years ago and she was generous with her time when I needed advice and was just starting out. She was one of three people I turned to when Endemol approached us to co-produce the series. She followed our development closely and when she became the CEO

of The Hub it was serendipitous.

The fact that we are to be aired in the United States is a coup.

But the fact that it is on The Hub has a special meaning for me.

WS: Tell us about your partner-

ship with Endemol.

AL-MUTAWA: Subniv Babuta, a freelance television producer, was visiting a friend in Egypt when his friend’s son pulled some comics he was reading from under his bed. The comics were The 99. Subniv introduced himself to us via email, inquiring about the animation rights to The 99. I told him I would only be interested in partnering with someone if there were distribution attached. Next thing you know he showed up on our Kuwait doorstep with behemoth Endemol in tow. I was both flattered and confused. I knew enough about the business to know, that animation was not Endemol’s sweet spot. Nor was it known for producing shows they didn’t own. So I reached out to one of my mentors who explained to me that Endemol’s then new CEO,Ynon Kreiz, used to run Fox Kids in Europe and that if anyone understood kids’ programming, it was him. And the rest, as they say, is history.

WS: How do you think the show can change people’s

impressions about a culture and religion that is often misunderstood?

AL-MUTAWA: It is how people tell their stories that says a lot about who they are. If we tell a story that simply roots us in our past, we’ll be seen like Al Bundy from Married… with Children, who keeps telling us about his glory days in high school even though he is now a shoe salesman in his 50s. My culture has become an Al Bundy of sorts.We need new cultural icons that do not disappoint our children.

Instead of a shoe salesman who can’t stop talking about his childhood, those icons need to be rooted in a common denominator that brings all human beings together.The 99 are those icons.They are from 99 countries and work with each other in mutual respect and admiration.That’s what the world needs and that’s what The 99 has.

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IN THE STARS

Almost every national constitution forbids the establishment of an official state religion. But this secular bent doesn’t stop people from looking to the heavens for answers to life’s most troublesome questions: Will I succeed? Will I find love? Will I get to wear Lady Gaga’s meat dress?

Every day, papers and magazines worldwide print horoscopes—projections for people born in a specific month, based on the positions of the stars and planets. While many people rely on these daily, weekly or monthly messages for guidance in their lives, some readers skip over them entirely.

The editors of WS recognize that

Eva Longoria

Justin Bieber

Lindsay Lohan

Christina Aguilera

Charlie Sheen

Eva Longoria

Global distinction: Hollywood bad boy.

Sign: Virgo (b. September 3, 1965) Significant date: October 26, 2010 Noteworthy activity: The Two and a Half Men star is

Global distinction: Fashion-forward Latina actress.

Sign: Pisces (b. March 15, 1975) Significant date: November 7, 2010 Noteworthy activity: While hosting the MTV Europe

found drunk and naked after trashing his NYC hotel room. A prostitute is also found, screaming from inside a locked closet. During his rampage, Sheen loses his $150,000 Patek Philippe watch.

Horoscope: “If you find yourself ‘overwhelmed’ this week by either a physical task/need or an emotional conundrum, it may be wise to seek the council or assistance of a ‘trusted buddy,’ with ‘trust’ being the operative word.” (0800-horoscope.com)

Music Awards, the Desperate Housewives star goes on stage wearing a ham outfit. The move is done to spoof Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress that she wore at the MTV Video Music Awards months earlier. Gaga reportedly didn’t find the joke funny and is said to be livid.

Horoscope: “You are likely taking more creative risks this year in an effort to pursue dreams that suit your deepest needs. These risks may be met with opposition so make sure you can handle the backlash.” (cafeastrology.com)

Silvio Berlusconi

Justin Bieber

Global distinction: Controversial Italian politician.

Sign: Libra (b. September 29, 1936) Significant date: November 2, 2010 Noteworthy activity: The Prime Minister is called to

Global distinction: R&B “It” boy.

Sign: Pisces (b. March 1, 1994) Significant date: October 17, 2010 Noteworthy activity: Police investigate an incident

resign over his involvement with an underage Moroccan runaway, one of many dalliances with women that has landed him in hot water with his country. He defends his lifestyle and fondness for young women by saying it is “better to be passionate about beautiful girls than to be gay.”

Horoscope: “Don’t indulge yourself too much in any kind of controversial situation. If you can have restraint, you will find yourself leading a happier path in life, love and your career.” (pramodsharma.com)

that occurred during a game of laser tag that involved the pop star and a 12-year-old boy. The teen idol was apparently trying to avoid getting tagged during a game when he accidentally knocked into the kid, whose injuries were minor. Many reports indicate that that Bieber had been called an offensive slur prior to the altercation.

Horoscope: “Chances are high of getting engaged in altercations and arguments at work. Think rationally before taking any step.” (bukisa.com)

these little pearls of random foresight occasionally prove prophetic.

But rather than poring over charts of the zodiac to predict world events, our staff prefers to use past horoscopes in an attempt to legitimate the science.

As you can see here, had some of these media figures remembered to consult their horoscopes on significant days, they could have avoided

Christina Aguilera

a few surprises.

Lindsay Lohan Global distinction: Troubled party girl.

Sign: Cancer (b. July 2, 1986) Significant date: November 8, 2010 Noteworthy activity: The tabloid princess is serv-

ing yet another stint in rehab. Her mother, Dina Lohan, appears on the Today show and finally admits that her daughter is a drug addict. “She’s been in a couple facilities, but this one, to me, has really changed her,” Dina says.

Horoscope: “You are too impressionable [and] that is not the best way to be. It affects business and personal relationships. Try to behave calmly, not letting emotions take hold.” (daily-horoscopes.biz) 62

World Screen

Global distinction: Pop sex symbol.

Sign: Sagittarius (b. December 18, 1980) Significant date: October 25, 2010 Noteworthy activity: Amid her split from hubby

Jordan Bratman, rumors emerge that the blonde songstress is bisexual and is dating Lindsay Lohan’s ex, Samantha Ronson. Both deny the rumors, yet the Dirty singer has been spotted leaving Ronson’s house on more than one occasion very late at night.

Horoscope: “For young Sagittarius’s who are extremely magnetic and good-looking it is advisable to avoid any kind of immoral love affairs as they may be harmful. Be careful as rumors are likely to cause misunderstanding with your family members or friends.” (india-server.com)

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