Natpe Budapest 2022 is back in person, joining the international content industry around Central and Eastern Europe. What tip & trends can we mention to take in mind? Both globally and specifically in Europe?
About product trends this year, globally the broadcasters prefer entertainment formats, to handle local content which is their arm vs. OTT platforms. In fictions, the main US studio trend is internationalization: if in the past most of the new shows were for US networks, now at least half are produced for overseas partners, mainly Europe. About genres, we saw that mainly thrillers, crime dramas, procedural, supernatural plots for young audiences, global comedies are the most requested options.
Specific trends about Europe? Many broadcasters and producers say that the OTT bubble is beginning to explode, especially about Netflix, that expects to lose subscribers and have stopped some productions. On the opposite, the ‘generalistic TV’ is better, because it is more stable in these chaotic times and joins the family. It is also to stress the very good moment of Cinema, that for instance in Spain has generated USD 100 millions in one year, and shows 6 months of progressive growth.
Too, with the reinforcement of free TV, the entertainment formats are better again, after a period of lack of creativity. So, some producers that came from unscripted and produced fictions for OTTs the last year, are back on entertainment again. This is a good moment for cost-efficient formats, to develop in Budapest. Let’see the market…
Nicolás Smirnoff
