PARIS -- The worldwide sales of French television programming, which have been reeling under the impact of the global economic downturn for the last four years, finally picked up in 2004.

"Things looked much better in 2004, and we are set to post a positive sales result for the first time since 2001," TV France International executive director Mathieu Bejot said in an interview.

"The general feeling is that business has taken a turn for the better, with the bottom line looking good," he added, predicting an increase from the €104.3 million ($127.5 million) in international sales recorded in 2003.

Conversely, the results for co-production and pre-sales, which registered an 8.6% increase to €134.4 million ($164.3 million) in 2003, buoying the negative sales figure, "have not been spectacular for 2004," Bejot said. "Figures released by state-funding body CNC ahead of MIP TV show an overall drop of 13% in co-productions and presales, with presales going up and co-productions falling. Our figures are slightly different, with the drop being significantly less."

The state-funded French TV program exports body will release last year's figures Sept. 6 at "Le Rendez-Vous," its annual French TV screenings event which runs Sept. 5-9 in St. Tropez.

The economic recovery in Western European countries -- which account for more than two-thirds of French exports -- and an upturn in the German market, France's main export partner, have contributed to the improved sales figures Bejot said. But another positive development last year were the high ratings that French programs achieved at home, which, he notes, has contributed in no small measure to their success abroad.

"Lately, the success of French drama in Italy, for instance, has been tremendous, spurred on by their success in France," Bejot said. "When programs do really well in France, it's a good guarantee for broadcasters that they will work in other countries. "

Channels like Mediaset's Rete 4 regularly screen popular French cop dramas such as "Une Femme D'Honneur" (A Woman of Honor) and "Les Cordier, Juge et Flic" (Cordier and Son, Judge and Cop); soaps including "St. Tropez," and TV films based on literary classics including "Dangerous Liaisons," "Les Miserables" and "The Count of Monte Cristo."

French drama, which has traditionally been handicapped internationally by its 90-minute format, and which accounted for 20% of total sales in 2004, has received a recent boost and is expected to score "neck and neck" with the documentary genre this year -- documentaries made up 23.1% of sales in 2003, and have remained "rather flat" in 2004.

"We have yet to see the full impact of recent changes in the fiction genre, but our chances of selling drama abroad will definitely increase with the announcement of several projects using the 52- minute format," Bejot said.

Animation remains France's top-selling genre, and performed well in 2004, after some tough years, with the number of hours produced in France dwindling and market share of total exports slipping from a record 44.8% in 2001 to 36.7% in 2003. "There's been a definite recovery in the genre, and much stronger results expected," Bejot said.

"We've had an excellent year," added Emmanuelle Bouilhaguet, in charge of international sales and co-productions at Marathon, the production house that made the hit show "Totally Spies," which rakes in more than two-thirds of the company's export revenue.

"The show, about French girls in miniskirts and berets is based in Beverly Hills, has sold in 200 countries and is equally popular with boys and girls," she says. "The fact that 'Totally' airs on primetime on the Cartoon Network has made all the difference," Bejot said.

"When a show does well in the U.S., it adds a lot of credibility and exposure to the French series, making it easier to sell in Mexico, Russia and Japan, and helping with the show's merchandising," he added.

Sales to North America, including French-speaking Canada, which accounted for more than 15% of total sales in 2003, are expected to increase in 2004. American interest in French programs remains confined to the animation and documentary genres.

TVFI, which facilitates international co-productions besides hosting international showcases for French programs, expects a 20% increase in attendance at the St. Tropez event this year.

TVFI, whose 145 member companies account for 85% of French TV exports, will offer 681 programs at the screenings, 66% of which is new programming. More than 215 executives representing 180 television channels from 47 countries are confirmed to attend, with 60 French producers and distributors presenting their films directly to international buyers, organizers said.









Jury selection begins for Robert Blake civil trial

AP Photos LA101-105

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By LINDA DEUTSCH

AP Special Correspondent

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- Actor Robert Blake, who was acquitted of his wife's murder 5 1/2 months ago, returned to court Monday for jury selection in a civil trial that seeks to hold him responsible for the killing of Bonny Lee Bakley.

Seventy prospective jurors were summoned for the civil case in which Bakley's four children are suing Blake and his former handyman, Earle Caldwell, for wrongful death.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David M. Schacter emphasized to the prospects that the nature of a civil case is different than a criminal trial.

"It's very important to realize this is a civil case. Everything you do in your private life could wind up in civil court. This is something that could happen to every one of us," he said.

He also told the prospects not to expect a trial like ones they see on television.

"Cut out anything you've seen on TV and in the law shows," he said. "They're cartoons."

In this case, he said, "What you have is a professional trial put on by professional attorneys."

The judge asked each prospect if they knew of Blake, were familiar with his previous trial and heard anything recently that might influence their opinion.

Those initially questioned said they were aware of the criminal case and followed it sporadically, but none said they had extensive knowledge.

Blake and Caldwell sat with their lawyers and stood to be introduced to the prospective jurors.

Bakley, 44, was shot in 2001 as she sat in Blake's car outside a restaurant where they had dined. Blake has asserted that he had re-entered the restaurant briefly and found his wife shot when he returned to the car.

Blake did not testify in the criminal trial, which ended in mid-March with the jury acquitting him of murder and other charges. Caldwell was initially charged in the criminal case but was dismissed as a defendant.

In the civil case the jury need only determine that there is a preponderance of evidence to find the defendants liable for damages, unlike the criminal case, which required proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Schacter read to the prospects 200 names of potential witnesses including TV personalities Barbara Walters and Larry King, and Christian Brando, son of the late actor Marlon Brando.

Many names were familiar from the criminal case, including stuntmen who worked with Blake and accused him of soliciting his wife's murder, and witnesses who saw him at Vitello's restaurant the night Bakley was killed.

Attorney Eric Dubin, who represents the Bakley children, told reporters outside court, "I'm going to try to show the real Bonny Lee Bakley, a mother of four beautiful children."

He said the difference in the standard of proof means that "I don't have to put a gun in Robert Blake's hand to show he's responsible."

Dubin said another difference is that he can call Blake and Caldwell to testify.

"It's a different case with Mr. Blake taking the stand," he said.

Dubin acknowledged that Blake offered to settle the case for $250,000 and that he rejected the offer.

Asked if he would be satisfied if jurors were to find that amount was all that the family was entitled to receive, Dubin said, "Yes, if it came with a tag saying that Robert Blake is a murderer."

But he acknowledged that the jury will not be asked to decide if Blake murdered Bakley, only whether he is liable.