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The incoming channel director at Sweden’s SBS Television is planning to shake things up by taking more risks with new formats in the search for the next global hit.
Calle Jansson will take charge of Kanal 5 and Kanal 9 this autumn, and will also be responsible for channel content, positioning, strategy and development.
He is joining the broadcaster after six years at Modern Times Group-owned prodco Strix Television. Jansson told C21 he will bring the “creativity and energy” of the production sector into his new role as he looks to find new format hits.
“It’s a global problem with new formats not coming out,” he said. “On the broadcasting side we tend to go with a proven track record. What I’ve seen during the last six years in both scripted and non-scripted is the passion behind new ideas and I will put that energy into challenging the requirement that formats must have a proven track record.
“A lot of broadcasters face the same challenge because there aren’t any more proven formats out there. Sometimes you need to give new formats a chance.”
Jansson will join SBS with more responsibilities than those of his predecessor, programming director Lars Beckung, who stepped down last month.
He said the broadcaster has created a good platform on which to build, backed by parent broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1.
“Kanal 5 has been growing since 2000 and has wonderful acquisitions. They have the best US shows and are hitmakers when it comes to local productions,” said Jansson.
“I see the mix [of home-grown formats and acquisitions] working fantastically. That will be something we’ll continue to protect to ensure it’s a future success.”
