London Screenings: A Look at Market Trends and Titles With Paramount and Banijay Top Executives

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The London Television Showcases, often simply referred to as London Screenings, will commence this coming Sunday. These events provide a platform where production companies and distributors present their newest series to international dealers who are on the hunt for potential blockbusters.

Until February 28th, the London Screenings are set to showcase an array of fresh dramas, reality television programs, as well as various series and formats, all being promoted in the city of London.

Representatives from Paramount Global Content Distribution and Banijay were questioned by The Hollywood Reporter regarding significant market patterns, as well as popular shows and movies. (Lisa Kramer, President of International Content Licensing at Paramount Global Content Distribution, and James Townley, Chief Content Officer for Development at Banijay)

What big-picture trends are you seeing in the TV market going into London Screenings?

Lisa Kramer, from Paramount: The television industry is always in flux, and we’re adaptable, constantly adapting to these changes while offering diverse possibilities for our clients. A pattern we’ve observed is the broadening of content release windows due to an abundance of platforms and additional options, such as co-exclusive and non-exclusive deals, in addition to extending the duration of our licensing agreements. This opens up fresh, cost-effective avenues for our clients to access Paramount’s top-tier content. … We are prepared and capable of catering to every market and business model.

James Townley, Banijay: The worldwide demand for daring, energetic programs remains robust. It truly seems that the global interest in fresh intellectual property has returned, and our London Screenings collection (which features nine new titles) embodies this revival. This event has become a crucial milestone in the purchasing calendar, offering an ideal platform to present the latest surge of entertainment creativity.

Moving beyond just formats, collaborations are growing more significant, both within our organization and externally. Collaborative projects, joint productions, and strategic ties with clients and market players globally are proving essential. Agreements such as our partnership with Marc Pos, the creator of Traitors, and our recent alliance with Endemol Shine Australia and Tokyo Broadcasting System, serve a key role in this strategy. They aid us in seizing opportunities and strengthening ties among our production companies on a global scale.

What types or genres of shows do you have in focus and why?

During London Screenings, Paramount Global Content Distribution will give equal attention to both scripted and unscripted projects. We are set to showcase the much-anticipated title, “King & Conqueror,” which is one of our international collaborations produced by CBS Studios, The Development Partnership, Rabbit Track Pictures, Shepherd Content, RVK Studios, and the BBC, jointly.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m hyped to share that I’m part of the team unveiling an epic drama series! This masterpiece is headed by James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and they’re not just stars but executive producers too! We can’t wait to deliver this top-notch quality series to our viewers.

Among the impromptu shows we’ll be airing are the fresh game show titled “Hollywood Squares” and the forthcoming singing contest series, “The Road,” which is a new project by Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton.

As an enthusiast, I’m captivated by the surge of adventure-infused realities, cutthroat competitions, and groundbreaking social experiments that are dominating the scene today. Shows like Against All Odds and Mission Unknown: Atlantic showcase Swedish and German ingenuity, merging it with the electrifying allure of influencer and celebrity worlds in an exhilarating exploration journey. On the other hand, The Rest of My Life from Denmark adds a profound emotional depth to the reality genre, striking a chord with both viewers and buyers alike.

We prioritize supporting creative talents within our sphere, helping them create content that truly stands out – content that breaks the mold, paves new paths, and encourages viewer interaction. The appeal for romantic, adventurous, and experiment-based reality shows remains strong, with a particular interest in those that defy traditional norms.

Additionally, there’s innovation happening in various sectors, with the fusion of sports and entertainment, or “sportainment”, being a significant trend at present, exemplified by productions like “Against All Odds“. In this domain, we have an electrifying, competition-centric format that we’re eager to share with our clients. These programs serve as captivating companions to traditional “must-watch” sporting events, further encouraging viewers to stay hooked.

In the realm of dating shows, the Spanish production titled “30 Dates and 30 Nights” offers a unique spin. It demonstrates that romantic concepts can serve as potent platforms for discovering talented individuals, if presented in an inventive manner.

Examples like Atypical Critics and Game of Wool from our third-party collection demonstrate that distinctive, specialized ideas, when presented effectively, can find their way into the public eye. The importance of talented on-screen personalities is increasingly significant as well; figures such as Tom Daley are instrumental in raising a show’s profile and fostering viewer engagement with Game of Wool.

Anything else worth highlighting?

James Townley: A significant trend today is high-volume reality, where viewers desire to follow a story from beginning to end and remain captivated throughout the series. The Australian show Married at First Sight, created by Endemol Shine Australia, beautifully illustrates this trend.

James Townley: Today’s major trend in reality TV is keeping viewers engaged from start to finish throughout a series, and the Australian show Married at First Sight, produced by Endemol Shine Australia, demonstrates this well.

Beyond just categories, technology and innovative advancements play a significant role in shaping new presentation styles. Our most recent creation, “AI Love You”, demonstrates the potential for technology to influence storytelling, stretching the limits of conventional documentary formats.

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2025-02-21 19:26