Event Preview: Asia Television Forum

December 2-4
Suntec, Singapore

The Asia TV Forum is celebrating its tenth edition in Singapore this year. The market first took place in 2000, in the wake of MIPAsia’s last edition in Hong Kong in 1999, providing a venue for distributors from around the world to sell their offerings to broadcasters who had finally recovered from the region’s economic crisis of 1997. The Reed Exhibitions-organized event has steadily grown since its inception, moving from a smaller hotel format to a full-scale market at the Suntec exhibition center in Singapore.

"With strong support from the industry, ATF has evolved and reinforced its position as the leading content market in Asia," says Hui Leng Yeow, ATF’s director. "The market has strengthened steadily and is now well-positioned as a proven platform that brings Asian buyers to international sellers. ATF plays an important role as a niche extension after MIPCOM, and is the best gateway to connect with Asia’s growing content industry. With Asia rising, so will the importance of participation at ATF. It is now a must-attend market for the content industry."

Yeow says that attendees should expect a "more lively market this year." She points to "renewed seller participation" from a range of countries, including France, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan, as well as a first-time contingent from Italy.

A variety of buyers from across the region will be on site, among them representatives from ATV, TVB and PCCW from Hong Kong; Hanaro-Broadband, KBS and Korea Telecom from Korea; Metropolitan TV and ntv7 from Malaysia; Cambodia’s MyTV; Thai Public Broadcasting Services; India’s Viacom18; Taiwan’s Yoyo TV and Singapore-based pan-regionals Universal Networks International and SPE Networks Asia, as well as StarHub, MediaCorp and SingTel.

Alongside the market is a conference lineup led by a formats keynote from FremantleMedia’s president of worldwide entertainment, Rob Clark. The formats focus will also include panelists from 2waytraffic, Armoza Formats, Endemol and BBC Worldwide Asia, among others.

"In addition, the Motion Picture Association and the Singapore Media Academy will be addressing issues related to the distribution of content on cross platforms," Yeow adds.

Another highlight, Yeow says, is the buyer-rewards program, "Are You Game?," which was first introduced last year. "With both buyers and sellers already familiar with the program, we expect even greater participation and motivation towards achieving more meetings during the market."