183 domestic and foreign companies and 688 buyers from 34 countries participate in the Asia's largest broadcasting content market
By Vice Chairman Song na-ra
The BCWW 2022, the Asia's largest broadcasting content market which was organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ended successfully on Sept. 2, with 183 domestic and foreign companies and 688 buyers from 34 countries participating.
Under the slogan of 'Play the New Content, Dive into the BCWW,' officials from the broadcasting and video content industry from more than 36 countries around the world have gathered at the BCWW, which marks its 22nd anniversary this year.
Various programs have been prepared, from B2B programs such as business meetings and distribution conferences to B2C programs such as conferences, showcases, and content awards, providing a venue for mutual exchange and expansion of business opportunities.
In the exhibition hall held in three years, major broadcasting companies such as KBS Media, MBC, SBS Contents Hub, CJ ENM, and SLL participated as independent booths.
They have exhibited the accumulated excellent broadcast video contents IP, searched for global business opportunities, and added vitality to the venue.
Foreign companies such as 'ECCHO RIGHTS' of Sweden, 'One Life Studios' of India, 'Mono Streaming' of Thailand, 'TV TOKYO' of Japan, and 'Linmon Pictures' of China participated as offline booths, confirming the aspect of Asia's largest broadcasting video contents market.
The New Media Content Awards ceremony was also held to discover and award the best new media content this year.
The grand prize went to "Alive" co-produced by JTBC and Cactus Media, and the excellence prize went to 'A deadbeat's Meal' by Play List.
CJ ENM's "I want to be a star although it is a virtual world" won the excellence prize in the web arts division, and 'Grandma's recipe' by Film Faktura, garnered the excellence prize in the web documentary and culture division.
The special award was given to 'Whynot Media' and 'CJ ENM-Studio Sapiens.'
Meanwhile, President Jo Hyun-rae of KOCCA said, “Through the BCWW 2022, which was held offline in three years, we directly confirmed the status of K-contents and the interest of the global market.
“We will continue to support K-contents in various stories and formats to find and foster more K-contents so that more K-contents can get opportunities in the global market."
The present and future of K-contents
The BCWW Conference, which deals with major issues in the broadcasting and video industry, has held a total of nine sessions, including global content trends, global collaboration strategies, content analysis desired by buyers, and special sessions such as analyzing the attractiveness of K-contents and enhancing the possibility of expansion.
In the special session, particularly, Lee Sang-baek, the producer of the drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” which is ranked No. 1 in Netflix in 20 countries around the world and is highly resonating with CNN in the United States, and Director Yoo In-sik were invited to deal with the possibility of success of a new broadcasting content business model through the influence of K-drama contents in the global market and the acquisition of intellectual property rights (IP) of producers.
In addition, under the theme of ‘Era of Cooperation: Successful Business Strategy with Overseas Partners’, Managing Director Mike Beale of Global Creative Network in ITV Studio, UK, Managing Director Park Hyeon in charge of global business of Studio Dragon, General Manager Park Jun-seo of SLL presented a strategic direction for the successful business of international co-production.
In the session titled "K-Contents, Korean wave, expanding the cultural horizons of global citizens," HYBE's Director Jang Hye-sun talked about the formation of global consensus on K-contents through BTS's Bangbang Con and Disney Plus documentary production cases.
In addition, Vice President Adam Steinman of Warner Bros in format development part participated as speaker to analyze global trends and explore strategies for success such as K-contents and formats.
Global media companies, buyers seek global business opportunities
As BCWW is held offline in three years due to the relaxation of the distance of COVID-19, various companies and buyers participated and proceeded with higher interest than ever.
KOCCA has planned detailed programs focusing on biz matching between domestic and foreign buyers and sellers.
KOCCA has operated a variety of programs, including ▲ BCWW Market, which consists of exhibition halls of domestic and foreign broadcasting video companies, ▲ New Presentation, which releases major works in the second half of the year, and ▲'International Format Planning Idea Pitching', which pitches planning ideas.
As domestic companies, ▲Astory, the producer of “Extraordinary Attorny Woo”, ▲ Chorokbaem Media of “My Liberation Notes” ▲ the Pinkfong Company of “Pinkfong Baby Shark” participated.
A total of 168 companies from 17 countries participated in on-line and off-line and showed various contents.
The enthusiasm of overseas media companies and buyers to participate is also hot.
Amazon Prime, Warner Media, NBC Universal, Asia's largest media group 'PCCW', China's largest video platform 'iQIYI', and other leading broadcasting video companies and industry officials have completed pre-registration.
