Reed Exhibitions: $88.7 Million in Deals Generated at ATF

SINGAPORE: The tenth edition of the Asia TV Forum (ATF) in Singapore earlier this month generated $88.7 million in programming sales, according to organizer Reed Exhibitions, a 20-percent gain on last year’s market.

Highlights of the three-day event included a co-production agreement between Singapore’s Oak3 Films, MediaLab and the History Channel from the U.K. and China Intercontinental Communication Centre (CICC) for the series Monumental Challenge; a deal between MyChinaChannel and Shanghai Media Group’s distribution arm, Wings Media, for two infotainment television series; and the announcement of a $55 million creative industry fund by the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS).

Overall participation at the ATF was up by 8 percent. Out of 358 selling companies, 139 were new. Buyer participation was up by 5 percent, with 62 new companies out of 312.

“We are delighted that the market closed on an optimistic note this year," said Reed Exhibitions’ general manager, Michelle Lim. "With the purchasing momentum and the overall economic outlook gearing back on track, we expect 2010 to be an even better year for the market. In fact, 91 percent of the sellers have indicated their interest to participate in ATF 2010, while 94 percent of the buyers have indicated their intention to return next year."