Key speakers:
The formats industry in Asia is booming, and the third edition of Formats Asia took place in Shanghai on 9th & 10th June 2015. The Event brought together senior executives from Broadcasters, Production Companies, Content Creators and Owners, and Branded Entertainment Agencies, for a robust discussion on what defines the industry’s future.
Formats Asia focused on new opportunities, new markets, creating and protecting formats, innovative ways to monetise formats for TV and Online Video, and showcasing the best of global formats.
Click here to download pdf of full detailed programme, which included:

Overview of Formats in 2015
The formats industry is at a critical stage of its development, when business models need to be reexamined and adjusted amidst massive technological transformation, rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and changing viewing habits. What are the trends affecting formats business in Asia and across the globe?
The Secret Recipe to Creative Formats
Is there a formula in coming up with a creative format? How do we make this creative format sellable in many countries? What can be the next “big thing”?
Emerging TV Formats in Asia
The rise of reality TV has unleashed latent audience demand, allowing TV programmes to engage and interact with viewers previously thought impossible. What other TV formats are gaining popularity in Asia besides reality formats? What should be taken into consideration when localising foreign formats? As drama formats have gained momentum in recent years, will it be a game changer for TV formats businesses in Asia?
![]() James RossCEO, Lightning International | |
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![]() Michael SchmidtChief Creative Officer, Red Arrow Entertainment Group | ![]() Zhang BoInternational Business Manager, Eurodata |
![]() Kim Il JoongDirector of Creative Oasis Lab, SBS, KOREA | |
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![]() Noppakorn ThongmanFounder, Entertainment LAB | ![]() michael McKayPresident, activeTV |
![]() Julia SongDirector, GroupM Entertainment China | ||
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![]() Riaz MehtaPresident & Founder, Imagine Group | ![]() Ming LuoDeputy Director of Format, Tencent Technology | ![]() Tony QiVP and Territory Head, Fox International China |

The New World of Collaboration
While licensing remains the most common business model in formats business, some format owners are exploring and experimenting with alternatives. Traditionally format owners sell license of their formats to a distributor or a broadcaster. But for some media conglomerates which have operation in foreign markets, they may cooperate with a local broadcaster or even air the show themselves if they own a channel in the respective market. What are the pros and cons of such business model? Are there other innovative ways to finance and monetise TV formats?
![]() Toshikazu SugaeVice President, Yomiuri-TV Enterprise | |
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![]() Mike JacksonHead of Global Sales, Banijay International | ![]() JanghoSeoHead of International Acquisitions & Sales, CJ E&M Corporation |

Asia Briefing
Broadcasters in Asia used to import TV programmes and formats mostly produced in Europe, but not anymore. Productions of other Asian countries are catching up aggressively. In 2013, Southeast Asia and Korea have successfully exported TV programmes to China, after Europe. What works in each Asian country and what doesn’t work?
Asian Formats to the World
While imported TV formats have proven their commercial success in Asia, countries such as South Korea, Japan and China are pushing their own formats to the world. What are the essential ingredients needed to export formats to the world? Does it always need to build a success case in the U.S. market before going international? What is holding Asian formats businesses from selling their formats to the world?