FremantleMedia Enterprises

September 24, 2009 World Screen
David Ellender
Global CEO
 
 

What are some of your top properties for MIPCOM?

 

We have a number of new and returning programmes that form the backbone of our slate for MIPCOM 2009. The list below is a sampling of what we believe is one of the savviest slates we’ve ever delivered. We’ve made sure to have the right balance of exciting new titles and returning series and franchises that broadcasters can feel confident in.
 
The MTV hit Is She Really Going Out With Him? is the hilarious and compelling reality show that aims to tear down the mystery behind pop culture’s latest inexplicable phenomenon: beautiful and innocent young sweethearts who fall for self-absorbed, overly-tanned, tattoo-covered losers. Inspired by the popular website Hot Chicks with Douchebags, Is She Really Going Out With Him? closely examines couples as the hot chick eventually leads herself towards making a fateful decision… Will she stay with her arrogant, immature, negligent boyfriend or move on to a better man?
 
Project Runway series 6: It is all change for this Emmy nominated series as it returns for its hotly anticipated sixth season. Fashion’s fiercest competition series has relocated from New York to LA, injecting a boost of new energy and access to Hollywood’s hottest celebrities. An exceptional line-up of celebrity guests are scheduled to appear as guest judges, including Christina Aguilera, Desperate Housewives’ Eva Longoria, Ugly Betty star Rebecca Romijn and Lindsay Lohan. Appropriate to the LA location, these judges will review the contestants’ creations for challenges centred on the red carpet, the beach and old-school Hollywood glamour.
 
Models of the Runway:A brand new fashion creation designed to accompany each instalment of Project Runway Series 6. Focusing on the models who flaunt the designers’ creations, each episode explores the dramas featured in Project Runway from the perspective of the ladies who parade the designs on the catwalk.
 
Jesse James takes on the role of a modern-day daredevil in Jesse James is a Dead Man. Each episode follows James as he readies himself for a different death-defying stunt. Preparing for the risky stunt can often be as dangerous as the stunt itself as he endures a battery of tests to prep for the challenge. With CGI effects, viewers get a taste of the enormity of the stunt, revealing the physiological stress James’s body will endure. Some of the dangerous challenges he’ll be facing include the harrowing, gruelling and lawless off-road race the Baja 500 and hitting over 200 mph on a Nitro bike supercharged by ultra-combustible nitrous oxide. James is world renowned for his West Coast Choppers bike shop in Southern California and his former worldwide hit series Monster Garage.
 
We have three new Jamie Oliver titles this year including Jamie’s American Road Trip (6 x 1 hour), Jamie Does…(6 x 1 hour) and Jamie’s Xmas (5 x 30 mins). All three are exciting new takes on what Jamie Oliver programmes have always done – inspire, entertain and educate. Broadcasters can take comfort in the fact that Jamie is a well-known, much-loved personality.
 
Jamie’s American Road Trip sees the UK chef on the adventure of a lifetime and ultimate road trip – travelling around the USA on a journey of discovery into parts of that vast country that few visitors ever see.
 
Jamie Does…is a tasty new food series in which Jamie visits six countries that he has never been to before, to uncover their vast culinary differences and inspire fresh new recipes in each show.
 
In Jamie’s Xmas, Jamie offers fresh inspiration for the traditional Christmas dinner, showing how to make the most of your festive food.
 
Our new Berman Braun titles include Shark U and Swords: Life on the Line, both reminiscent of returning successful series such as America’s Toughest Jobs which we also represent.
 
Shark U: Fifty miles off the coast of Florida, the shark attack capital of the world, most of the locals look upon sharks as monsters…the death fish. Sharks are vital animals in the largest ecosystem on the planet, yet 100 million are hunted and killed each year out of fear. This fascinating series follows 70-year-old Dr. Samuel H. Gruber as he passes on his lifetime of learning about these mysterious creatures to an elite group of shark researchers. At a research centre in the Bahamas they work against the odds at demystifying the beast. The researchers are underfunded, under equipped and must battle years of ignorance as well as risk their lives to save the shark.
 
Swords: Life on the Line: North America’s Atlantic coast is an unforgiving environment where forty-five foot vessels contend with fifty-foot waves and volatile summer hurricanes in pursuit of highly prized migratory swordfish. For the fishermen of New England and Canada, braving these waters is a tradition that has been in their families for generations. Over the course of eight episodes, this series follows four boats and their captains, risking their lives to put fish on our tables; including sword fishing legend Linda Greenlaw, Perfect Storm survivor, who is returning to the sea after a ten year hiatus.
 
 

Why will these programmes appeal to buyers?

 

For a number of reasons but mainly because broadcasters can acquire them with confidence. The Project Runway companion programme Models of the Runway, for instance, delivers a new show but benefits from the global success enjoyed by Project Runway. Series six has just launched in the US and achieved massive ratings—it became the highest rated reality series premiere on U.S. cable this year. There will be existing fans who will tune in.
 
We also have a new offering from Jamie Oliver, who is a proven talent that broadcasters can also count on as he already has a following around the globe.
 
 
Lastly, our previous BermanBraun titles with legendary “blue collar heroism” producer Thom Beers involved have been phenomenally received internationally which makes us even more excited to bring a new raft of their titles to the market.
 
 

What are some of the trends you’re currently seeing in this market?

 

Obviously broadcasters are more tentative than they’ve been in the past. The advertising downturn has had a real impact on the broadcast industry so we’ve had to be smarter in our offering. Not only are we introducing exciting new programming but also we have a fantastic slate of returning series and franchises with proven appeal to lessen the risk for our clients. Ours is a business of brands and we understand that regardless of genre, brands need to be properly managed after they’re created to ensure longevity and appeal. That is why franchises like Jamie Oliver and Martha Stewart have remained so popular for so many years.
 
Fragmentation is also something we need to be aware of and adapting to. Consumers are not just looking at the television screen for content so we’re launching our Atomic Wedgie content at MIPCOM this year. This comprises short-form comedy clips that are adaptable and useable on TV or online.
 
 

What are your goals and expectations MIPCOM?

 

We’re confident in our slate and about the market. Obviously, we’re not out of these tough times but we’ve designed our offering to cope with these challenges and we’re optimistic.