Andy Fry
The Beeb goes to battle and puts U.S.-backed nets on edge
NEWSThe U.K. is one of the most dynamic and competitive markets in the world when it comes to children’s broadcasting. With 70% of British kids now living in digital-friendly homes, the territory is fertile ground for the U.S.-backed thematic networks that now control much of the global trade in movies, TV, videos and consumer products.
Pact lobbies hard to power up the U.K. animation market
NEWSBritain’s independent production trade body has been an aggressive and effective lobbyist in the past couple of years – winning important legislative concessions for its members in the area of content rights. Fresh off of that success, Pact is now hoping to use its influence on the government to secure a US$92-million injection of public money to support the U.K.’s struggling animation business.
Ventures in kid capital: U.K. indies contemplate life after Ofcom
NEWSOn July 17, three years of wheeling and dealing in the U.K. media sector ended with the passing of the Communications Act 2003. In a far-reaching piece of legislation, Parliament tore up the U.K.’s existing regulatory regime, relaxed TV network ownership rules and introduced a range of tenets designed to redress the balance of power between broadcasters and independent producers.
Toys play a little left of center stage in developing merch markets
NEWS / RETAILIn the well-established economies of North America, Western Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific, toys are often pegged as the driving category of entertainment-based merch programs. But how does this conventional franchise leader stack up in countries where consumer and retail markets are still developing? Do toys play the same role, or are there financial and cultural factors that force rights owners to adopt different approaches that lean more heavily on other categories.
Tipping the scales with promotion package extras
NEWSIn today’s broadcast climate, it’s no longer enough to simply have good programs in your schedule. Competition is so intense in the digital age that a network can live or die by the quality of the editorial and marketing support it gives headline properties. Although few would admit it openly, signposting shows is often more important than promoting generic channel brands.
French kidnets buckle back down to the basics this season
NEWSWith five free-to-air networks targeting youth audiences, three French-originated thematic channels and a strong lineup of U.S.-backed cable and satellite outlets, France is a complex and competitive kids TV market. Programming players stake their survival on demo and genre specialization – and this fall is no exception. What is different this season is that French broadcasters are staying the scheduling course and falling back on proven franchises – a stark contrast from the block-launching frenzy of seasons past.
Reinventing the brand-building wheel
NEWSFor many years, marketing was considered a dirty word in television circles. Creators and dealmakers alike rebelled against the adoption of ideas and jargon formulated in the world of fast-moving consumer goods. But today’s crop of TV execs knows that a coordinated brand strategy is the key to maximizing the potential of any asset – whether it’s a character, show or channel. And just as important, they know that creativity and marketing aren’t mutually exclusive.
The indie influx
NEWSKids television producers are facing their toughest commercial challenges in years. A combination of stagnant advertising revenues, global stock market turmoil and production over-capacity means money for new shows is as scarce as it has ever been.
TV2 protects its turf in Denmark
NEWSDenmark is not a big country. With a total population of five million and around 60,000 children born each year, a good-sized kids audience in this territory is just 250,000 viewers. But despite its comparatively small audience pool, Denmark is as competitive as any other European kids TV market. It has two public broadcasters (Danmarks Radio and TV2), two well-established commercial rivals (TV3 and TV Danmark) and strong offerings from Cartoon Network and Fox Kids, with Disney Channel also gearing up to launch a Danish net in February.
Getting the green!
NEWSAlthough the endless merry-go-round of pitching and development gives the impression that children’s television is a dynamic, growth business, the harsh reality is that kids specialists are being squeezed – and the volume of shows making it into production has been dramatically reduced.
The definitive kids ent resource.Photos
Kidscreen Summit 2010 -