Deutsche Welle/DW-TRANSTEL

November 20, 2009 World Screen

Angelika Newel
Head of Distribution, Asia

How has your business been in Asia/what are your top markets in the region? Has that business increased or decreased over the past year?
With the launch of the new Deutsche Welle channel DW-TV ASIA+, we have really seen an increase in viewers as well as overall recognition. Our top markets around the region include India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
 
 
Have you noticed any buying/programming trends going on in the region?
We have noticed an increase in the demand for programming explaining the global crisis, energy shortage and ways to overcome the crisis and three of our new programs do just that. “Profit At All Cost” illustrates what globalization means – an increase in the volume and frequency of the exchange of people, goods, capital and ideas. “Foresight” looks at creativity in research and science and the positive and negative aspects of trying to anticipate the future. “GLOBAL.ized” sheds light on how local events can reverberate across the globe – and how global trends affect people’s lives.
 
What genre(s) sells best for you in Asia?
Traditionally, our best-selling program has been “euromaxx”, which covers topics like architecture, design, fashion, gourmet food, trendy sports and music. Magazines in the areas of nature and the environment, science and technology are also quite popular.
 
What are the properties you are looking to highlight for ATF?
We have some great new programming in the area of science, technology and medicine. We are offering a brand new series called “Feel Fine”, which covers wellness, beauty, nutrition and health and another called “Any Time at All” which looks at everything dealing with time itself. We will also be offering the new third season of the popular show “Totally Phenomenal”, which shows viewers the exciting phenomena that exist in everyday life.
 
For those interested in the environment, we will also be showcasing “Guardians of Nature”. It’s a series that follows people who are dedicated to preserving our planet’s biodiversity for the future. And “Food for Everyone – A Losing Battle” looks at hunger and the global agricultural crisis involving food production and flawed distribution.
 
For sports fans, we will be offering a new series that looks behind the scenes of the soccer world. “Soccer Stories” highlights everything about the sport – from the recreational aspects to its role as a professional pastime.
 
What is it about these programs that would appeal to the Asian market?
The Asian market is evolving daily. More and more people are connected to the Western world through their work, personal relationships and interests. With this connection there is also an increasing demand for platforms that offer different perspectives, ideas, trends and developments from around the globe. These new programs offer viewers a range of current global issues and interesting topics from a European perspective – something that we think will be a real hit among audiences around the region.  
 
What are your overall expectations for ATF?
We are looking to reach out to new partners – especially in the areas of new media and online platforms. We expect to see real growth in the next year in the area of IPTV – especially in markets like Indonesia, South Korea and China.