Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution. “They want shows with greater repeatability,” she explained. “More than anything, broadcasters want shows that can stick to the U.S. schedule for 13 episodes. It’s becoming more difficult to justify spending the money on shows when everything’s become chop-chop.” Edwards is referring to the fact that many international broadcasters got burned last year after investing in expensive, highly serialized series that never got off the ground in the U.S. Keith LeGoy, evp of Distribution at Sony Pictures Television International recognized that this is, unfortunately, “an element of the business we’re in, which is by nature risky.” But, he said, “international buyers have become much more aware of how a show will be launched, marketed and scheduled in the U.S. to best understand its chances for long-term success. Obviously, international broadcasters could decide to wait until the end of the U.S. TV season to better know the winners and losers at that point, but the competition for the winners will be so much fiercer,” he said. Edwards added: “Unless the U.S. networks schedule, promote and stand behind a series it won’t have longevity internationally.” Edwards pointed specifically to Fox’s Journeyman (which has been sold to Sky in the U.K.) — about a man who can travel back in time — as an example of how a network’s scheduling can help boost a new series. NBC gave the series a Heroes lead-in, “which is a great thing,” she said, thanks to the popularity of Heroes and the likelihood that someone will stay tuned in afterwards. As for the Screenings, Edwards was pleasantly surprised by the interest international broadcasters showed inKVille, a series that takes place in postHurricane Katrina New Orleans (the series was sold to Channel Five in the U.K.). “We thought it might be difficult to attract international interest, but it’s gotten their attention, probably in part because New Orleans is such a legendary city.” As far as the Latin territories were concerned, Disney-ABC International Television’s Fernando Barbosa said: “All of the series got great attention. “But,” he predicted, “The most popular will probably be Dirty Sexy Money— it is a fresh and sexy drama, reminiscent of Dallas and Dynasty, that uses razorsharp satire to illustrate how scads of money can create a great family… and demolish it. Also, it has a storyline that bears a certain resemblance to the telenovela plotlines.” For Sony, the must-have series at the Screenings was Glenn Close-starring Damages, which successfully premiered on cabler FX over the summer. “We have great hopes for Damages internationally,” said LeGoy. “ The list of broadcasters who have acquired the show reads like a ‘who’s who’ of top tier networks,” he said. As far as other series he expects to see gobbled up by international broadcasters, LeGoy pointed toViva Laughlin, which is “so different and distinctive that it creates a different ray of sunshine on a broadcaster’s schedule. Cashmere Mafia has a cast list and an energy that international broadcasters, advertisers and audiences love; Julianna Margulies’ return to a major network TV series is massively anticipated.” When asked whether he fears that Mafia — which is helmed by Sex and the City’s Darren Star, and revolves around a group of successful NYC women — is too similar to NBC Universal’s Lipstick Jungle, which is also about successful women and co-created by Star’s Sex and the City cohort Candace Bushnell, LeGoy was unabashed. “ER and House are both medical dramas; CSI and Law & Order are both cop shows. You can have multiple shows in the same overall genre. The key question is ‘are they good?’ Fortunately with Cashmere Mafia we have an amazing show. Plus it’s on the network in the U.S. [ABC] that has been the place to launch successful womenoriented shows — from Desperate Housewives toGrey’s Anatomy.” He added, “the level of quality that a show needs in order to succeed is staggering.” Like Sony, CBS Paramount International Television is also banking on the power of celebrity for two of its OC T O B E R 2 0 0 7 (Continued from Cover) High Hopes for New Series Bavaria Media Television is a corporate member of german united distributors Programmvertrieb GmbH. www.bavaria-media.tv MIPCOM HIGHLIGHTS FROM BAVARIA MEDIA TELEVISION MEET US AT MIPCOM STAND 19.16 / 21.13 BAVARIA'S BEST SHOWREEL PRESENTATION MON. OCT. 8, 5:00 PM AUDITORIUM K CHILDREN - SERIES - 13 X 25' TV MOVIE - 110' MINISERIES - 2 X 90' (Continued on Page 44) CBS Paramount’s Barry Chamberlain, Armando Nunez, Jr., Stephanie Pacheco with Cane’s Jimmy Smits at the L.A. Screenings NBC Universal’s Belinda Menendez at her company’s L.A. Screenings luncheon
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