Nattering nabobs of NATPE
Confab's future up in air as syndies plot revolt
That was the question hanging over the National Assn. of Television Program Executives as its 39th annual sales confab wound down last week.
In trying to serve so many different constituents -- major domestic syndicators, overseas buyers and sellers, the advertising community, format specialists, and tiny U.S. producer-distributors, the non-profit org may actually be coming apart at the seams.
NATPE prexy Bruce Johansen believes the "seamless and global" event should be preserved, but there may simply be too many divergent interests among the org's membership to support one all-inclusive event.
The most glaring disconnect: Heavyweight Hollywood syndicators set up shop in suites at the Venetian Hotel instead of on the exhib floor, saying the expense and time of mounting a traditional NATPE presence has outlived its usefulness.
This mass defection coupled with a stubborn ad downturn at TV stations worldwide resulted in a drop in attendance of almost 35% from last year, topping out just shy of 10,000.
Attendees carped about elevator crowding at the Venetian as they tried to locate syndicators, who were spread among 33 floors. NATPE-goers equally decried the lack of sizzle on the convention floor.
"The show has been sucked out of showbiz," said one longtime attendee, commenting on the lack of celebs on hand. "It's now no different from a shoe salesmen's convention."
Things came to a head midweek when a tiff erupted between Warner Bros. and the NATPE organizers -- about a proposal for an alternative gathering focused on domestic syndication.
Though few wish to shout it, media consolidation has produced a situation in which six to eight companies now control 80%-90% of the domestic supply of syndie product -- while about half a dozen local station-group buyers determine what gets launched in syndication.
As one of this elite fraternity, Warner Bros. syndie topper Dick Robertson ruminated publicly Jan. 22 about setting up an informal event in November in L.A. in order to pitch station buyers. He also suggested another event, perhaps in March, to meet with advertisers in New York. That would mean forgoing the New Orleans confab in January 2003 altogether.
Hitting back, NATPE organizers criticized Robertson for spoiling their event and insisted they were exploring new options for the New Orleans confab.
As for the level of business conducted in Vegas by top guns such as Warners, Paramount and Twentieth at the Venetian, there were few surprises. Most of their shows had already been cleared on stations months ago.
One positive sign for programming is that for the first time in years, the likely strips for fall rep a wider range of genres and styles.
John Walsh and Rob Nelson, for example, will do single-topic, serious-issue shows; Wayne Brady and Caroline Rhea will host talk-variety shows; and "Beyond With James van Praagh" will venture into the psychic realm.
Warners' "Caroline Rhea" and Disney's "Wayne Brady" jockeyed for position, with the former inking a major deal during the show with eight ABC O&Os and received additional clearances in L.A. and Chicago. "Wayne" came into the show with a deal to replace "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" on the ABC stations.
Another firm go for fall is King World's "Dr. Phil," whose star Dr. Phil McGraw was one of the few celebs to put in an appearance. He showed briefly for one of the few parties held at this decidedly low-key, unglitzy event.
Accessible toppers
Twentieth TV topper Bob Cook echoed a common sentiment in pointing out that a lot of the top guys from major TV stations and key advertisers were on hand in Vegas -- and were more accessible than usual.
Cook's staff met with advertisers and agencies about collaborating on future programs, and Paramount huddled with cablers about the cable window on its upcoming "Life Moments," which is sold to the NBC stations.
Meanwhile, on the convention floor, at least a few exhibitors said they were satisfied with the level of business. Canada's Chum TV said it racked up a deal with China to export its zany Citytv format.
As for the pacing of the market, most companies pulled up stakes by the end of the day on Jan. 23, one day shy of the official close.
(Phil Gallo, Pamela McClintock, Barbara Scherzer and Elizabeth Guider contributed to this report.)
