UK studios with a presence in Asia were also present at ATF 2021. BBC Studios and ITV offered their content production perspectives in these territories.
‘Demand in APAC markets are similar to the rest of the world, like in Latin America, the US, and Europe. Detective dramas, romantic dramas, and comedies are part of a scripted market that is very healthy ’, expressed Matt Forde, Managing Director of International Production & Formats of BBC Studio on a session for ATF.
The exec said that BBC has a deep and broad catalog of formattable titles that can be adapted to different regions, so they’re working with UK creators to recreate and reimagine their content in a way that is relevant for audiences in APAC. ‘We are working to create local originals that have the BBC DNA but are local voices and local stories’.
Meanwhile, Arjan Pomper, Chief Operating Officer of ITV Studios spoke about the lessons that the Asian market continues to teach content creators: Years ago, there was this perception that Asian formats wouldn’t fit the cultures of Europe and The USA. Today, we have to just acknowledge that good IP can come from everywhere ‘.
The executive remarked that they are looking for local partners to develop content that also has global potential: ‘There’s a big demands for big content. If a good idea is ready to travel, it will travel well today. ‘
