President, CBS Studios International
VideoAge International: At MIPCOM will you have a more definite picture of your output shown at the Screenings? Can you outline it?
Armando Nuñez: We are very excited about the quality of our new series this season. We have the most buzzed about new series with Hawaii Five-0. We also have Blue Bloods, a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement; The Defenders, a comedic drama starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell; and The Borgias, a portrait of one of history’s most intriguing families which stars Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons.
VAI: What will be your focus at this MIPCOM (both in terms of product and territories)?
AN: MIPCOM is part of the year round sales cycle rather than a specific focus. The timing of the market allows us to meet with our clients shortly after the series have premiered in the States and share additional information with them.
VAI: In your view, is MIPCOM important only because of the sales prospects or does it have other value?
AN: MIPCOM, as with all sales markets, provides the opportunity to meet with a large number of people in a rather short period of time. As an international company with 11 offices around the world, we do see our clients regularly. The markets allow us a place to meet with people we are in contact with throughout the year and serve as a forum for us to maintain existing relationships as well as build future ones.
VAI: In a U.S. Studios’ universe, what do you estimate your market share will be this year and does it represent an increase? Plus, where will your growth be coming from?
AN: There continues to be a high demand for U.S. produced programming. We feel strongly that our new series as well as our extensive library provide a great potential for growth as the available shelf space for programming is expanding with the digitization of television.
VAI: We all know that MIP-TV is too close to the L.A. Screenings. What are your plans for dealing with this and suggestions to market organizers to make it easier on the big studios?
AN: While the markets are in fact very close to each other, we make the best of it and make it work for us. We evaluate each Market on an individual basis to figure out what makes the most sense for us.
