Customer Reviews

Global Television Marketplace (International Screen Industries)

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I've never written a review for Amazon before, but seeing as how I so often depend on them before buying a book I felt it was my duty to give back here. I gave this product a 5-star rating, maybe I would have given it a 4.5-star rating if it was possible.

I myself happen to work in the international television distribution field and so this book helped to illuminate a bit about the ins and outs of that field. A lot of what is written is in reference to what occurs at international markets such as MIPCOM, MIPTV and NATPE. If you've never been to one of these markets before then this book will help you to understand a little bit more about what goes on. However, a book will most certainly always have its limitations in explaining how these festivals and markets work.

The author himself writes the book with somewhat of an academic bent. In fact, the first few chapters seem very academic in the way they are written, citing many references to other papers written about the social, cultural and business interactions that occur within the field of international television acquisitions and distributions. In fact, the first few chapters are dragged down a bit by this overly academic approach, but later on the book eases and gives a more straightforward narrative. However, this shouldn't be looked down upon too much. It just goes to show that the author did his research. You just are not exactly sure whether or not the author has really been involved all that much business-wise in the field or if he has just hung out in the corners observing everything like a anthropologist/television-freak gone wrong.

That being said, the information and observation he makes about the international television marketplace have come from year and years and hours upon hours of interviews the author has done with various TV programming buyers and sellers from all over the world. This includes buyers from channels from Latin America channels, channels in the US and UK, Western European countries and especially in depth observations on emerging markets in Russia and other Eastern European countries who were once part of the Soviet Union / USSR / Soviet Bloc (sorry, trying to be a good internet reviewer and add in pertinent keywords). And while I'm at it, if you're doing any research on telenovelas or spanish-language programming of that sort, then this book will offer you some interesting facts, etc.

Again, if you've come across this book title through Amazon.com or Google or something, then chances are that you already have an interest in this fairly specific field. In which case, I would highly encourage you to buy this book. It's a pretty quick read and will give you a very good overview of the marketplace.

And just to be sure, I also want to say that I am in no way connected with the author or publisher or any interviewees mentioned in the book. I say this because it always pisses me off when I read other Amazon.com reviews and I can see that certain overly positive reviews have clearly been planted.

If there is anything negative I can say, or at least would suggest for complimentary literature, would be a book that specifically broke down the television industries of various countries. This would include chapters on "Television Channels in Africa," or "Television Industries in Africa" or very specific topics like that. If I ever find anything like that out there, then I will try to come here and revise this review to help those looking for those types of topics.

Take care!