Asia Wants Formats!

July 26, 2013 World Screen Featured

 

This article originally appeared in the MIPTV 2013 issue of TV Asia Pacific.

In the last year or so, Korea has emerged as a key new buyer of formats, which is a boon to content distributors who have struggled to crack this insular market. CJ E&M, which operates 16 channels, is a major client for many format sellers. Jin H. Park, the head of format acquisitions, is on the lookout for concepts for tvN, Mnet, XTM, OnStyle and Olive, among others. Across the portfolio it has had a number of format hits, including MasterChef, The Voice, Top Gear, Got Talent and Take Me Out. When considering a property, Park notes, a track record is important. “We prefer formats that have been successful in several countries. A paper treatment is irrelevant—we will not make a final decision before viewing several complete episodes.” On what he’s on the lookout for, Park says, “we always look to acquire formats with good name value, and with content that can be considered unique, certainly original. The genre is not really the issue.”
 
In South Asia, Colors is home to some of the world’s biggest formats, including Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars and Got Talent. Manisha Sharma, the head of nonfiction and weekend content at the channel, reveals that the most important factor considered is the format’s ability to be adapted to meet the sensibilities of an Indian audience. The broadcaster also takes into account the track record of a concept’s producer and distributor. It is keen to look at scripted format concepts, as well as game-show pitches.
 
In the Philippines, ABS-CBN has Deal or No Deal, Got Talent, The X Factor, The Biggest Loser, MasterChef and Minute to Win It. Launching this year is The Voice. “The most important factor in our decision whether or not to acquire a format is the concept,” says Leng Raymundo, VP of acquisitions and distribution. “The next most important consideration is cost. We invest heavily in the production values of each format we acquire and so we cannot pay too much for the rights. We also take a look at the track record and it is also important to us to preview several episodes of the format.”
 

 

 

MediaCorp in Singapore acquires formats for its English-language Channel 5, and counted the Japanese game show Sasuke among its biggest successes last year. “The Singapore edition comprises 13 episodes of 60 minutes,” says Kim Wong-Nathan, VP of network commissioning. “It replicates portions of the Japanese obstacle course and the winner progresses to Japan to compete in TBS’s competition at Mount Midoriyama. Our adaptations include episodic themes, a celebrity segment and a special where the Singapore team [competes against] the Malaysian team.”