PREMIUM: As Germany’s ZDF, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Thomas Bellut, the director-general, shares his views on what it means to be a public broadcaster in today’s multichannel and digital world. TV EUROPE: ZDF celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Over the years, in what unique …
World Screen
Revenue Flat at TF1
February 20, 2013
PARIS: Consolidated revenue at the TF1 group was unchanged year-on-year at 2.6 billion euros ($3.5 billion), though channel advertising was 6.7-percent lower than in 2011, at 1.4 billion euros ($1.87 billion). Revenue from other activities was up 9.2 percent, contributing 1.2 billion euros. Current operating profit was 258 million euros …
Gordon Brown to Moderate Session at MIPTV
February 20, 2013
PARIS: As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of MIPTV, the United Nations is taking part in a Global Education First Initiative at the market, with a session in the Grand Auditorium that will be moderated by former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Brown, who is also the …
Sky Sports News HD Joins Viasat Platforms
February 21, 2013
STOCKHOLM: Modern Times Group (MTG) has penned a multi-year deal with BSkyB to bring the Sky Sports News HD channel to the Viasat satellite platforms in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The group will include the channel in its Nordic offerings on an exclusive basis starting at the end of …
DISCOP West Asia Spotlight: Russia Television and Radio
February 22, 2013
ISTANBUL: The costume melodrama Secrets of the Institute for Noble Maidens is the big launch for SOVTELEEXPORT, the distribution company of Russia Television and Radio. In the story, the year is 1880 and the Russian Empire is being shaken to its core by terrorism. Revolutionaries plant bombs everywhere, including the …
DISCOP West Asia Spotlight: Eccho Rights
February 22, 2013
ISTANBUL: The main drama launch for Eccho Rights at DISCOP West Asia is Karadayi, produced by Ay Yapim. The ratings for the first season of 85 episodes have been “fantastic and very stable,” says Fredrik af Malmborg, the managing director at Eccho Rights. “We have already closed most deals in …
ITVS GE’s Maria Kyriacou Discusses Broad Slate
February 25, 2013
NEW YORK: Maria Kyriacou, the managing director of ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE), talks to World Screen about the staying power of beloved crime franchises, the appeal of hit factual formats, and new opportunities offered by digital platforms. WS: Many of ITV Studios’ shows not only satisfy the British …
BT Buys ESPN’s U.K. & Ireland TV Channels
February 25, 2013
LONDON: The BT Group is acquiring ESPN’s channels business in the U.K. and Ireland, including the ESPN and ESPN America networks and the live sports rights portfolio. After the deal closes, expected to be done by July 31, BT will operate at least one ESPN-branded channel, expected to form part of …
Higher Revenue, Lower Profit at RTL Group
February 25, 2013
LUXEMBOURG: The RTL Group posted record revenue of 6 billion euros ($7.96 billion) for 2012, a 4-percent gain, while profit for the year was down 14 percent. The group attributed its revenue gain to higher contributions from the Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland operations and also to the strong performance at FremantleMedia. …
DISCOP West Asia Spotlight: ATV
February 25, 2013
ISTANBUL: A large part of what has made DISCOP in Istanbul popular is Turkish content, and ATV has a wealth of this to offer for buyers attending the market. For broadcasters interested in Turkish content, the series Peace Street could be just what they’re looking for. “Peace Street lets us …