ITV2 shops for laughs in LA

LA SCREENINGS: Angela Jain, director of digital channels and acquisitions for UK broadcaster ITV, tells Michael Pickard what she’ll be looking to pick up in LA this week.

“Our flagship channel ITV1 is busy growing its own series, but that’s not to say it’s not in the market for a US series. It absolutely is, but it has to be something that feels very special and bright for the ITV1 audience.

“But primarily the buyer is ITV2, a young-skewing channel for ages 16-34. Honestly, we’re looking for anything. It could be comedy, sitcom or drama. Because it’s for a younger audience, it’s less likely to be procedural, more likely to be a young-skewing drama and because there seems to be a lot more comedies this year, maybe we could pick one or two of those.

“We missed out last year so I feel quite keenly it would be nice to come away with something this year. It really depends on what you see. One drama would be nice, maybe one or two comedies. It really depends on the strength of what you see, but I would like to buy something.

“All our US series on ITV2 including Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries are returning, nothing has been cancelled. US acquisitions don’t really fit on ITV3, which feels very much the home of quality British drama. And we buy smaller stuff for ITV4 like Whisker Wars, but not the flagship American dramas or sitcoms, which are really for ITV2.

“The comedy thing is the most interesting theme this year and one I’m quite keen to be able to follow up. Just reading the synopses, there definitely feels like there are more comedies this year and it will be interesting to see them. The comedy theme also chimes with broadcasters in the UK commissioning more original British comedy so it seems to be a global trend.”