LA Screenings 2014: Guðrún Helga Jónasdóttir, RUV

As buyers flock to Los Angeles for the May Screenings, TBI speaks with key players about what’s on their 2014 shopping list.

Guðrún Helga Jónasdóttir, head of programme acquisitions, Icelandic National Broadcasting Service – RUV

What are your expectations for the 2014 Screenings?

I am looking very much forward to this year LA screenings as I believe that the line-up is stronger than in the past few years.

Do you have any output or volume deals?

The only volume deal that we have at the moment with a US studio is with Disney for kids content. When the economic crisis hit Iceland in 2008 our currency lost 50% of its value and we had to downsize drastically and output deals were no longer a feasible option.

Our main competitor 365 media has output deals with Warner, Fox, HBO and Sony so we are able to place an offer for series from Disney, NBC Universal, CBS and MGM.

Does it change the acquisitions process when many shows are going straight to series and getting announced early?

We normally start to track series in February and for us it does not really change the acquisition process when shows goes straight to series.

What are you looking forward to seeing this year?

The list of new shows that I am looking forward to see is rather long: Extant, The Middle Man, Gotham, How to Get Away with Murder, Emerald City and the remake of the Australian series Secrets and Lies…. just to mention few.

What are the notable US hits on RUV, do certain types of US show resonate with your viewers?

Criminal Minds is still the highest rated US show in Iceland. Castle, Chicago Fire and Revenge also perform well on RUV – the state broadcaster.

What did you pick up last year?

Last year we picked up About a Boy, which we just launched, Chicago PD, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Vikings.

We also signed a three-year volume deal with Disney for kids and tween content.

What slots do you have for US programming?

Currently there are five hour-long slots and two half-hour slots dedicated to US programmes on RUV.

LA SCREENINGS 2014 BUYER PROFILES

Brian Walsh, director of programmes, Foxtel

Marcus Ammon, senior VP, programming, Sky Deutschland

Catherine Mackin, director of programme acquisitions, UKTV

Chrystele Fremaux, vice president, programming, emerging markets, Universal Networks International

Jacinto Roca, CEO and co-founder, Wuaki.tv