MIP TV

We’re finishing up our final preparations for MIP 2007, the first for Starz Media, but we can already see the clear advantages that come from being part of Starz and Liberty Media, Starz’s parent company. Our business model is to offer one-stop shopping for international producers and networks who will think of us as an experienced, creative funding partner for the global market. By being part of Starz and Liberty, we have the resources of a major studio, but without the huge slate or bureaucracy. In effect we’re a big independent and we like that.

We’re going into MIP with a diversified slate that we think shows off our range and underscores our ability to take projects from our partners’ wish lists, and getting them into production, and then on the air. It’s everything from our new action series “Painkiller Jane,” which Tandem Communications is representing for us worldwide, to the hit children’s animated series “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” (which we just heard is the top-rated show on its network in the UK), to a number of documentaries, anthology series and more. Judging from the reactions we’ve gotten from potential customers already, we’re feeling good about our prospects in the market.

To be clear, we’re feeling good, but not cocky. Anyone in the television business knows that these are unsettled times. Audiences are splintered, advertisers are antsy. We’ve got to sell well and sell hard. But we’ve done our homework, kept our eye on the bottom line, and we think we’ll leave Cannes at the end of the week feeling like it was a trip worth taking.

Neil Braun is President of Distribution and Marketing at Starz Media.