London TV Screenings Insights: Louise Pedersen, CEO, All3Media International

Joan (Source: ITV)

Ahead of buyers landing in the UK for London TV Screenings and BBC Studios Showcase next week, TBI has talked to the bosses of more than 25 distribution companies to test the temperature of the global content industry and to find out how the next 12 months are shaping up.

In this installment, Louise Pedersen, CEO at All3Media International, highlights the misalignment of budgets and deficits – particularly in the US – as a key challenge, and discusses the growing importance of secondary rights.

Louise Pedersen (Source: All3Media)

What three words would you use to describe the state of the TV/streaming industry right now?

Cautious, risk averse, variable globally (some steady markets, some much tougher ones).

What three words would you use to describe the state of the distribution sector right now?

Steady, prudent, tough for smaller distributors.

With fewer shows being commissioned, how are you securing your pipeline?

Pipeline isn’t a massive issue for us, we are offered shows but currently budgets and deficits do not always align with the licence fees being paid in the market, especially from the US. So financing is a bigger issue at the moment rather than pipeline.

What is the single biggest difference in the discussions you’re having with buyers today compared with 12 months ago?

The release of US studio shows from their owned-and-operated streamer services has led to more US content on the market and, therefore, more competition.

How do you expect global streamer demands for rights to change in 2024 compared with 2023?

I’m expecting to see more territory flexibility. The ability to pick up UK secondary rights, for example, is important – but the public service broadcaster (PSB) attitude to those is not particularly helpful.

Where does opportunity lie for you in 2024?

There is certainly room for format/ancillary expansion and that is one area we are exploring. There are also opportunities around premium and long running factual, as well as increasing catalogue/second cycle revenues.

Tell us in no more than two sentences about the biggest problem facing the distribution industry and what needs to change so it can be overcome.

Financing UK shows – budgets are high, deficits are unrealistic at times. There is a lack of flexibility around UK secondary rights and co-producer needs, like day and date broadcast, isn’t helping. More flexibility here could free up more distribution cash.

Tell us about your top show at London Screenings & why we should buy it

On the drama front, we have Joan, from the award-winning team at Snowed-In Productions – it’s an exhilarating, emotional and highly-anticipated drama, launching on ITV and The CW this year.

The show is led by a stellar performance from Sophie Turner, helmed by The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe director Richard Laxton, with Mrs Wilson writer Anna Symons adapting for screen.

The six-parter brings to life the thrilling true story of notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties; deeply scarred and vulnerable she is a devoted mother to her six-year-old daughter, Kelly. But trapped in a disastrous marriage with a violent criminal named Gary, she seizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself and her daughter when Gary goes on the run.

Our big format is The Underdog and we are doing a standalone segment for unscripted at London TV Screenings too, for the first time. Shows include Raw’s Dead In The Water and Lion’s Pompeii.