BSkyB checks out L.A. Screenings

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Buffy Summers

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from variety.com

BSkyB checks out L.A. Screenings
Some Brit acquisition execs disappointed with pilots

By DEBRA JOHNSON

LONDON -- Despite reports that Blighty satcaster BSkyB's chief executive Tony Ball will be keeping a tight hold on the purse strings, acquisition execs will be out in force at the L.A. Screenings.
But with every U.K broadcaster chasing the same product -- one-hour dramas that play to young audiences -- competish will be tough and prices will be high, welcome news for the U.S. studios.

"We're determined to go to L.A. and buy the shows that we want. Tony Ball is very supportive of what we're trying to do which is to grow the business and we are going to have sufficient funds to acquire what we want," Dawn Airey, managing director of Sky Networks, told Variety.

Entertainment web Sky One relies predominantly on U.S. series such as "The Simpsons" to draw its largest audiences and is keen to find a replacement for "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" this year. But it is likely to boost its domestic production in the long term.

"It's nice not to be reliant on another country's decisions for your programming, however Sky One is known for having top shows from the U.S. and we absolutely intend to keep that positioning," said Airey.

"Sky One schedule is an enormous hungry beast and needs to be fed so we are looking for everything from 8 p.m. shows through to post 9 p.m. series. Anything sci-fi we're always interested in," adds Airey.

But many Brit acquisition execs are disappointed by the lack of interesting pilots on offer at the L.A Screenings. Sophie Turner Laing, director of film channels and acquisitions at BSkyB blames the U.S. networks fascination with reality for the lack of innovation.

"There's definitely a spate of 'CSI' look-a-likes scattered all over the pilots and there are remarkably few medical dramas, which is unusual."

And while Steven Bochco, who's back with "NYPD 2069" is a must-see says Blighty's buyers, a decision to acquire is "still contingent on casting," according to Turner Laing.
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If they know what is good for them they will pick up True Calling (assuming that all goes well) No doubt it will be heavily advertised and reported on in all the sci fi magazines, since it carries the weight of Eliza, who is a firm favourite with them.
 
Acks.. lets hope that TC gets enough positive reviews so Sky will be interested enough to pick it up. And yea defo with Eliza as main character should be just enough to ensure it lasting at least 1 series and more.. 🙂

Also, fans of Buffy will also want to see something with Eliza in.. cos yknow they will still kinda associate her with Faith..

Im not sure whether it sounds like it would fill the Buffy slot on Sky tho.. it sounds more adult show than Buffy was.. what ya reckon? And thats what they will be looking for.

Ayeee.. why has UK gotta be so behind.. I just wanna scream at them to pick the show up regardless!! muhahaa
 
Canadian LA Screening info.
http://www.backstage.com/backstage/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1896399

Nothing about any of the Canadian networks buying Tru Calling.
 
We just have to hope that someone in the uk is bright enough to pick this up. I live in hope If the scfi channel can show Firefly even after it was cancelled we may get to see Tru calling
 
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