NATPE Budapest, the iconic market focused on low-production CEE countries, returns once again to the agenda of TV industry executives at the InterContinental Hotel in the Hungarian capital. After a 2022 edition (organized by the founders of the association) that saw a notable drop in attendance, as a result of the Covid-19 lag, and on the other hand, the changes in the TV business.
But it was last January, after the acquisition of the fair’s operations by the Canadian Brunico Communications, that the event was relaunched and announced, under the premise of once again bringing together executives eager for business in this region of the world. A market that has been growing in the streaming segment, but which also still has deep roots focused on the traditional linear TV business.
‘Since 1993, NATPE Budapest has been the gold standard of marketplaces connecting the world with the Central and Eastern European content community. It is also the only European market to feature US studios in its exclusive screening program for registered buyers. Last year, NATPE Budapest welcomed nearly 400 leading buyers from the CEE region, and we look forward to building on the critical success of the last edition’, said Russell Goldstein, Brunico President and CEO.
One of the successes of NATPE Budapest is the massive call to the main US studios, and to specific Latin distributors, who see great opportunities because for more than 30 years it has attracted the main acquisition executives in the CEE region in the Greater volume.
Goldstein also said that Brunico implemented additional rigor in the buyer qualification process to ensure a roster of executives superior in both quality and quantity, making NATPE Budapest 2023 free to buyers, and attracting even more attendance and interest.
Among the novelties, they launch the “Co-Pro Connections” program, which unites established international producers who bring high-quality projects to present to regional buyers, with the prelude that in a very competitive environment there is a need for early access to stories. new and diverse with local appeal.
The market will have more than 100 exhibitors, including major studios such as Entertainment One (eOne), FOX Entertainment Global, Fremantle, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal Global Distribution, Gaumont, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Sony Pictures Television, as well as the power units of distribution of Movistar Plus+, ONZA Distribution, RCN Television, RTVE, TelevisaUnivision, VIP 2000 TV, or Vision Films, among others.
Also important delegations such as Unifrance, Audiovisual From Spain, Organization of Ukrainian Producers (OUP), and the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) in the USA.
Among the program, on Monday 19, the market begins with two key screenings: Sony Pictures Television and A+E Networks Media, and then the opening keynote organized by CEETV on market trends, opportunities, challenges, and power-plays that are likely to shape the TV market’s business year.
While on Tuesday, June 20, the Paramount Global Distribution screenings open the day, followed by a conference with the CEO of TV2 Media, Pavel Stantchev, and at night, the classic boat cocktail will take place on the Danuvio river.
As for Wednesday the 21st, Dora Petho, Communications Manager at weCAN, will offer a session with numbers and data from the television market in CEE. Also the panel «Streaming Into the Future of Public Broadcasting» will have ERT/ERTFLIX and TRT as speakers. And finally, ITV Studios, Fremantle and Banijay Rights, will discuss business prospects in the region for international distributors.
