 |
| BBC Worldwide Distribution Expands Business in Latin America |
| Gareth Williams, content and production SVP for Latin America at BBC Worldwide, spoke to ttv about the trends he sees in the region and his company's expansion strategy. |
| - |
|
|
|
|
BBC Worldwide Distribution is present in Latin America with a networks division in Miami, a sales division in NY and a production department in Argentina, all of which are managed by Fred Medina. From these offices, the company began to expand its business in the region, with co-productions in Argentina, Brazil and Chile, According to Gareth Williams, content and production SVP for Latin America at BBC Worldwide, the investment is already paying off: "Our commitment in the region has tripled this year; we are focusing more on Latin America," he said.
NEW TRENDS
The company's formats have had great success in Latin America. Los Sónicos (produced with GP) has had a great performance in Argentina, as has What not to Wear (co-produced with SBT) in Brazil. The company's strategy stands out from other companies' since it takes into account the numerous trends currently present in the region as is prepared for them. One of the most notorious changes in Latin America is the fact that fiction series are "evolving", leaving the traditional telenovela format behind in favor of shorter series with innovative plots.
"Some countries are looking to produce a different type of fiction; there's a need for a bit of change, but those in charge are afraid to take a risk and innovate too much when it comes to their programming," he said. In light of these trends, BBC Worldwide Distribution's role is offering products and formats to satisfy this demand. "We have excellent products such as interesting series that are not telenovelas and can be an alternative to the shows that have been on the air in the last few decades," Williams said.
The executive also stated the company is in negotiations to produce a Latin American version of The Office: "We see the possibility to produce a Latin American version of this series which will be great; we are negotiating," he said.
As far as formats go, Williams believes nowadays, Latin viewers prefer game shows were contestants can interact: "Markets are searching for entertainment formats; they don't want so many questions, they want entertaining tasks and people competing to achieve fun things," he said.
ECUADOR, PERU, URUGUAY
The executive highlighted Ecuador and Peru as countries which have doubled their interest in formats over the past few months, and where BBC Worldwide Distribution intends to invest: "There's a wave of international formats which are about to be adapted in these countries. Peru is a very interesting market with a lot of people; same as in Ecuador," he said. In addition, the executive also highlighted the great potential he sees in Uruguay: "I love the Uruguayan market because of how ambitious its products are and their intention to produce the best content; it's very interesting for us," he said.
The company is also currently co-producing several projects in the region. They started the year by co-producing the format The Greats and a new season of What Not to Wear in Brazil with production company SBT. They are also premiering a second season of Animaniacs in Argentina, and producing a pilot in Chile. Los Sónicos is already on its second season, and a new crime series called Babylon is in the works. The company is also present in the Caribbean, with the adaptation of Dancing With the Stars in Panama, which will premiere soon on TVN 2.
L.A. SCREENINGS
BBC Worldwide Distribution has several projects to present at the upcoming edition of L.A. Screenings. In addition to the aforementioned formats and series, it will present Scott & Bailey, a new crime series; Luther, a psychological thriller; and Misfits. As far as entertainment formats go, the company's catalog includes Junior Doctors, an innovative reality show that follows med-school graduates as they start to work in different hospitals; Epic Win, a talent show that searches for people with the most bizarre skills; and The Great Takeoff, a reality on pastry chefs.
BBC Worldwide Distribution will take advantage of the upcoming tradeshows to continue investing on Latin America: "We are still building our business; we have a lot of people left to meet and build relationships with. We must meet more people at L.A. Screenings because this business isn't going to build itself," he concluded. |
|
|
|
|
|