English
New 8 alliance’s impact on European TV: collaboration, financing, and strategy
The role of public service broadcasters in European television production was the focus of a discussion on the New 8 alliance, a collaboration between eight major European networks aimed at strengthening co-productions and financing high-quality scripted content.During the session, Marc B. Lorber, Executive Producer at The Art of Coproduction, highlighted that 55% of the funding for scripted dramas comes from these broadcasters, underlining their influence in the industry. Representatives from networks such as ZDF and NRK discussed how New8 enables faster financing processes and the exchange of creative strategies among its members. The discussion also touched on the possibility of expanding the alliance, with the BBC mentioned as a potential future participant.
New8’s financing model is based on public funding support and pre-acquisition agreements, which facilitate the feasibility of productions across multiple territories. While some industry professionals raised concerns about the potential effects on acquisition budgets, participants largely agreed that the initiative plays a key role in sustaining European storytelling on a broader scale.
LC