Invited to debate on the theme ‘TV is the new Film’, speakers concurred to say that the appetite from major international broadcasters for talent-driven dramas, with good writers, directors, backed by strong producers-continues to surge and is far from receding. “Today, there are more opportunities than ever on the international scene, with a lot of competition from traditional and new media groups, and Scandinavia has contributed to this trend, “said prominent UK producer Andy Harries (pictured - Left Bank Pictures), referring to the international success of TV shows such as The Killing, Borgen, The Bridge, The Legacy.
Harries was the first to speak concretely of his experience with Netflix, the US streaming service giant that has contributed to changing viewers’ consumption habits over the last couple of years, from linear to digital media. The UK producer said that his upcoming series The Crown written by Peter Morgan and directed by Stephen Daldry will be the first UK original TV drama commissioned by Netflix which has acquired worldwide distribution. “Netflix is really revolutionising the way we view TV drama. When the 20+ episodes will be ready, probably in 2018, people around the world will be able to view it simultaneously. It’s absolutely amazing” said the UK producer. “Netflix is also changing the business by cutting out local distributors from negotiations and acquiring word rights directly from producers,” he noted.
Anne Kolbjørnsen, Head of Scripted Content at Norway’s Rubicon TV, spoke about her experience in dealing with Netflix, partner in Rubicon’s hit Lilyhammer. Brought in by the main star and executive producer Steven van Zandt, the US SVOD service came in season one, but NRK was the main investor in the opening series that had a NOK30 million budget. Netflix came in as equal partner with NRK on season 2, budgeted at NOK 63 million, and was the main investor in Season 3, budgeted at NOK 120 million. “Netflix was fantastic. They gave us a lot of trust and creative freedom,” said Kolbjørnsen who couldn’t find any downside of collaborating with the US group. “I have learnt a lot by working on a faster pace to produce one season a year for them. They have put Norway on the international map and helped Norwegian talents secure deals with US agents”.
Among the streaming giants Amazon Studios which just closed a deal with Woody Allen for him to direct his first ever TV series, was also cited as a key new potential commissioner to count on. Helena Danielson, experienced Swedish producer (Beyond) who recently co-founded Brain Academy to create talent-driven TV drama (see our story HERE) said: “A year ago Amazon had commissioned average TV drama but since then, they have learnt from their mistakes and are coming forward as serious players”. French/Swedish producer Patrick Nebout from Paris-based Atlantique Productions concurred with Danielsson. “Amazon is another very interesting player, because what they look for is signature names – such as Woody Allen - real auteurs to service their elite clientele who buy movies and books, using the Amazon premium service”.
Kjartan Thor Thordarson, one of Iceland’s leading TV drama producers (Sagafilm) forecast that soon Telco giants will enter the playing field: “Just like in the UK where BT (British Telecom) is already buying rights to content, we will see in Scandinavia telcos with a wide customer base starting to commission local TV drama. Local content has always been the most attractive and today it’s more relevant than ever”, he asserted.
To counter the heavier competition from digital players and to better service local viewers, traditional broadcasters in Scandinavia have also upped their stakes and increased their investments in local drama. For instance in Denmark TV2 has quadrupled its serial drama output in a few years. “TV drama is almost like the major sports events. It gives credentials and brands the channel,” stressed TV2 Head of Drama Katrine Vogelsang who added: “This is thanks to DR that has nurtured talents and raised the level of writing in TV drama”.
SBS Discovery Media’s Swedish commercial channel Kanal 5 is the latest TV player set to invest heavier in Scandi scripted content. In Göteborg, Jon Petersson, Head of Programme Controlling and Drama Commissioning outlined his strategy: “So far we’ve been known for acquiring US content but we’ve decided to add locally-produced drama. If we find the right project, our goal is to commission one serial drama per season, meaning two TV dramas a year”. The first show part of the channel’s new drama strategy is the 12 episode US/Swedish crime thriller 100 Code starring Mikael Nyqvist and Dominic Monaghan (Lost) that will premiere on HBO before airing later in 2015 on Kanal5.
Despite new efforts from Nordic broadcasters to focus more heavily on local scripted content, the question of volume seems to be the main issue that the industry will have to solve in the near future. “We need to produce more and find cheaper formats to make TV drama. I believe format will drive content in the future,” asserted TV2 Denmark’s Vogelsang.
Ivar Køhn, Head of Drama at NRK concurred with his colleague: “In the future, we will probably have a bigger variety of very local content and international co-productions. But having more volume has a cost. Our challenge will be to go cheaper and to find new partners, or get more public support.”
Upcoming Nordic TV Dramas introduced in Göteborg:
Denmark:
- The Legacy, Season 2. Drama produced by DR. Premiere January 2016, DR.
- Broke (16x28’ and 8x60’). Character-driven series by DR. Premiere January 2015, DR
Finland
- Replacements (12x45’). Hospital fantasy drama produced by Fisher King. Premiere fall 2015, Nelonen.
- Northern Mishaps/(9x22’). Comedy produced by Bufo, Premiere March 2015, Nelonen
-Hooked (10x50’). Thriller produced by Moskito. Premiere fall 2015, YLE.
Iceland
- Homecoming (2x60’). Drama produced by Pegasus/Vesturport. Premiere spring 2015, Channel 2.
- Trapped (10x58’). Crime drama produced by RVK Studios. Premiere fall 2015, RUV.
Norway
- Mammon Season 2 (8x50’). Political thriller produced by NRK. Premiere January 2016
- Acquitted (10x45’). Drama produced by Miso Film. Premiere spring 2015, TV2
- Occupied (10x45’). Political drama produced by Yellow Bird in co-production with Arte. Premiere fall 2015, TV2
Sweden
- Jordskott/Tales of Silverhöjd (10x60’). Crime series produced by Palladium Fiction. Premiere February 16, SVT
- Oh Varmland/ (10x22’) Comedy produced by Bob Film. Premiere March 2015, TV4
- US/Swedish 100 Code (12x45’). Produced by 100 Code AB & Zen Productions with Fabrik Entertainment, Red Arrow International, Strix Drama for Kanal 5 and Sky Deutschland. Premiere fall 2015.