ABSTRACT
This chapter is about entertainment TV production and distribution. Entertainment TV caters to mass market broadcast audiences, and smaller niche audiences (such as the 16–24 market). Each of these is attractive to advertisers, in different ways. Entertainment titles are both local and global, and high margin is generated by their syndication as formats. The entertainment genre is studied through the four stages of media value creation: Development, Production, Distribution and Monetisation. Development slates are created by small teams in production companies, at low cost. Production requires third party funding and cash flow, from a TV channel, streamer or distributor. This is optimally combined with both production expertise and rigorous cost control. Distribution is principally on TV, though streamers have also entered the market (e.g., Disney+ took Dancing with the Stars from ABC in 2022). Monetisation is achieved initially in a single territory via a broadcast or streamer funder. Once a format is a proven success, it can scale rapidly around the world as a format, producing substantial rewards for its creators or (in the case of streamers, most likely) IP owners. The chapter finishes with an analysis of the hit South Korean format The Masked Singer, and how it was rolled out around the world.
