October 11, 2007

It was a day of some interesting developments at MipCom 2007 on day three that saw some significant business transactions bear fruit. These largely comprised deals in the animation sector. Sukumar Subramanian, CEO, Sanra, divulged that his company had entered into a co-production deal with a Canadian company for two of its products – Alien Ventures and Planet Explorers.

PMI Green Gold’s Executive Director Ajay Patadia informed that his company was closing a deal with a South African company for its three products – ‘Krishna’, ‘Vikram Vetaal’ and ‘Mighty Little Bhim’.

Subramanian said, “The clear change in the mindset this year is that we have not come here just to sell our services, we want to get into co-production deals as well. We have also closed a deal for Forest Friends Inn for DVDs in the US and the UK.”
Patadia informed, “There has been interest shown and the market is good. We even have an interested party from the Philippines for our three products. So, you know that the demand is there.”

While these are some of the Indian players who are speaking about their deals, it is reliably learnt that other players like World Wide Entertainment, too, have some announcements to make soon. They are joined by the Syndication team of SET India and Venus India, all of whom are hurdled in corners, convincing some client.

The day also saw BBC Worldwide revealing its plans to open up a local production base in India, which would be headed by Saul Nassé as General Manager and Creative Head. The new office, BBC Worldwide Productions India, will be responsible for bringing the production expertise of the BBC to the Indian market, and will work with local talent throughout India to produce and deliver high-quality television.

It will work together with BBC Worldwide’s Los Angeles production studio, which currently works with major US Networks and is responsible for producing shows such as ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

Nassé was previously the Editor of ‘Tomorrow’s World’ and acting head of religion and ethics at the BBC. Working alongside Nassé will be Sonia Chowdhry, Creative Director of Development and Special Projects at BBC Worldwide Productions India. Chowdhry launched the show ‘Haath Se Haath Milaa’ (Let's Join Hands) for the BBC World Service HIV/AIDS campaign in India and was the Head of Programming for Nick in India.

She will be driving the future business of the company, working with the development teams in London and pitching to local broadcasters. Additional appointments will be announced shortly.

Wayne Garvie, Managing Director, Content and Production, BBC Worldwide, said, “India is one of the most important and successful territories for BBC Worldwide. This local production office underlines our commitment to Indian broadcasters and audiences and firmly positions BBC Worldwide as a leading global content network. Under Saul’s leadership, I’m confident that the office will quickly become a key player in India’s growing television industry.”

Nassé added, “I’ve spent the past year in India, setting up the office and meeting representatives from all the broadcasters with whom BBC Worldwide works. Two indisputable facts – local productions are by far the most popular programming in India, and BBC Worldwide has one of the world’s richest catalogues of television content and formats. Taken together, therefore, the Indian production base offers genuine synergy. I’m delighted that the office is now open for business.”