The realscreen team has finalized the dates for the 15th anniversary edition of Realscreen Summit. The top international market and conference for the non-fiction content industry will be held from January 27th to January 30th at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel. Last year’s Summit broke attendance records and was the first edition of the event to sell out in advance. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements next month!

Realscreen Summit, the definitive global market for non-fiction entertainment has officially sold out. We'd like to thank everyone who has signed up and we're looking forward to seeing you next week. If you missed the Summit, why not plan your next trip around the Factual Entertainment Forum in sunny Santa Monica, May 30th & 31st. Please note that for 2012, the Renaissance DC Hotel has been secured exclusively for use by delegates of the Realscreen Summit. Anyone not registered to attend the conference will be not admitted to the venue.

Only 50 conference passes remain for the 14th edition of the Realscreen Summit in Washington DC, January 29 - February 1. Registration is at an all-time high as the delegate list approaches 2,000 and looks set to hit capacity. What’s all the buzz about? The agenda is chock full of informative, relevant panel discussions, and ample opportunity to meet with programmers, producers and distributors in intimate settings. The host venue, the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, is accessible only to registered delegates. Only those displaying their official accreditation will be allowed on the premises and registration will not be permitted on-site. Please make sure you aren’t disappointed and register now before it’s too late. Register now for the entire conference, with access to provided meals and social events, for only $1550*. Add the half-day in-depth workshops on January 29 for only $325 more. Go to https://summit.realscreen.com/2012/register/ or contact Joel Pinto at 416-408-2300 x650 or jpinto@brunico.com.

The content at this year's Summit will not disappoint. Hear from A-listers in the industry on topics that are relevant and designed to drive your business and craft to the next level. Take What Men Want as an example. Many of the top-rated factual franchises emerging over the past few years have been decidedly testosterone-oriented: witness the success of History’s Ice Road Truckers and Top Shot, Discovery’s Deadliest Catch and Gold Rush: Alaska, and in the UK, the BBC’s Top Gear. But beyond gadgets, gold, guns and derring-do, what are the elements that keep males, a notoriously fickle audience, tuned in? What do men want to see in their non-fiction TV choices, and importantly, what don’t they want to see?

MODERATOR
Dimitri Doganis Founder & Managing Director Raw TV Ltd	Michael Cascio EVP Programming National Geographic Channel	Nancy Daniels EVP Production & Development Discovery Channel
Scott Gurney Owner Gurney Productions	Sharon Levy EVP Original Series Spike TV	Philip Segal President & Executive Producer Original Productions

Public broadcasting has long been regarded as one of factual programming’s best friends. In a multichannel and multi-platform world, the pubcaster’s battle for viewers is as hard fought as the battles for funding. How have public broadcasters evolved their factual strategies and output over the past few years, and how are they poised to bring non-fiction content to new audiences, in new ways? And are they looking for new voices to tell these stories? In Looking Ahead with the Pubcasters you’ll hear from international public broadcasters about their plans for the future of factual content on public airwaves and beyond.

MODERATOR
Jane Root Founder & Chief Executive Nutopia	Paula Kerger President & CEO PBS
Ralph Lee Head of Factual Channel 4	Kirstine Stewart EVP - English Services Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

In 1997, when realscreen magazine launched, it billed itself as the source for info "about the business of docs, infomags and lifestyle programming." Today, what falls under the non-fiction umbrella is a much wider scope of programming, ranging from factual entertainment formats to "capital D"  documentary and a lot of captivating content in-between. Non-fiction programming is becoming more of a staple for broadcasters and cable nets internationally, and it’s not only a TV phenomenon - a majority of the new niche channels coming to YouTube will be delivering non-fiction content. So now that we’re in this "golden age," what next? What created this wave, and how long will it last? The Golden Age of Non-Fiction promises a frank discussion on how non-fiction found its groove, and how producers and programmers can keep it hot.

