Central European TV Opportunities In Focus

An important networking and training programme, DISCOPRO, will take place on Tuesday 17 June in Budapest.
This will be a prelude to DISCOP EAST 08, and will focus on low cost co-production opportunities now available through the proliferation of new thematic TV channels throughout Central and Eastern Europe, combined with regulatory frameworks favouring locally produced programming.
The keynote session will be presented by Tobias Gerlach, Member of the Board of Bavaria Film, who will elaborate on the subject of strategic alliances as a key to joint production activities in Europe.
Other experts taking part in the programme will include representatives from HBO Central Europe, ChelloZone, CME, Mediametrie, the E.U. funded Programme Media, BBC Worldwide, Zee TV, ITI, A.C.T.E., Ogilvy, Akamedia, Dori Media and Distraction Formats among many others.
Patrick Jucaud, General Manager, DISCOP commented: "More than 200 thematic networks produced exclusively for specific geographical markets, in addition to global television brands customized for local audiences, have been launched across the CEE region in the last 12 months.
"With even more channels expected to become available very soon, there is a huge need for locally made content produced by entrepreneurial, creative and low-cost production entities. DISCOPRO 08 aims to help these creators achieve the best possible results."
DISCOPRO 08 is open to DISCOP EAST 08 participants already registered for the 16th edition of the annual television content market - and dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe - to take place from 18 to 20 June in Budapest.
A full listing of all thematic TV channels available in Central and Eastern Europe, complete with programming and acquisitions' executives contact details, will be made available to those attending DISCOPRO 08.
After 15 years of operating independently, the DISCOP organisation has partnered since 2005 with the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). NATPE is a global non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, development and distribution of televised programming in all forms, across all mature and emerging media platforms.
Founded in 1991, DISCOP East is the only television content market strictly targeted at Central and Eastern Europe. DISCOP Africa, launching in February 2009, will be the first event of its kind in the African Continent centred around pre-organized meetings between buyers and sellers of television content.
(BMcC)