VideoAge International November 2018

14 November 2018 Timeless Drama Channel globally the second highest exporter of TV series internationally, after the U.S.” To further drive the concept home, the logo chosen for TDC is the color turquoise because the greenish-bluish hue is the national color of Turkey, where the over 400 hours a year of premium Turkish drama series and movies will be coming from. The channel is aimed at women 20-plus years old, and each series will average 40 episodes, with content coming from Turkish producers such as Ay Yapim. But, added Uziyel, “While Ay Yapim is definitely a major supplier for TDC content, we are currently finalizing a number of acquisition deals with other key studios and distributors.” Uziyel went on to say that while “the channel’s original language is naturally Turkish… there are four subtitle options: Turkish, English, Arabic, and Spanish, with more languages to be added soon.” Uziyel further explained the new channel’s technical and business characteristics: “TDC will be broadcast by a U.K.-based company and its programming team is also in the U.K. However, the channel’s uplink will be in France.” SPI also maintains an office in Paris. By the end of this year, TDC is expected to launch in 10 countries with three feeds: Europe, MENA/APAC, and U.S./LATAM as a premium pay channel, meaning it’ll be free of commercials. The “all screen” channel will be available as both a linear service and a streaming service. “TDC will broadcast in HD and is now available for distribution in DTH platforms, cable networks, mobile, and Smart TV, as well as OTT services around the world,” said SPI in a press release. The broadcast day will be divided into six blocks. Of those, four blocks will be repeated in a 24-hour period, with five new series premiering each week. “TDC features some of the greatest new dramas released in Turkey along with record rating television series, which have been widely popular among audiences in Europe and Asia,” said Uziyel, pointing out that, “the productions presented on TDC star some of the most famous Turkish television talent who have also been enjoying a strong following abroad.” TDC is a product of SPI, a group founded in New York City in 1990 by Turkish-born Loni Farhi, as a content company selling movies for video release in Turkey. Eight years later, SPI began releasing theatrical movies in Poland, and in 2003 started launching TV channels. Today, SPI operates 35 channels, of which 12 have worldwide distribution. (Continued from Cover) A scene from Kurt Seyit & Shura (Continued on Page 16) I stanbul-based Calinos Entertainment travels to MIP Cancun with a slate topped by three Turkish series. Forbidden Fruit is a drama about two sisters, Yildiz and Zeynep, who are very close but have very different personalities and life goals. When Zeynep begins working at Halit’s partner’s firm, Halit’s wife Ender recruits Yildiz in her plot to divorce Halit. In the romantic drama Our Story (pictured), Filiz has no time for love because she must take care of her five younger siblings after being abandoned by their mother. The family lives in a poor part of town and has to deal with an alcholic father. However, Filiz’s outlook changes when she meets Baris. Woman focuses on the survival story of young mother Bahar, but also tells the stories of several other women in the process. In mourning for her beloved husband, Bahar’s estranged mother and sisters reenter her life and bring unexpected events. www.calinosentertainment.com H eadquartered in Rome, aMondo TV brings a roster of live-action and animation titles to DISCOP, starting with Heidi, Bienvenida a Casa . The series focuses on Heidi’s new life in an urban city where she meets loveable and whacky new characters. In spin-off series Heidi Bienvenida al Show (pictured), Heidi returns to metropolitan living ready to experience new places and music. When a fox named Kit arrives into Carrot Town and starts inventing all sorts of gadgets for the residents, mayor Silas Hopner grows irritated by the outsider in Invention Story. Seasons one and two of Robot Trains follow five train heroes that transform into robots. In the second season, Rail Watch heroes protect the balance of the four natural energies in Rail World. With her magic bracelet and rebellious spirit, Sissi The Young Empress helps people and animals achieve harmony on the Schönbrunn Palace grounds. DISCOP Johannesburg Stand 101 www.mondotvgroup.com L ondon-based All3media International is introducing conspiracy thriller White Dragon (aka Strangers) about university lecturer Jonah Mulray, who travels to Hong Kong to identify the body of his dead wife (pictured). Once there, he discovers his wife’s double life. Psychological thriller Cheat depicts the relationship between university professor Leah and her student Rose that spirals out of control. What began as a small risk case of academic deception devolves into a devastating series of events with fatal consequences. Iranian-American filmmaker Desiree Akhavan co-writes, directs, and stars in six-part series The Bisexual . The dramedy is a funny and unapologetic take on the differences between dating men and women. In each episode of Flirty Dancing , two singletons are taught a dance, which they then perform at their first meeting. Will the new couple’s first dance spark a beautiful romance? In When I Grow Up , adult workplaces are turned upside down. A group of kids are given free reign in running a chocolate company, a high-end estate firm, and a celebrity magazine. DISCOP Johannesburg Viewing Booth 4 www.all3mediainternational.com Global TV Fare in Cancun & Joburg Heidi Charms Mondo TV All3media Soars with a Dragon Calinos Finds Love in Our Story