Last week Vision+Media were thrilled to partner with UKTI and welcome Chinese, Argentinean and UK companies and representatives to our Opportunities on the International Platform event.
Opportunities on the International Platform focused on the opportunities and sometimes difficulties presented by international collaboration, looking at the successes and experiences of those who have entered these markets, more specifically the Chinese market.
With its rapidly expanding and increasing technology enabled marketplace, the opportunity for trade and collaboration between the UK broadcast industry and the worldwide Chinese market is now open like never before. That’s not to say it should be approached without careful planning and consideration. Both Anthony Cragg and Neil Blakeman gave some excellent tips through their video presentations, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and understanding the culture, the need to register IP as soon as possible and to ensure a legally binding bilingual contract is in place and governed by Chinese law. More of these tips can be seen in the videos below.
InForum Workshop: Neil Blakeman from Parameter on Vimeo.
InForum Workshop: Antony Craggs from Parameter on Vimeo.
Chinese delegates treated us to an introduction to their companies and the collaborative opportunities that they are currently seeking. Please see full bios of each company for more information, but here’s a little snippet of what was shared on the day.
- China Central Television (CCTV): Dual platform broadcaster accessible to more than one billion viewers. China’s very first professional channel produced for teenagers and children, broadcasts for over 19 hours a day. Looking for UK cartoons.
- TenCent: One of China’s largest and most used internet service portals “One stop online life service” through instant messaging, social network, games, wireless portals and more, Tencent has built China’s largest online community. Seeking UK collaboration and content.
- China Youth Network: Biggest Chinese youth network, specialising in education and youth development. Looking for UK collaboration for programmes of this subject matter.
- SINA: Online media company for China and Chinese communities around the world with around 100 million registered users. Sina offers distinct, targeted content on each of its regions- specific website and a range of complementary offerings designed to broaden its user base. Sina’s Baby Channel is a sub-channel and platform primarily focusing on service and content for parent and children. Looking for collaboration opportunities in the UK to share experience and expand the business.
- China Network Television (CNTV): A national web-based TV broadcaster, providing users with a globalized, multilingual and multi-terminal public webcast service platform. Looking for UK collaboration.
- Golden Eagle: Cartoon satellite TV in China. Looking for cartoon and animation projects.
We were then lucky enough to have MediaCityUK and Shanghai based Cathay Film share their experiences of Chinese broadcast TV. Cathay Films are currently in a very strong position in the industry, connecting the UK and China, providing unrivalled opportunities for UK companies to access the Chinese market.
With working relationships with large organisations such as CCTV and Shanghai Media Group, Cathay are able to provide unprecedented access for UK businesses, brands and organisations to connect with the Chinese market. Cathay can assist through various means including ad placement deals, helping to connect you with the right people, editing, production and programme distribution to name but a few. Offering services at a low cost simply because they want to see fellow NW based companies benefit from the market.
BBC Worldwide’s Henrietta Hurford- Jones concluded the day with a presentation on the success of In the Night Garden in China. The show has been a real hit with 3 runs per day on CCTV and CH14 and merchandise filling the shelves of children’s stores and online outlets. It can’t be denied that CBeebies are excellent at connecting with the international markets. CBeebies now reaches over 53 million homes in more than 50 countries and is localized in eight languages. With a new focus on children’s content for investment and coproduction, CBeebies are actively exploring new international partners. They are particularly seeking IP opportunities and animation projects across the children’s genre.
