This week: two video snapshots of cofinancing trends after our lively panel at MIPDoc.
Off The Fence Managing Director Distribution Bo Stehmeier (above) explains why there is a trend towards presales and away from copro’s.
Context
- The further context to this structural shift is that the cab/sat channel sector has reached maturity and is tending to shed viewers rather than gain them.
- An aging audience is losing its sizzle with youth-seeking advertisers.
- Overhead at networks is under scrutiny, particularly across headcount, and for positions like Legal/Business Affairs that are not revenue-generators.
- The pressure on Development and LBA teams is intensified by the complexity of Scripted specials.
- Another key factor is that the major channels are global brands. Their mandate is to own content outright so that it can be freely distributed across their platforms and territories.
- For example, at MIPDoc, Tim Pastore, Nat Geo Channels US president for original programming & production emphasized that his mandate is to own rather than coproduce. NGC has been more open to copro’s than other major global network brands like A+E and Discovery.
https://youtu.be/BpBG_amh9LQ
And WildBear Entertainment CEO Michael Tear describes how Australian funding schemes and licenses serve as a base for international co-financing.
- WildBear’s experience is a reminder that networks spend billions on new factual production each year.
- Producers get attention when they come to the table with financial solutions and appealing programs.
More Reading / Video
- How Much? The ‘Rule of Thumb’ for Co-pro’s, Acquisitions and Pre-sales by Off the Fence’s Bo Stehmeier. A MIPDoc 2014 Highlight
- Australian Co-pro: Dino Stampede – An ABC Commission Triggers a Cascade of Tax Benefits and International Licenses. A Case Study
Killing Jesus was heavily promoted at MIPTV 2015.