London TV Screenings Insights: Mark Young, EVP of distribution & networks (EMEA), SPT

Red Eye (Source: SPT)

As buyers flock to the UK for London TV Screenings and BBC Studios Showcase this week, TBI talks 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 latest installment we hear from Mark Young, Sony Pictures’ Television (SPT)’s EVP of distribution & networks for EMEA, about changing rights priorities and why things aren’t that different to a year ago.

What three words would you use to describe the state of the TV/streaming industry as a whole right now?
Fascinating, challenging, and dynamic.

As our partners continue to strive for viewers/subscribers and profitability, volume of content, funding models and cut-through continue to be key industry conversations

What three words would you use to describe the state of the distribution sector right now?
SPT is unique because of our independence as a studio, and as a distributor we’re working with everybody. Right now we are in a moment of opportunity. Speaking to the distribution sector as a whole, it would be the same three words: challenging, dynamic, and fascinating.

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

It doesn’t feel like the conversations are that different to a year ago: while budgets are challenged in certain places, partners continue to explore funding models and deal structures, and they’re still seeking the strongest IP or recognisable talent. I don’t think that state-of-play is wildly different to 12 months ago.

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

It’s evident that platforms are wanting to expand their ability to monetise their services and the content they’ve acquired, and so we are having certain rights discussions. I’d say that is probably the most notable change from last year.

Where does opportunity lie for you in 2024?

Opportunity, for us, continues to come from our status as an independent studio. In these aforementioned challenging and dynamic times, we want to ensure that we’re the go-to partner for all of our clients. We have a focus on high quality content, and then partnering to help clients activate their audiences and maximise viewership. We have a great opportunity to do this with the slate we’re bringing to the London and LA Screenings this year.

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.

As our partners continue to strive for viewers/subscribers and profitability, volume of content, funding models and cut-through continue to be key industry conversations.

Mark Young

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

We’re fortunate at SPT to have a robust US studio headed by Katherine Pope, alongside Wayne Garvie’s international production group of companies, which includes leading UK drama creators such as Left Bank, Bad Wolf, and Eleven. As an international distribution group this gives us a healthy supply of drama to bring to clients the world over, and the ability to cater to the needs of each of our partner’s markets, whether at the local, pan-regional or international level.

We’re looking forward to unveiling our slate at London Screenings and even more as we head to LA Screenings in May this year.

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

We are giving clients the exclusive world premiere screening of Bad Wolf’s action-packed thriller Red Eye, starring Jing Lusi, Richard Armitage and Lesley Sharp. It’s a real blockbuster – exciting and compulsive, an engaging story with a real international scope. We can’t wait to bring it to clients and their audiences around the globe.

SPT’s London Showcase 2024 is the launchpad for some of our scripted slate which we will be further bolstering as we head to the LA Screenings later this year. We are giving clients their first looks at our epic crime drama Dope Girls from Bad Wolf; Left Bank’s Insomnia starring Vicky McClure; and the highly anticipated third instalment in Blueprint’s acclaimed Scandal franchise – A Very Royal Scandal.