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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Disney Media Networks

Barry Jossen, Executive Vice President, ABC Studios Barry Jossen Executive Vice President, ABC Studios 1) What is the future of broadcast television, and how is ABC Studios preparing for it? This has been a fantastic season for ABC. “Grey’s Anatomy” remains dominant as the highest rated drama on television. Along with the very popular “Modern Family,” ABC has a strong comedy brand with “Happy Endings,” “The Middle,” “Suburgatory” and “Cougar Town.” This season, ABC Studios has successfully premiered “Revenge” and “Once Upon A Time” on ABC. We have three more shows to launch — “Missing,” “GBC” and “Scandal”— each of which has hit potential. The broadcast television industry is sound. It still has huge viewership and the most powerful means of launching and marketing new shows as hits. The audience knows that and continues to look there first for its most popular shows 2) Is there a secret to developing a hit TV show? At ABC Studios, we start with high quality talent. The center of each hit show is its writing. We want a writer with a strong creative point-of-view and vision for the show they are creating. Then we carefully nurture their vision. As the idea evolves from an idea to a script and then to a series, we make sure that each member of the show team is of the highest possible quality and experience within their craft as possible. 3) How important has creating original and ancillary digital content become for ABC Studios? In today’s world, a TV show is no longer just a TV show. Now it is the mother ship in a line of products and content. A loyal, committed fan wants to constantly connect with their favorite show. So we create all types of content and experiences so the experience of the show can be extended throughout the week between broadcasts and between seasons. This is an essential part of our process. 4) Do you have a must watch ABC show? I love all shows produced by ABC Studios and watch them as much as possible The Media Networks division includes U.S. broadcast channels, U.S. and international cable channels, television production, U.S. and international television distribution, U.S. and international broadcast radio networks, U.S. radio operations, and digital operations. Its cable channel ESPN has 99 million subscribers, as does The Disney Channel and cable outlets A&E and History channel. Overseas operations include a 50 percent share in Indian entertainment conglomerate UTV Software Communications Ltd., European premium subscription channel Disney Cinemagic, and Hunagama, an Indian cable channel for children’s programming. Disney owns eight television stations in the U.S, six of them in the top 10 markets. Television production of half-hour comedies and one-hour dramas is done with independent writers, producers, and creative teams. The programs air on Disney networks or third party channels. Filming takes place in Burbank, Los Angeles and the Santa Clarita Valley. Returning shows for the 2011-12 television season include “Criminal Minds,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Cougar Town.” Disney has been a trailblazer with digital distribution by making its programming available through iTunes and the ABC website. — Mark R. Madler

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