On the second seminar day, the Cologne Conference traditionally deals with developments on the German TV market from an international perspective. The current situation is characterized by consolidation. Kirch and Bertelsmann and public-service companies dominate the German market. Virtually closed chains of production and utilization have emerged, and the Internet has become a factor. What are the consequences of the new situation for the program offer and production, for channels and their image in the face of competition? What does the development mean for international programming? What are the channels’ Internet strategies?
On the programming level new, cheaper formats are in demand, since TV providers are turning more to rationalization and synergies in the wake of market consolidation. In the future, expensive fiction programs will have a tough time competing with cheaper entertainment formats, which promise good Internet and merchandising possibilities. In the face slack advertising, companies are banking increasingly on teleshopping to generate additional profits. New formats are also sought in the documentary genre. Representatives of leading TV companies present their strategies as German television enters a new era.
One thing is certain: new sales channels will shake up the industry. But the new cable network operators cannot refinance their immense investments by means of traditional TV alone. Program managers and producers are plagued by insecurity. The case of “Primacom“ in former East Germany suggests that a new order is emerging. What program needs will arise from the new situation? And can the experience of international markets provide orientation? Leading cable companies present their strategies for the German market. The Cologne Conference analyzes the current state of affairs and discusses future perspectives with leading industry experts.
Presenter: Astrid Frohloff, SAT.1
Welcome: Prof. Dr. Miriam Meckel, Government Spokeswoman of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
10.00 hrs - 10.30 hrs
The New Order I: Technological Development, New Markets, and Program Needs
Introduction: Dr. Norbert Schneider, Director, Broadcasting Authority of North Rhine-Westfalia, Düsseldorf
10.30 hrs - 11.15 hrs
New Programs for new Markets?
Panel
Bradley Herrmann, VP Strategy & Marketing, Callahan/Kabel NRW, Köln
Michael Comish, President International, AtomShockwave, London
11.15 hrs - 11.30 hrs Coffee Break
11.30 hrs - 13.00 hrs
Internet Strategies for Channels
Presentations
Thomas Hesse, Board of Buisness & Legal Affairs, RTL New Media AG, Köln
Claude Schmit, CEO, Super RTL, Köln
Dieter Gorny, CEO, VIVA Media AG, Köln
Stefan Groß-Selbeck, CEO ProSieben Digital Media GmbH, München
Tony Maddox, Senior Vice President, CNN International, London
Jörg Sadrozinski, tagesschau.de/NDR, Hamburg
13.00 hrs - 14.00 hrs Lunch break
14.00 hrs - 14.30 hrs
The New Order II: Media Groups, Channel Families, Production
Introduction: Prof. Hermann Simon, CEO, Simon-Kucher & Partners, Bonn
15.15 hrs - 15.30 hrs Coffee break
15.30 hrs - 16.15 hrs
New Structures of Documentary Television
In cooperation with the ARD
Statement: Hartmann von der Tann, Chief Editor, ARD, Munich
Panel
Anna Doubek, CEO, Media Kompakt / Studio Hamburg, Hamburg
Hendrik Hey, CEO, H5B5 Media AG, Munich
Stefan Aust, CEO, Chief Editor, Spiegel TV, Hamburg
Gert Monheim, Redaktionsleiter ARD/WDR, Cologne
Hartmann von der Tann, Chief Editor ARD, Munich
Alex Homes, Creative Director BBC Documentaries, BBC, London
16.15 hrs - 17.00 hrs
Closing Discussion
Gerhard Zeiler, Managing Director, RTL Television, Cologne
Martin Hoffmann, CEO, SAT.1, Berlin
Christiane zu Salm, CEO, tm3, Munich
Wolf Bauer, CEO, UFA Film und Fernsehen, Potsdam
Anke Schäferkordt, CEO, Vox Film- und Fernseh-GmbH & Co.KG, Cologne