Craze yields to caution in tight-fisted era

BSkyB displayed its purchasing energy using its pricey purchase of privileges to 'Glee.'UKTV bought the privileges to NBCU drama 'Grimm.'Five years back, well-heeled U.K. webs regularly outbid each other to secure firstrun exclusive privileges towards the latest zeitgeist show in the U.S.It happened for "Buddies," "The Simpsons" and "Lost," to focus on several auctions by which prices shot with the ceiling to unparalleled levels.But as fears of the double-dip recession linger and broadcasters' budgets remain tight, a putting in a bid war has become the exception as opposed to the rule for British purchasers trying to strengthen their agendas.Prior to the recession, the galleries gained large benefits because the cost of premium shows jumped to $a million an hour or so and beyond.Our prime point was when Sky 1 bought ABC's 'Lost' from Funnel 4," recalls Theresa Smart, who runs her very own media working as a consultant within the U.K.Which was a never-to-be-repeated deal," she forecasts. "Across Europe -- and also the U.K. isn't any exception -- satellite and cable channels are purchasing increasingly more U.S. shows, while demand in the terrestrials has tended to flatten out."When "Glee" transformed hands in May, pay box BSkyB was reported to possess compensated 500,000 ($814,000) a chapter to secure the series from Funnel 4 niche web, E4.For that tv stations, anxious about ad revenues within an internet, the finish from the frenetic dealmaking seen prior to the recession is really a welcome trend. But because the "Glee" incident indicates, it's mistaken to claim that levels of competition are evaporating within the U.K. program purchases market. Or that the full-throttle putting in a bid war will not bust out soon between, say, BSkyB and Funnel 4, if the right show emerge -- regardless of the lowering probability of any "Lost"-style budget-breaking deals.By far the greatest spender within the U.K. purchases marketplace is BSkyB, whose revenues have defied the recession. After lately poaching "Mad Males" and "Nurse Jackie" in the BBC, plus "Glee" from E4, experts might conclude that BSkyB is near to monopolizing purchasing high-finish U.S. fare in Blighty.Permanently measure, the satcaster is the owner of the Cinemax catalog, with past, present and future U.K. privileges stitched up.Sky offers very deep pockets," states an adversary network professional. "If there's a show they would like to acquire, the odds are they will have it.InchGetting bought Virgin Media TV's funnel portfolio this past year, headed by Living TV, the paybox's requirement for a variety of acquired shows across genres is more than ever.You will find more channels that need shows, but we're still selective by what we buy," states BSkyB mind of purchases Sarah Wright. "We'll only buy when it's value.4 or 5 years back everyone was overpaying for shows. That is not happening now, but it's still a proper market."Captured, Funnel 4 came back towards the purchases market inside a large way -- not too it had ever withdrawn -- buying Warner Bros. comedy "2 Broke Women," the remake of "Charlie's Angels," political thriller "Homeland" and laffers "New Girl" and "Apartment 23."With "Your Government" no more area of the agendas and "Buddies" poached by Comedy Central, Funnel 4 required to fill lots of slots, especially on E4.UKTV, now co-possessed by Scripps, doesn't have Funnel 4's financial firepower, but it's proving itself to be a pressure to become believed with when it comes to purchasing high-profile U.S. shows. Last fall, it clicked up ABC crime saga "Body of Proof" and, urged through the skein's perf, lately bought NBCU drama "Grimm."'Grimm' is our greatest acquisition up to now," states Catherine Mackin, UKTV's chief buyer. "We are trading more in U.S. shows, but they need to be suitable for what's nowadays a ten-funnel portfolio.Things to know about the present crop of U.S. shows is the fact that I believe there's something for everybody. We're always searching for the great finds.InchAssociated LINKS: Mipcom drama purchasers choose carefully Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com