JP Bommel, President & CEO of NATPE announced today the launch of several new initiatives for the forthcoming NATPE Budapest Global TV Market and Conference, taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest from June 19-22.

In addition to the robust conference program featuring “Success in Co-Productions: Maximizing Your Regional and International Business Partnerships” and “A World of Formats: Insights and Strategies for Global Distribution”, the premier global content and membership organization will introduce an expanded networking service, targeted buyers’ sessions and a regional producers’ summit all designed to foster new business and stimulate creative discussions and partnerships. NBCUniversal, MGM, Twentieth Century Fox TV Distribution, Lionsgate, CBS and Warner Bros. will offer CEE acquisition executives new content, fresh from the LA Screenings; and the popular Pitch and Play is back for a second edition.

Buyers’ participation is already outpacing last year, with more than 415 confirmed to-date. To facilitate buyer and seller introductions, NATPE is launching MyNATPE – the organization’s proprietary, intuitive match-making networking platform.

Also set to debut at the conference are key “Business Intelligence”’ sessions – “Opening the Window on CEE” and “CEE Market Overview: Regional Breakout Hits, Trends and Data” - outlining CEE buyers’ programming needs and unveiling current trends from across the region. These invaluable presentations will take place on Monday June 19, ahead of the opening of the market floor which takes place June 20.

JP Bommel commented, “We are very excited to build on our successful return to Budapest and have the opportunity to not only showcase fresh content from around the world, but also highlight the incredibly powerful content from the CEE region. NATPE is proud to offer new initiatives designed to ensure delegates get the most from the event - from setting the scene with our opening Business Intelligence sessions to offering local producers the chance to discover more about the international market. NATPE Budapest is also a fantastic opportunity for networking with focused sessions and a number of parties, bringing the content and platform communities together at the epicenter of the CEE region.”

Featured Sessions include:

OPENING THE WINDOW ON CEE
This panel will consider the process of windowing content around the world which has become increasingly complex, with new platforms and opportunities springing up continuously. What do producers and distributors need to know about buyers’ expectations, and what do buyers need to know about the distributors’ approach to selling across the various existing and new windows? A panel of experts will discuss how the business process is evolving in the CEE region; what’s new, the key battles over rights and where success has been found.

CEE MARKET OVERVIEW
This multi-level, interactive session will provide a comprehensive look at CEE television and content, and support regional and global business acumen. Commencing with a comprehensive review exploring the latest trends in the region, including a look at the hits of the season, the presentation will be followed by a moderated discussion among regional experts and attendees.

REGIONAL PRODUCERS’ SUMMIT
This summit, curated to engage emerging producers within the CEE region, will also take place at Budapest’s Intercontinental Hotel on 20 June. The event will open with a “state of the union” keynote delivered by a leading and respected senior executive. This will be followed by a panel of experts leading a discussion and audience Q&A which will focus on the challenges and opportunities for production success in the region. A pitch feedback session will then take place, where, selected via a submission process, four project reels from local production companies will be screened. Each project, one from four distinct formats, and its creator will then receive constructive comments and questions from our expert panel and their fellow participants. The event will conclude with an informal discussion.

PITCH & PLAY LIVE
Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2016, CEETV and NATPE will host the second edition of their format initiative PITCH & PLAY LIVE, aimed at showcasing original format ideas with international potential from the CEE region. Any non-scripted format ideas created after June 1, 2016 can take part in the competition. The deadline for submissions has been extended until May 20. Up to ten titles will be selected and reviewed by an international committee of TV industry professionals who will pick three finalists. These top three formats will be presented live by their creators in a special session on June 21, as a key event of NATPE Budapest 2017, followed by a celebratory party. A jury of highly respected TV professionals will vote for one format winner of PITCH & PLAY LIVE which will be announced at NATPE Budapest.