US: British TV execs go Stateside
- Published: 09 October 2008 01:09
- Author: Dominic Schreiber
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- Last Updated: 09 October 2008 01:09
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Frances Berwick - Paul Lee - Dave Howe
Frances Berwick, Bravo
With its focus on reality and makeover shows, it's perhaps surprising that more of NBC Universal-owned Bravo's schedule isn't given over to UK formats - especially given the fact that general manager Frances Berwick is a Brit who started her career working at Sadler's Wells before joining Channel 4.
"We follow the market very closely," says Berwick, who has been at Bravo since 1996 and was made general manager this year. "There are so many great formats that come out of the UK."
UK commissions include Tiger Aspect's Make Me a Supermodel and Mentorn USA's Work Out, but it was homegrown hit Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that really put the network on the map. "That was the turning point," says Berwick.
Since then Bravo has enjoyed success with a string of unscripted hits, including Project Runway, Top Chef and Real Housewives of Orange County, and is enjoying its strongest ever ratings this year.
Paul Lee, ABC Family
As well as propelling ABC Family to its best ever ratings last year, Paul Lee's ambitious slate of original series which focus on what he calls a "millennial audience" have also proved a hit with viewers around the world.
"We started to realise we were onto a good thing when we launched Kyle XY three years ago," says Lee, who was chief executive of BBC America before taking the reins of the Disney-owned network in 2004.
"Networks around the world that are a little younger have really embraced it."
Both Kyle XY and new drama Greek have now sold to over 200 countries, while the network's latest breakout drama, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, will launch at Mipcom, after it premiered to record ratings in July.
Now the London-born exec is turning his attention to comedy, with the launch of the network's first original half-hour series, Roommates. Set to debut next year, the series is written by two young British writers, Robin French and Kieron Quirke.
Dave Howe, Sci-Fi Channel
"People assume sci-fi is narrow and geeky," says Dave Howe, president of the NBC Universal-owned cable channel. "But if you look at Hollywood, 17 of the 20 all-time box-office hits are sci-fi fantasy. That's the challlenge and the opportunity for Sci-Fi as a network."
It's a challenge that Howe, who has been with the channel since 2001, has so far proved more than cable of rising to, having overseen some of its most successful original productions, including last year's Tin Man miniseries and Battlestar Galactica.
"People don't give Sci-Fi the credit for how big it is, how broad it is and as a network," says Howe, who previously spent 15 years at the BBC in London. "We have an ability to attract a huge audience."
A move into unscripted shows has helped to broaden the audience, with reality hit Ghost Hunters bringing in more female viewers. It's one area where Sci-Fi is looking to the UK for ideas. Howe was in London earlier this year to meet with indie procuers and several projects are now in development.