The Realscreen Summit has extended the submission deadline for its popular pitch competition, "So You Think You Can Pitch."
The session takes place on January 31, 2012, offering brave producers the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of discerning industry judges. Now, producers and filmmakers have until Friday, January 6, 2012, to submit their projects. Prizes include a pass to the 2013 Realscreen Summit, a one-year subscription to CableU and a GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camera. The session, sponsored by CABLEready, provides an invaluable experience for participants as well as great entertainment and learning value for producers and broadcasters in attendance. Judges confirmed for the competition include Simon Andreae, SVP development and production, West Coast, for Discovery Channel; Bridget Whalen Hunnicutt, SVP of global development and production for National Geographic Channel; Gary Lico, president and CEO of CABLEready; and Brandon Riegg,vice president, alternative programming & development, NBC and Universal Television. To submit your project go to http://summit.realscreen.com/2012/pitchit/index.cgi!

You've seen annoucements regarding keynote speaker Lauren Zalaznick, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media. We've also told you about our special 'In Conversation' sessions featuring David Lyle, CEO of National Geographic Channel U.S. with Craig Piligian, executive producer & CEO of Pilgrim Films & Television; and Robert DeBitetto, President & General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel and Nancy Dubuc, President & General Manager of HISTORY & Lifetime Networks.
Meet now the panelists of the Trending TV session who will give the inside scoop on what's trending in the genre.  

So you think you can pitch? Here's your chance to prove it. Realscreen Summit's popular pitch competition, "So You Think You Can Pitch?" in association with our friends at CABLEready, returns on January 31, 2012. Don't miss the chance to pitch your project to a panel of discerning industry judges. Prizes include a pass to the 2013 Realscreen Summit, a one-year subscription to CableU and a GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camera. See who is left standing! The session, always standing room only at the Summit, provides an invaluable experience for participants as well as great entertainment and learning value for producers and broadcasters in attendance. This year's session will be hosted by the always entertaining Howie Mandel, executive producer and co-creator of Mobbed and Emmy-nominated TV personality.
Our discerning jury members include:
Enter for your chance to be selected as one of our pitching hopefuls. Full submission details as well as the required electronic entry form can be FOUND HERE. Deadline for submissions is this Friday, December 9. For any questions please email Event Producer, Heidi Rotter at hrotter@brunico.com. Please note, your submission will be considered only if you are a registered delegate of the Realscreen Summit.

Robert DeBitetto, president and general manager, A&E Network and BIO Channel and Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager, HISTORY and Lifetime Networks, kick off the Realscreen Summit's general programming for the day on Tuesday, January 31st, in a candid, entertaining and illuminating conversation that will impart takeaway about the programming strategies and plans for the channels under their purview, as well as their views on both the scripted and non-fiction industries as a whole. The session will be moderated by The Hollywood Reporter's senior TV writer, Marisa Guthrie.

Robert DeBitetto President & General Manager A&E Network and Bio Channel	Nancy Dubuc President & General Manager HISTORY and Lifetime Networks

Under DeBitetto's leadership, A&E has been transformed into a perennial top 10 network. In 2008, he spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive multi-platform positioning of the A&E brand around "Real Life. Drama," and his strategy to welcome younger viewers to A&E has doubled the size of the audience in the network's target demographics and radically decreased the network's median age. Since Dubuc assumed leadership of HISTORY in 2007, the network has experienced what can only be described as phenomenal growth, and now sits comfortably in the top five cable networks in all key demographics and is the number one factual entertainment network in the U.S. according to Nielsen's ranking of non-fiction cable nets (excluding sports nets). Adding Lifetime Networks to her portfolio just 18 months ago, Dubuc has overseen a new slate for 2011-2012 that has tripled the network's hours for scripted and unscripted programming.

Lauren Zalaznick, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media, will provide the opening keynote at the Realscreen Summit on Monday, January 30, 2012.

In this role, she oversees Bravo Media, Oxygen Media, Style, mun2, Sprout and Telemundo. In addition, she runs the digital properties DailyCandy and Swirl, Fandango, iVillage, Television Without Pity, and the Integrated Media Group, which includes the company-wide initiatives Green is Universal, Healthy at NBCU, Hispanics at NBCU and Women at NBCU.

Zalaznick, who started her career in media as an independent feature film producer, was named Chairman in January this year, when Comcast and GE completed a deal to create a joint venture consisting of NBCUniversal's businesses and Comcast's cable networks, regional sports networks, and certain digital properties.

