Michelle Wasserman, senior VP LATAM, US Hispanic and Brazil at Banijay Rights, commented that although 2023 is going to be a tough year, he does not believe there is a slowdown in production. In contrast, he sees an interesting balance between original content and acquisitions.
“This 2023 is the year of change and move. Platforms have been introducing innovation in acquisitions for the past several years. This is a year when our Latin industry is in trouble, hard to come by, no slowdown in production”, he argued.
Unlike 2022, which saw an extraordinary recovery in production after the pandemic, 2023 feels like a recession.
“Platforms need to monetize their content, many people start selling their original content and this is also a necessity due to changes in budget, income and strategy. But on the other hand, especially in our case non-scripted, both scripted and non-scripted formats and the need for adaptation is very strong because this balance between original production and acquisitions is based on the format side. Reducing exposure and the return of large formats. We are talking about formats like Big Brother or Survivor, which after 10 or 15 years return to the main screen with more force than ever. We see the case of Big Brother in Argentina with a peak of 80% share, a show that was strong, that is 26 years old, and although at the time it was an innovation and a turning point in the way of doing television, today It has been launched with more force than when it was born, as it comes with a learning curve of 36 thousand chapters in the world and adapted in more than 70 countries. A learning curve with successes and failures, adapting to target cultures, programming needs, and new technologies. And why is this type of show going on today? Because it precisely helps the linear programming platform deal with the plethora of content offered on streaming platforms”, Wasserman explained.
The interactivity they provide to the viewers is the difference that is helping linear television platforms to set themselves against their competition. “The word interactivity is the key, it is the protagonist” he insisted.
He also commented that they are working with Fast Channels, and they are about to launch in Mexico and Brazil, in addition to growing in the digital space.
