18 October 2014 NATPE Europe Report Prague next year. Tuesdaywas abigday forU.S. studio screenings. CBS kicked off the day with theirs at the nearby theater, Atlas Cinema, at 8 a.m., attracting about 50 buyers. Fox followed at 11 a.m. using two meeting rooms at the Hilton and reporting about 35 buyers. NBCUniversal’s screenings started at 1 p.m. in two hotel meeting rooms. At Lionsgate’s screenings in the hotel the next morning there were about 25 buyers. Wednesday was also the day when the indies got a lot of attention. In the late morning the market floor — where the stands, viewing boxes and tables were located — seemed much busier than the first floor, where the suites were, though it is possible that meetings took place inside the suites, accounting for the light floor traffic. As for business, Carsey-Werner’s Alexandra Taylor commented that the Czech Republic has a more “vibrant TV market than Hungary,” which makes NATPE Europe in Prague a better locale than Budapest. Studio Hamburg’s Christiane Wittich said that she came to evaluate whether they will be participating as exhibitors next year, but assured VideoAge that the company would attend in some form. Starz’s Meggan Kimberley prized the large presence of Polish buyers, who were sorely missed in Budapest. Similarly, DreamWorks’ Isabel Pascual commended the participation of major CEE territories like Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Russia. Armoza’s Anat Lewinsky reported that CEE countries are in need of formats, which meant her schedule was “fully booked.” For India’s Zee TV, NATPE Europe was their first CEE market and Sunita Uchil was “testing the waters” for continued future participation. Certainly, the political, economic and social instability in the Ukraine and Russia were on the minds of some buyers and sellers, considering that it was starting to affect the TV advertising market in both countries, but overall this first NATPE Europe could be considered a glass half full. A final note: At restaurants in Prague, it’s more sensible to ask for the “bill,” not the “check.” We’ll know for next time. (Continued from Page 16) Scene at the opening night party at Cloud 9 Meeting tables in the market level Elevator area on the first floor of the exhibitor suites Viewing boxes in the market area Lionsgate’s Holly Cowdery and Kevin Brader Studio Hamburg’s Christiane Wittich, Christine Klinker Now that most of the territories are prospering, the market has lost its “emerging” moniker and evolved into a mature TV trade event.
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