In what promises to be an engaging and interactive presentation, Zalaznick’s opener is entitled A Case Study:  The Conscience of Television (revisited):  Why we "need" TV. Story, mis-en-scene, and characters are fundamental to what makes a "good show." But what makes a "hit show" is dependent on the fundamental emotional need-states that an unscripted entertainment show must fulfill to engage viewers. Over time, how do various economic, demographic, and life-stage factors dictate what we "need" from TV and ultimately change consumers' underlying TV viewing motivations?

It’s no secret that the Realscreen Summit has evolved into the definitive global market for non-fiction entertainment. As the list of speakers already confirmed and the stellar advisory board would indicate, the Summit, now in its 14th year, has captured the attention and investment of the A-listers in the space. That is backed up by the greatest sponsorship support in the event’s history. Sponsors include A+E Networks (returning as Marquee Sponsor), CABLEready, Discovery Communications, Getty Images, ITV Studios and truTV, all at the platinum level. Gold sponsors include AP Archive, Atlas Media, Cineflix Productions and National Geographic Channel, and APM Music, International Creative Management (ICM), Killer Tracks, Media Central, LLC/ Media Central Films and Zodiak USA are at the silver level. "The commitment of the industry to making the Realscreen Summit the ‘go to’ market for the business of non-fiction entertainment is encouraging, especially in this time of economic uncertainty," said Claire Macdonald, VP & Publisher, realscreen. "Some of our sponsors including CABLEready, Discovery and WPA have been with us since the first Summit in 1999 and have supported us ever since. It’s a testament to all of them that we’ve been able to grow this event to the global market it now is."

In our quest to keep content and networking opportunities fresh and engaging, we’re pleased to introduce some new faces to this year’s Realscreen Summit roster. Register now and gain unprecedented access to some of the most influential decision-makers in non-fiction entertainment through our "30 Minutes With...", Speed Pitching and Luncheon Roundtable sessions.

 So you think you can pitch? Well, here’s your chance to prove it. The Realscreen Summit’s highly anticipated and popular pitch competition returns on January 31, 2012, offering brave producers the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of discerning industry judges. The session, always standing room only at the Summit, provides an invaluable experience for participants as well as great entertainment and learning value for producers and broadcasters in attendance. The prize package includes a pass to the 2013 Realscreen Summit. Beat the deadline of December 9, 2011 and submit the entry form here. Good luck!

In the first of a series of announcements of high-profile industry executives and their participation in the 14th edition of the Realscreen Summit, we’re delighted to share that David Lyle, newly appointed CEO of National Geographic Channels U.S., will engage in an armchair conversation with Craig Piligian, CEO and Executive Producer at Pilgrim Films & Television.

INTERVIEWER	GUEST SPEAKER
Craig Piligian Executive Producer & CEO Pilgrim Films & Television	David Lyle CEO National Geographic Channels U.S.

Lyle transitioned from a West Coast development role at National Geographic Channels U.S. to CEO of the company, with responsibility for its global programming in early August. In a candid conversation with Piligian, the Emmy-winning producer of such shows as Dirty Jobs, American Choppers and Top Shot, Lyle will give insight into programming strategies for the channels.

The agenda will be going live within the next two weeks, but in the meantime here are a few more decision-makers who have already committed to hosting one of our signature "30 Minutes With..." sessions.

The agenda will be going live shortly, but in the meantime meet just a few of the decision-makers who have already committed to hosting one of our signature "30 Minutes With...".

Over the past few weeks we’ve introduced you to some of the industry heavyweights who’ve banded together to work with the realscreen team to deliver to you what we think will be the best Summit to date. It’s our pleasure to present you with four more top executives committed to shaping the content of the 14th edition of the most important non-fiction market and conference on the circuit.

