Two DW Transtel productions Art Beats and Farming for the Planet were highlights at MIPTV this year. The high-quality documentary productions from DW Transtel offer international partners a wide variety of content ranging from nature and science documentaries to culture and history. Another trend seen at this year’s MIP TV is the growth of online and mobile productions, which are a growing complement to traditional television formats.

Benjamin Schnabel, Distribution Representative for Global Partnerships at DW

MIP Digital Fronts will be the first international digital content marketplace for the production, distribution and acquisition of high-quality original content produced exclusively for online audiences.

Even as television and the Internet merge closer together, online video is still in the early stages of its development as a conventional medium. But in the next few years, it will really take off as audiences become more comfortable with using hybrid television and streaming video. Online networks and channels are beginning to feature programming created specifically for the web that has mass appeal. The fact that MIP is exploring digital fronts indicates it could be where the market is heading in the future.

Traditional news outlets can redefine their place in the digital landscape by producing or distributing innovative and interactive web documentaries. DW has been exploring the world with interactive documentaries for years now. And this definitely shows another direction that interaction, digital content and smart TV could have – a type of “choose your own adventure” documentary.  These productions unlock the multimedia potential of the digital world by combining insightful and interesting journalism with captivating visual settings and video. DW’s WebDocs for example take you deep into the rainforests of Papua New Guinea or the shantytowns of Rio de Janeiro. And unlike traditional documentary formats, the user interacts with the environment and can choose actions, questions and decide where the story goes. All of these elements combine to place the user in the journalist’s shoes.

There is a demand on the emerging digital content market for productions that meet journalistic and intellectual standards. While Digital Fronts seems to focus nearly exclusively on entertainment, fiction and series, the large-scale success of documentaries in the recent past like “An Inconvenient Truth” or “Super Size Me” suggest that real stories can also have a place in the digital world. Interactive Webdocs could play that role on digital channels. Take for example NPR’s “Planet Money Makes A T-Shirt” or “Journey To The End Of Coal” produced by the private French studio honkeytonk films and first released on the website of the leading French daily, Le Monde.

There is still a lot of junk floating around in online channels. There is a need to develop content that tries to reach a higher standard and is aimed at digital natives who will use online video portals as their primary source of entertainment. They are seeking high-quality online content that combines news, entertainment and audience participation. By developing and promoting novel video and documentary formats, broadcasters can take the lead in adding quality to digital channels.

If you are interested in working with DW on co-productions or integrating our content into your lineup, just contact our sales team. We will also be in Cannes at MIP from April 7-10.

Deutsche Welle (DW) is in Cannes, France, this week for MIPTV. Our distribution executives will be speaking to partners and buyers about the new range of programming options that we have to offer as well as the recent changes that have taken place. We will also be showcasing the first conference stand that has integrated the new corporate identity.

If you are at MIPTV, stop by! We are at Booth 19.14 until April 4.

“Ecopia” in HD highlights the broad spectrum of new titles that is representative of the quality that DW has to offer

DW Transtel has announced its lineup for MIPTV 2012, adding a new HD title to its already thought-provoking range of programming. With multi-genre content ranging from current affairs, economics and politics to arts, culture, lifestyle and science, the new programming palette is tailored to today’s educated audience. DW will be presenting these titles and many more at MIPTV in Cannes from April 1-4.
“DW is very committed to sharing the European perspective to audiences around the world,” says Petra Schneider, DW’s Director of Distribution. “We do this by presenting the facts, explaining contexts and analyzing background information. With a focus on science, culture and education, we make sure that everything we produce is precise, relevant and easy to grasp.”
The high-quality content from DW Transtel is always presented in an entertaining way and developed with the viewers in mind. “Opinion leaders and the generally curious have always looked to DW for new insights and viewpoints from Europe that aren’t available from other sources,” added Schneider.

Programming highlights

• Ecopia – Intelligent Building, Sustainable Living (3×30’) (HD), an innovative look at the urban landscape, presenting groundbreaking ideas from the areas of ecological architecture and urban development.
• Uncovered (7×30’), a compelling documentary series shows the secrets hiding beneath the surface. Where greed leads to the establishment of businesses that bend the law – or even break it.
• By the River, By the Water (8×30’), crossing climate zones and continents to show how rivers define the surrounding landscape as well as the people who live on their shores.
• Assignment X (7×30’), following scientists and researchers on a fundamental journey for knowledge. An adventure to unknown territories and to find answers and explanations.
• Let’s Do Business (6×30’), an entertaining look behind the scenes of the financial world. Real people with really unusual lives. It’s not about the numbers – it’s about the stories behind the numbers.
• Land of Loveliness (31×3’-5’), a travelogue featuring roving reporter Michael Wigge and his own particular brand of humor. Across the length and breadth of Germany to discover, and uncover, famous sites and best-kept secrets.

All programming is available in English, other languages are available dependent on title. For more information, visit DW Transtel at MIPTV, April 1-4, 2012 at Booth 19.14.