(Continued on Page 18) 16 The event resembled the Prague Spring of 1968, but instead of young people coming from various parts of Europe to support the Czechs against the Russians, this time there were mature TV executives from all over the world welcoming Russians and other CEE buyers. Nevertheless, there were battle scars at NATPE Europe—visible amongst those participants who converged in Prague after a very busy June that encompassed 20 other TV trade shows, including Monte Carlo TV Festival, Banff Media Festival, Promax (New York City), NEM (in Dubrovnik, see report on page 6), E3 (Los Angeles) and Licensing Expo (Las Vegas). This does not include the U.S. studio executives who traveled throughout Europe for their own spring screenings road shows. In any case, to face the former Warsaw Pact buyers, the U.S. studios and indie distributors brought their heavy artillery to Prague in the form of a high quantity of quality new content — and the response was mixed. Prague was a new venue for both the Los Angeles-based organizers and the 800 participants from 65 countries (excluding those who attended the market without registering, hanging around the non-restricted areas of the hotel). Traditionally, NATPE doesn’t release attendance figures, therefore the above numbers reflect VideoAge’s own estimates. For the past 22 years — during which time it was called DISCOP and considered a TV market for emerging territories — the event was held in Budapest. Now that most of the territories are prospering, the market has lost its “emerging” moniker and evolved into a mature TV trade event. Including all companies with stands, viewing boxes, meeting tables and suites, there were 132 exhibitors at the first NATPE Europe held in Prague. The majority of the companies were from the U.S. (25) followed by the U.K. There were three Russian exhibitors as well, which is surprising, considering that the 1968 Russian intervention to quell the nascent democracy is still felt in the Czech Republic. Indeed Prague, a city that values its rich history, has managed to completely remove every remembrance of its Russian-dominated past. As a taxi driver commented, “We have tourists from all over the world and, unfortunately, from Russia as well.” Nevertheless, at NATPE Europe there were 17 Russian buyers and, surprisingly, 15 buyers from the troubled Ukraine. VideoAge even met two buyers from Uzbekistan. So, howdidPrague compare toBudapest, where the market was held last year, also during the third week of June? “There are no differences,” reported ITV’s Can Okan. As far as costs are concerned, the two cities are a match: not much of a bargain. As for the venue, The Hilton Prague — with 760 rooms — is huge compared to the Sofitel in Budapest. One could even say that, more than a hotel, The Hilton Prague resembles a cruise ship. Plus, as Global Screen’s Helge Koehnen commented, while the Sofitel was conveniently located near every amenity, The Hilton is in a relatively isolated area of Prague with poor pedestrian paths to boot. Finally, at $26 per day, the Wi-Fi service for all areas (including the market space) and rooms (except for the lobby, where it’s free), was considered too expensive and generated some grumbling among participants. As for the layout, The Hilton has the same arrangement as the Sofitel, with a big atrium and suites overlooking the indoor space, while stands, tables and viewing boxes were located in the basement or “Market Level,” which is also accessible from the street. However, the new setup looked more like a convention center than the previous venue, with the first floor housing 40 suites and the eighth floor with six more. Even the party area was an improvement, with a nightclub-type lounge called Cloud 9 on the ninth (top) floor of the hotel. The opening night party was held at Cloud 9, while, on Wednesday, June 25, the closing party took place in the large floor space of the Atrium. Also on Wednesday, a luncheon was held at Cloud 9 to “Celebrate Polish TV Programming.” A prior conference was held on the lobby level and was preceded by a “light breakfast.” As for the opening party, never before was a NATPE Europe party sowell donewith drinks and hors d’oeuvres, a good sign that the organizers are really investing in the success of the market and the venue. In fact, NATPE’s CEO Rod Perth stated that the market will once again be held in Comparison With Budapest Unavoidable. New Venue: Four Stars, Biz: Three October 2014 NATPE Europe Report NATPE’s Rod Perth at the Polish TV luncheon, introducing Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland ITV’s Ahmet Ziyalar, Can Okan CBSSI’s Michelle Payne, Julie Aletti de Gely, Myfanwy New, Noelia Nicolás, Ben Lassman
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