Paul Buccieri Managing Director ITV Studios International	Paul Heaney President & Managing Director Cineflix International	Jane Root Founder & Chief Executive Nutopia	Bridget Whalen Hunnicutt SVP, Global Development and Production National Geographic Channel

Much of the success of Realscreen Summits past has come directly from the input and collaboration of the non-fiction entertainment industry's stakeholders and leaders through their participation as advisory board members. Realscreen is very excited to introduce to you some of the influencers who will be actively engaged in ensuring the content at this year's Summit is the most relevant and engaging yet. Robert DeBitetto, President and General Manager, A&E Network and BIO Channel, will be the Advisory Board Chair for the 14^th edition which takes place January 29-February 1, 2012 in Washington DC. DeBitetto manages a portfolio of cable networks for A+E Networks including the flagship A&E Network, BIO Channel and the Crime & Investigation Network, overseeing all creative and business matters including programming, marketing, P&L management, strategic planning, brand development, acquisitions, web content and public relations. As CEO, Zodiak USA, Grant Mansfield is charged with growing Zodiak Media Group's North American infrastructure and production. In his role, he oversees 50 full-time employees out of offices in both New York and Los Angeles and a production slate that includes Secret Millionaire and Celebrity Wife Swap for ABC; and Hardcore Pawn, All Worked Up and Lizard Lick Towing for truTV. Greg Moyer, Chief Creative Officer, Scripps Networks International, is responsible for guiding Scripps Networks' global business opportunities, creating and seeking joint ventures with knowledgeable distribution partners around the world. Since joining Scripps in 2009, Moyer has negotiated the successful launch of Food Network in the U.K.; Food Network and Fine Living Network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Food Network in Asia. Luis Silberwasser,  EVP and Chief Content Officer,  Discovery Networks International (DNI), is charged with leading DNI's production and development unit that focuses on developing global content for Discovery's portfolio of international networks in 210 countries and territories worldwide. Currently, Silberwasser is also overseeing the international roll out of TLC. More announcements will follow shortly introducing you to the board in its entirety.

Accommodations can now be reserved at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel for the preferred rate of $210/night. This offer is only available to registered delegates of the Realscreen Summit. Reservations can be made by using the online Passkey reservations system at https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.domode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=3604434 or by calling 1-800-266-9432 or 1-506-474-2009 and quoting "Realscreen Summit". If you know you'll be attending the Summit, which takes place January 29 - February 1, 2012, why not register now and save? You can register now for the entire conference, with access to provided meals and social events, for just $1050*. Add the half-day workshops on January 29, and the rate is $1,375.  The full conference and workshop rate is $1,875, so the savings are significant!  Go to https://summit.realscreen.com/2012/register/ to access this promotional rate or contact Joel Pinto at 416-408-2300 x650 or jpinto@brunico.com. Please note that this rate is in effect only until September 9, 2011. We'd also like to remind everyone that for 2012 our host venue, the Renaissance DC Hotel, has been secured exclusively for use by delegates of the Realscreen Summit.

Registration is now open for the 14th edition of the Realscreen Summit in Washington, D.C., taking place from January 29 to February 1, 2012, and if you register by September 9 you will save $500 off the full conference rate! The Realscreen Summit is dedicated to the development of business and creative opportunities for those in non-fiction and factual programming and content creation, and is widely regarded as the world's preeminent non-fiction conference. Networking opportunities, insightful panels featuring the brightest minds in the business, stellar keynotes and great parties are staples of the event and are all included in the basic registration. The 2012 advisory board will be announced in the next two weeks. For 2012, our host venue, the Renaissance DC Hotel has been secured in its entirety, exclusively for use by delegates of the Realscreen Summit. Only those people who have registered for the benefits that go along with the conference will be able to enjoy them, and anyone who is not registered to attend will be denied access. It also means that there are plenty of rooms available to our delegates at our preferred rate. There will be more to follow on the rates and room block in the coming weeks. You can register now for the entire conference, with access to provided meals and social events, for just $1050*. Add the half-day workshops on January 29, and the rate is $1,375. The full conference and workshop rate is $1,875, so the savings are significant! Go to https://summit.realscreen.com/2012/register/ to access this promotional rate or contact Joel Pinto at 416-408-2300 x650 or jpinto@brunico.com. Please note that this rate is in effect only until September 9, 2011. Stay tuned for upcoming programming announcements and news of the 2012 advisory board.