Interview with 3net Head of Acquisitions Mark Ringwald
Phil Lelyveld
[3D Focus]
Mark Ringwald, who recently spoke at the “Creating a New 3D Experience” conference during MIPCOM, is in charge of acquiring new 3D programming for 3net- the Sony, IMAX and Discovery joint venture channel which launched in 2011
3D Focus: What is the state of the 3D content market right now from your perspective?
Mark Ringwald: Well I think it is increasing all the time. We seem to find a little bit more every conference; the people coming up to me are asking less – “what’s this 3D all about to?” to “what can I produce in 3D for you”? They are starting to come up with some great ideas and thinking how to use the 3D space creatively. That’s really important; they are beginning to think about how 3D can be an integral part of the storytelling.
3D Focus: In our last interview, you would not share audience figures? Can you share some now?
Mark Ringwald: We are still on DIRECTV which has about 19 million subscribers in the US, and about 10 million of those are HD subscribers which mean they can get 3net. Then it’s a calculus in your head as to how many have 3D TV sets in the US and the percentage of those who might be watching in on DIRECTV. …
3D Focus: Have you attracted any advertisers yet?
Mark Ringwald: Advertising at the moment is limited to just a few sponsorship spots of our programming but we are hoping that by the first quarter of next year to have a full 30 second to minute long spots running on the network. …
3D Focus: How do you price 3D content when acquiring new material?
Mark Ringwald: It’s tricky and it depends on a lot of factors. Producers are not only supplying content to us but to others in other deals. I think it’s a reasonable price for content if it’s only in the US depending on whether it’s exclusive television us or just exclusive 3D television in the US. …
See the full interview here: http://www.3dfocus.co.uk/mipcom-3d/interview-with-3net-head-of-acquisitions-mark-ringwald/5888
