Asian Buyers Look At New Strategies To Tide Over Covid-19 (Part II)

From more dramas and animation, to specifics of less episodes and non-dialogue types, buyers from APAC have been looking to extend their acquisitions beyond their normal spend in light of the current impediments. From the recent ATF Buyers Survey aimed at decision makers, quick buys, more glaring than usual, come with price sensitivities over quality or preferred genre.

Their biggest concerns during this pandemic overwhelmingly touches on the subject of budget. This ranges from a depressed economy to a plunge in advertising revenue, while the indefinite state of the pandemic feeding a rampant wait and see sentiment takes the second spot in current decision-making strategies. All this against the milieu of worry that by late 2020 or early 2021, there will be a dearth in program offerings.

iNSiGHTS takes a look at some highlights of what Asia buyers need at this point in time. Download the full list below.

Andri Detulong
Head Of Programming Acquisition
PT. Satuvisi Abadi / Onevision Entertainment

Market Focus: INDONESIA

Due to the landscape shift during the current pandemic, Andri has noted that TV stations need ready-to-deliver materials. In terms of animation, Andri prefers non-dialogue animation, which is easy to deliver; and not only to terrestrial broadcasters, but OTT platforms as well.

Further content in need are those dubbed in Bahasa, while the biggest concern to date for Andri is the terms of payment.

Hans Spielthenner
CEO
Indigenius SL

Market Focus: WORLDWIDE

The top 3 genres for Indigenius SL are Dramas, Kids Animation / Prog and Documentary / Factual. While there has not been much of the change due to the pandemic, Hans has noted that the usage of VOD (for which he buys) has increased by 35 to 50% over the last 4 weeks.

In view of the current difficulty in content production and cancellation of trade shows, Hans has noted that they are licensing back catalogues. One benefit he has noted is that in light of increased usage, more sellers are finally open to digital distribution.

Hyun Park
Head, Global Division
Studio Dragon Corp.

Market Focus: WORLDWIDE

New genres Hyun Park is keen on include short form scripted and unscripted. While his biggest concern right now is the ad market slowdown, Hyun’s most urgent goal is to create a strong development slate for 2020 and 2021.

Melody Tolentino
Global Content Acquisition Head
ABS-CBN Global, Ltd

Market Focus: WORLDWIDE

To keep the region entertained, ABS-CBN Global has been replacing live shows / sports on TV with Documentary / Factual and Reruns.

New types of genres under consideration to further fill gaps or entertain new audience profile include movies. Melody has noted that her most urgent goal is to acquire movies for their OTT platform, while her biggest concern is license fees.

“Suppliers should consider decreasing the license fees.”

V Nagarajan
CEO
NE Media Syndication
 

Market Focus: INDIAN & SUBCONTINENT, MIDDLE EAST, SUB SAHARA, USA & PAN ASIA

To keep the region entertained, Nagarajan has been flushing out new dramas, new unscripted formats, and new kids animation / prog to replace cancelled live programs.

Interestingly, Nagarajan’s main criteria for quick buys is the delivery of the content, citing lifestyle programs as new genres he is open to consider.

Nagarajan’s most urgent goal right now is to ensure the delivery of contracted content, and hopes to continue to provide good entertainment.