In a very interesting session at the Asia TV Forum (ATF), the panel tried to address the elephant in the room, primarily explaining what content buyers/aggregators like themselves are scouting for in this market of opportunity.
The panel consisted of now TV Hong Kong SAR VP TV and new media Casey Chant; BBC Worldwide UK genre director factual entertainment and entertainment Tracy Forsyth; DramaFever US VP licensing and business development Hyun Park and SOHU China content acquisition & production, head of international business Wang Yi and handling the moderating reigns was C21 Media UK sales director Peter Treacher.
“We at BBC primarily scout for content that has long sustainability and that has a universal appeal. But, our brand promise is to take the best in British programming to the world and we have successfully managed to live up to our promise by striking deals across 200 territories; producing and commissioning compelling content,” explained Tracy.
DramaFever is an online platform where one can find the best of Korean and Asian content exclusively. “We are the largest content aggregators for Korean content online in the US and that is our USP as most of the series that one can find on DramaFever is very exclusive and fresh content,” Hyun exulted.
SOHU is the largest online platform for entertainment in China and focuses on getting the best of western content for the entertainment of the Chinese population. Chasey from now TV also shared the same sentiments as his fellow panelists, where now TV is the top ranked site for entertainment content online in Hong Kong.
All four panelists shared varied examples of the available content on their channels and how all of them only strive to get the best in home entertainment for their respective audience base.
“At the end of the day we want to bring great content to our viewers, as only if they get engaging content will they have the urge to return to our destination, else we are fighting a lost battle,” ended Tracy.