Execs ponder crisis-impact at Mipcom (THR, VAR)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

With the annual Mipcom TV conference moving into full swing today, the world�s small screen execs are feeling cautious. Worries about the stock market crash, TV ad market downturns and potentially ever-tighter budgets at many foreign broadcasters, are on everyone�s minds. Still, a record number of TV execs and producers have turned up on Cannes� famed Croisette.

Although ABC-Disney global TV head Ben Pyne told Variety, "Realistically, it's too early for any of us to know the impact (of the financial crisis)," the TV industry has traditionally shown a remarkable ability to roll with the punches.

"We believe we're well positioned with major brands and franchises which people look to, great creativity which we can put across multiple platforms within our company and with our distribution partners," Pyne told Variety.

Disney's sale of movie "Camp Rock" to 78 territories across free, pay and basic cable, announced Sunday, indeed seemed to underscore Pyne's point.

With the fall TV season in the US producing few breakout hits, pricing for US sales teams must be a concern, notes The Hollywood Reporter.

Still, shows like the J.J. Abrams-produced "Fringe" and crime drama "The Mentalist," plus "Knight Rider" and "90210" appear likely to gain traction abroad. NBC Universal's "My Own Worst Enemy" and Fox's "Life on Mars" are also generating buzz.

"The crisis could push some broadcasters to acquire more cost-friendly product, like US series, not less," Ghislain Barrois, director of acquisitions at Spain's Telecinco, told Variety.

Jim Packer, co-president of MGM Worldwide Television, told THR, "There has been no change in the level or number of meetings. Everyone seems to be here. Although there are indications of a pinch in advertising in the US, people are taking a wait-and-see approach and will be sounding out European broadcasters this week."

"It's way too soon for effects of the meltdown to seep in," is how one longtime MIPCOM attendee told THR. "Everyone's just agog at what's going on in the financial markets. Everyone's holding on to the idea that people will still want to watch TV and hence, that our being here is the right place to be."

On the speaking agenda this week in the Palais des Festivals are Viacom president-CEO Philippe Daumon, Discovery president-CEO David Zaslav, YouTube founder-CEO Chad Hurley and former Disney chief Michael Eisner.