Natpe gets dose of reality

The 52nd Natpe market and conference in Miami next year will include a day dedicated to reality TV, developed alongside the boss of format specialists The Gurin Company.

The new initiative, dubbed Natpe Reality, takes place on Tuesday January 20 and will feature panels, networking activities and a pitching session designed to showcase today’s top programmes and formats.

Natpe will also launch the first Reality Breakthrough Awards at next year’s event, which will recognise innovative content in five categories: reality, reality competition, gameshows, docusoap and factual.

The developments are the result of collaboration with Natpe’s Reality and Formats Advisory Board, which is headed by Phil Gurin, president of The Gurin Company, and Hans Schiff of Creative Artists Agency.

Confirmed session speakers include international formats experts such as ITV Studios’ Mike Beale, Zodiak Media’s Grant Ross and CBC Television’s Jennifer Dettman.

A second panel focusing on reality shows in syndication will include Fox Television Stations’ Stephen Brown, Debmar-Mercury’s Lonnie Burstein and NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution’s Valerie Schaer.