(Continued from Page 12) extra long presentations. In addition to the announced series, studios also kept adding last-minute new shows to their line-up, making the screenings longer than expected, and, at times, causing late arrivals at other studios’ screenings. It was also noted that some studios went back to the old practice of separating buying groups from the same country and using more screening rooms. The large number of parties also brought back fond memories of an industry getting back on its feet. On the indie side, Venevision opened the Latin Screenings with a big party, while Telefe closed them with another large bash a few days later. Just after Telefilms staged its own 50-year celebration show, the studios began their evening extravaganzas with Disney, followed by Sony and Fox each hosting some 1,000-plus invitees. Others, such as Lionsgate, CBS and NBC Universal went with restricted dinners and cocktails. The overall buyers’ assessment of the new U.S. TV season is that the nets hope to make women laugh with sitcoms, men tune in with sexy shows and to lure older viewers that are now back in the advertisers’ graces, with remakes. The mix was eclectic: retro shows such as Pan AmandThe Playboy Club; mysteries like Missing andAlcatraz; political dramas, Boss and Veep (for cable); law and order, The 2-2 and Person of Interest; remakes like Charlie’s Angels and Prime Suspects; animation and spin-offs, but very few medical shows. The largest selection is definitely the supernatural genre with some 10 new series, including two from Steven Spielberg (Terra Nova and The River). In terms of specific preferences, Canadians such as Jay Switzer liked NBC Universal’s drama Smash, Warner Bros.’ Person of Interest, and Disney’s Revenge. From Latin America, for buyers such as Ecuavisa’s Karina Medina, top shows were NBC-Universal’s Grimm and Warner Bros.’ The Secret Circle. CBS Studios’ Barry Chamberlain, Armando Nuñez, Joe Lucas TV Azteca’s Carmen Pizano, Comarex’s Marcel Vinay Disney’s Ben Pyne, Anne Sweeney From Europe, the Italians did not wish to comment for fear of price increases. Studio executives were very upbeat and charged up by the new season, but, as summarized by a studio president, “Yes, we’re very happy, but we’re also very aware that up to 80 percent of the new series will fail.” V I D E O • A G E JU N E 2 0 11 14 NAIROBI 7-9 SEPTEMBER 2011 NAIROBI KENYA MAIN REASONSTO MARKYOURAGENDA FOR DISCOP IN 2011-2012 Regions covered by DISCOP markets will grow faster than any other Marketplaces in the world. DISCOP markets are centered on meetings organised online and in advance The vast majority of DISCOP buyers never attend any other market DISCOP buyers' database and company profiles are updated 24/7 4 events production&management 28 FEBRUARY - 1 MARCH 2012 1 DISCOP ad FOR VIDEO AGE FINAL 3.17.11.indd 1 3/17/11 11:12 AM
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