London TV Screenings Insights: Emmanuelle Namiech, CEO, Passion Distribution

Help! We Bought A Hotel (Source: Passion Distribution)

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.

Here, Emmanuelle Namiech, CEO of Passion Distribution, talks content investment, increased streaming rights flexibility and a growing documentary offering.

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

Fragmented, in downturn, in transition.

Emmanuelle Namiech (Source: Passion Distribution)

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

Challenging, evolving, adaptable.

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

Through a range of initiatives such as:
– Acquiring rights to shows that are being commissioned, from international content creators
– Investing in original content and commissioning originals funded by pre-sales
– Collaborating with a range of selected producers and IP owners to develop projects to fulfill unmet demand

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

Buyers’ budgets are under increased pressure and their overall buying ability seems to be under additional scrutiny, or certainly subject to a much longer decision-making process.

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

We have seen an increased flexibility in the rights that streamers insist on.

Where does opportunity lie for you in 2024?

Our existing formats continue to attract steady demand, given their ability to captivate highly-engaged audiences consistently. Examples include Paradise Hotel, Open House: The Great Sex Experiment and Worst Driver. There is a notable surge in opportunities for licensing high volume, returnable factual entertainment series such as Traffic Cops.

Our premium documentary offerings have also been met with a positive reception, opening avenues for expansion in this genre. Additionally, the potential for transatlantic projects is increasing, presenting exciting prospects for early collaboration and partnership with content creators and platforms across different markets and continents.

Our Direct to Consumer digital business is growing at a steady pace, enabling us to balance out some of the challenges due to the slow down in commissioning. In addition, through a range of initiatives, such as the recently announced partnership with exciting new branded content agency CoLabX, we’re increasing our ability to develop, fund and monetise content across a multitude of digital and linear platforms.

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.

Offering must-have, cost-effective yet compelling content that engages global audiences is pretty challenging at the best of time, but more than ever, adapting to market conditions is a must – as well as diversifying our sources of ideas and ways to reach audiences.

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

One of our hot picks is Help! We Bought a Hotel, a captivating returnable series from True North, who are renowned for their storytelling expertise and engaging content. Set against the backdrop of picturesque European locations, the series offers stunning visuals and warm characters who embark on the exhilarating journey of realising their dreams: transforming buildings into luxury hotels. Inspirational and entertaining in equal measures!