VideoAge International June/July 2018

14 June/July 2018 V I D E O A G E (Continued from Cover) As a political tool, TV networks in CEE-CIS- Balkan countries also reflect the local realpolitik, and all of this will be discussed, analyzed, and reviewed at NATPE Budapest. Despite all this drama, business deals will still be made at the trade show. Indeed, TV outlets — be them FTA, cable, satellite, OTT or any of the VoD varieties (SVoD, AVoD, TVoD, etc.) — need a lot of content, and NATPE Budapest will meet their needs. TV consultant Kris Wiktorczyk from Warsaw reported that, “Polish TV networks are buying a lot of foreign programs. Actually, too much,” he stressed. AtNATPEBudapest,morethan250participating companies, of which 150 are exhibiting content distributors, will be competing for the attention (and wallets) of some 500 buyers. “There will be a 10 percent overall increase of participants,” reported NATPE CEO JP Bommel. He also noted that, this year, the TV market has expanded its reach to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and for this reason, the market will now officially be called NATPE Budapest International, or NBI. With 1,500 expected participants, NBI is not a large event, but it is considered an effective showcase, considering that a good number of CEE-CIS-Balkan and MENA buyers didn’t go to MIP-TV in April or to the L.A. Screenings, which took place last month. The most unique aspect of NBI is its attraction to TV buyers who are difficult to pinpoint on a map. This is because, as indicated on the other front-cover story in this Issue, Eastern Europe has moved further east, and countries in the former Soviet Union (or CIS) are now in the CEE zone, which also includes Balkan countries, like Greece and European Turkey. In terms of TV territories, CEE can include up to 17 countries, but nine of these countries overlap with the 11 Balkan countries. In the CIS territory — which comprises nine countries — Moldova and Belarus could also be placed in the CEE zone, together with Ukraine, which, due to its conflict with Russia, left the CIS group. (Georgia left too.) In any case, for practical purposes, the CEE- CIS-Balkan territories are said to comprise a total of 31 countries. Now, 22 new MENA territories will be added to these. As usual, the four-day market — which starts on June 25 and is held at the now traditional InterContinental hotel, which overlooks the Danube River — will be composed of four elements: The market itself, the U.S. studio screenings, the conferences (including the pitching session) and the parties. The trade show is also adding another new element, which is represented by international channels, where aggregators and platforms would go to shop for channels to distribute in multi-cultural countries, such as Canada and the U.S. According to Bommel, the market has tra- ditionally “had low rates of no-shows,” meaning that buyers actually show up at their scheduled meetings with exhibitors. A particular source of pride for Bommel is the return of the “Pitch & Play Live” competition, which will take place on day four of the event (Thursday). During the contest, pitches for un- scripted local projects will be heard and a winner will be selected by a jury. Also returning will be the studio screenings, which will start with CBS’ at the Puskin Mozi theater on June 26. The other studios will follow at locations scattered about town. Balkan Market Expands A well-attended seminar JP Bommel (third from left ) at last year’s buyers welcome party The exhibition floor at the InterContinental Budapest hotel Despite all this drama, business deals will still be made at the trade show. Indeed, TV outlets — be them FTA, cable, satellite, OTT or any of the VoD varieties (SVoD, AVoD, TVoD, etc.) — need a lot of content, and NATPE Budapest will meet their needs.