Manuela Caputi

International Sales Manager, Mediaset Distribution

Have you seen signs of recovery in Central and Eastern Europe?
I have definitely seen signs of recovery regarding our sales.

Have you noticed your business in the region strengthen due to an increase in channels?
I wouldn’t say that it strengthen due to an increase of channels, but more due to a new interest shown by the main channels for our products and I would say for the launching of our format distribution arm. The possibility to explore the adaptation of some of our fiction series enabled Mediaset to establish new relationships with its clients in these markets.

How has your business been overall in Central and Eastern Europe (and what territories have been strong in particular)?
We have been maintaining a stable relationship with some channels with which we have been having a long lasting communication, and in other cases we noticed an increase of interest in our productions, particularly in Czech Republic and Poland, either for finished product or for format adaptation.

What genres have been the strongest performers from your catalogue in the region?

Surely action, crime and investigation. There is less space for sentimental drama these days.

What are some of the titles you’re highlighting for DISCOP and why do you think these will be particularly appealing for the buyers?

We are launching new seasons of successful series like “Police District” (season 9: 26 x 50’), “A matter of respect” (season 2: 12 x 50’), “My daughters” (season 3: 16 x 50’) and we believe that the channels that showed interest in these series can now benefit from more episodes. As per the new releases, we can count on tv movies titles like “In the eyes of the assassin”, “The Deli”.

Is there anything else that you can share about your plans in the region and/or focus for DISCOP?

Of course our main focus is to maintain strong relationships with the channels, being flexible and understanding of the difficulties that some time some channels pass through, but nevertheless not diminishing the value of our programming. We both, the channels and us, are here to last and to overcome together the ups and down of the market, in the full respect of each others.