L.A. Screenings Buyer Feedback: Network Ten’s Monica Forlano

SYDNEY: Monica Forlano, the head of program scheduling at Australia’s Network Ten, agrees with the general consensus at the L.A. Screenings that the Hollywood studios “remain the experts in making quality content.”

Like other programming executives who viewed pilots of the new shows that will be premiering on U.S. networks next season, Forlano was impressed with the quality of the pilots and also found interesting “the remakes of successful overseas scripted dramas or reboots of series.”

Of all the pilots screened, Forlano felt “the most buzz was around Robin Williams’ return to TV with The Crazy Ones, which showcases his comic timing and zaniness. And also the return of Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in a shortened mid-season run of 24.” (Both shows are distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.)

Network Ten has output deals with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and CBS Studios International. Of the Fox product, Forlano says her favorites are Friends with Better Lives and Crisis. “I think the hostage situation played out on Crisis is multilayered and can run for a while. From CBS the Stephen King adaptation Under the Dome and the sitcom The Millers were the highlights for me. The Millers reminded me of Everybody Loves Raymond, which, if it continues to deliver as it did in the pilot, could run and run.”

Forlano says the output deals in place will provide enough programming to fill her scheduling needs and she will not be acquiring from other studios.

“Network Ten is always on the lookout for the next big format or scripted idea to make up the schedule,” she says. “We aren’t looking to fill any particular slot with any particular genre. We are interested in bringing event TV and un-missable reality, comedy or drama to our core audience.”

Like other TV markets, audience fragmentation is the main issue in Australia, explains Forlano. “Therefore the supply of event TV for any network is paramount to ensure consistent ratings.” The introduction of limited series this year by the studios will not pose a scheduling problem for Network Ten. “Short-run drama series is an interesting trend coming out from the L.A. Screenings and would work well in this market.”