ATF Buyer Profile: MediaCorp’s Joy Olby-Tan

PREMIUM: Singapore’s MediaCorp acquires about 12,000 hours a year across its free-to-air platforms 5, 8, U and okto and over-the-top service Toggle, according to Joy Olby-Tan, the company’s VP of network acquisitions.

What have been some of your most successful acquisitions recently?
On the Western content front, “live” or near-live content always gives a great buzz: The X Factor USA airs day/date on both Channel 5 and Toggle. We also focus on brand-name series such as Grimm and The Walking Dead.  Blockbuster documentary Africa wowed viewers and branded animated content such as Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and My Little Pony Equestria Girls were top performers.

Korean dramas continue to be hugely popular with first-window hit Dr Jin (starring heartthrob Song Seung Hun) and long-form drama Smile Again. Chinese Dream Series 3, a China-produced talent show series, was also a first-window airing which garnered a strong following.

What are the main genres you are acquiring?
MediaCorp aims to provide the best curated mix of quality content. We acquire all key genres including movies, scripted and unscripted series, documentaries, arts content, children’s programs as well as sports content. In tandem with MediaCorp’s multiplatform rights exploitation strategy, the rights should also be all-encompassing including linear and catch-up free-to-air rights and online VOD rights.

Are you acquiring formats from the international market,  or is it mainly finished product?
The bulk of the acquisitions is on finished product. However, we will always review successful formats that can be localized effectively.

Have your programming needs changed significantly over the past year?
With the need to be in touch with our viewers “anytime, anywhere,” having new-media rights on top of free-to-air rights is now a norm. This will enable us to provide the multiplatform viewing experience to be in tune with viewing needs.

What are some of the slots you currently need to fill?
Our focus is on securing a quality mix of international content for our prime-time belts, cutting across all genres.

Are you open to co-pros?
As long as the format and commercial model is right, we are open to exploring co-production opportunities across any project that meets MediaCorp’s objectives.

Do you see any major changes in your acquisitions remit in 2014?
We will favor any content providers who can provide strong content at reasonable rates and who are flexible in the kinds of rights included.

Are there particular types of shows you're eyeing at Asia TV Forum?
Any content with day/date or short windows from original telecast will be prioritized over others that have long untenable holdbacks. Multiple platform rights are also key.