In an exclusive interview I spoke with Patricia Scholtemeyer, M-Net CEO about the exciting developments at the pay broadcaster and how M-Net is weathering the storm as a broadcaster in a very fast changing TV industry rocked by a global recession and a digital revolution.
Amongst the things discussed, Patricia Scholtemeyer talked to me about how M-Net is adapting by further closing the gap between the broadcasting dates of TV shows in America and showing it to South African audiences, the development of an innovative new soapie for the channel, and why Nigeria and the SABC is important to M-Net.
For my complete must-read interview with Patricia Scholtemeyer and her thoughts on M-Net, click on READ MORE below.
M-Net is showing a lot of the international shows closer and closer to the American air dates, for instance shows like American Idol and the best drama series. Managerially, logistically – and there must be certain cost implications – why is M-Net constantly pushing that ever closer? How close can South African viewers expect M-Net to show hit overseas TV? What is M-Net's strategy with this?
Well, clearly you've picked up that that is our plan. We're trying to get our release dates on air as close as possible to the US release dates. The reasons are obvious. It's because of new technology. Because of the internet and people being able to stream they can have the content sooner, so that is a deliberate effort on our side. And what we're going to try and do over time is to get it as close as possible. Which I think makes absolute sense to try and shorten those windows as we call them.
And how does that make it harder for a broadcaster like M-Net? If you look at Desperate Housewives that's on now, last year's season would have an episode in America and literally seven days later M-Net would show it in South Africa. Now it's the case again and it's even more extreme. Is it extra work for people?
It's not so much extra work for people, it's just actually more the technical logistics that we have to adapt. It's more a technology thing than a people thing. We are actually putting in the systems and structures to be able to do that. We're getting ourselves geared for that and getting ourselves ready for that. It is working and really there should be no problem with that.
In broad strokes what is M-Net looking at in terms of aims and challenges: what will M-Net perhaps be focusing on more regarding issues like content development?
Our focus for the year is really on three things. Firstly I would say we're going to be very, very focus on our developments in Africa as a whole. We're putting some very interesting plans together for specifically Nigeria. We are looking at some content and infrastructural changes in our operations there. We really want to expand in Nigeria. We've seen huge growth in Nigeria the last two or three years and we see no reason why that growth should not continue. That's a very interesting market for us. Then in South Africa we're working on the development of a new local soap which I think will be something really unique that the viewers can look forward to in South Africa because it will have elements that haven't been seen before in this country. I'm told it's not a first in the world, I'm told it's a second. Apparently there was another soap done in a similar vein in the UK some years back which was very successful. So that's very exciting for us because that's a whole new ball game. And we're hoping to take TV soaps to a new level in this country. That's a very big project for us which we're very excited about. Of course Idols will also be coming back this year. We're very excited about doing a new season of Idols which is going to be even better than before. Obviously we just want to continue to give the incredible international content that we do, have it closer to the release dates of the US and just continue to do what M-Net does really, really well, which is have that combination package of the best international and the best local shows in a highly entertaining way.
From my perspective and I think people would agree, last year was a very difficult year for TV broadcasters globally, as well as in South Africa. How's M-Net weathering the storm, especially given all the tumultuous changes in the TV industry? How is M-Net placed to continue to operate in this industry in flux?
In certain areas M-Net is as vulnerable as other broadcasters are, especially when it comes to technology. I think all broadcasters stare their business models in the face when it comes to how video is going to be delivered in the future. And we're all grappling with it. Everyone's grappling with it worldwide, and we're no different. We haven't yet found the answer and we're trying to find it as is everyone else. I think that it is going to be one of the biggest challenges for broadcasters, how they develop along those lines. In terms of the local scenario, there's been a recession, it's hit advertising, it's hit viewer numbers. I think we're weathering the storm fairly well. Yes, we've been affected, but I think our content carried us through from a subscriber point of view. On the advertising side, yes, we've seen our numbers drop slightly. But we're confident that it will turn and that it will come back and M-Net still offers the best value for money and as a broadcaster M-Net is weathering the storm a bit better than print.
Lastly, I think the industry knows it but viewers haven't realized or seen it yet, but it will become more glaringly obvious towards middle June: when there is a lot of soccer on, and not much other local television on the SABC channels because production basically shut down towards the end of last year because of budget cuts at the public broadcaster. Is there something that you can tell the industry and viewers as a message from M-Net why M-Net is maybe going to remain, or become an even bigger and better, and more attractive alternative for people to turn to regarding television in South Africa?
Look, I really don't want to get into a situation where I say to viewers we can do X,Y,Z better than the public broadcaster. The public broadcaster is so important to the country as a whole. In fact, what I would rather like to do is turn that question around and say you know what, if there is anything that M-Net can do to assist the public broadcaster in delivering on their mandate to the public, then I would be more than willing to do that, because public broadcasting and the public broadcaster is very important. Also, the target audiences we serve and the type of content we provide and our mandate for broadcasting is so different. I would rather help them if I can, but whether they want help remains to be seen.
