Canadian buyers heading to mip-tv have needs as closely targeted as the various channels for which they are buying.

As vp of programming and production, Paula Parker programs children’s channels ytv, Treehouse and new Category 2 (that is, not guaranteed carriage) digital channel Discovery Kids. ytv recently launched an evening block skewed slightly older than its regular audience (primarily ages six to 11), and is in the market for programming targeted to tweens. Treehouse targets kindergarten-aged kids, but in both cases, Parker says, ‘I’m not particular if it’s live action or animation. What I’m always looking for is the best creative I can find – something unique and different to offer viewers. There has to be value back; we’re looking for positive value to give to the audience.’

Even material for the more obviously educational Discovery Kids ‘has to be a lot of fun,’ says Parker. ‘It has to stimulate the audience.’ Crucially, it also has to be predictable given its young audience – Parker favors series as a means of stripping in a viewing pattern for the initial six- to eight-hour rotating programming wheel.

When it comes to fees, Parker says the 300,000 viewer base expected for the launch of Discovery Kids ‘impacts budgets for acquisition,’ but she would not disclose acquisition figures.

At the other end of the spectrum are more established broadcasters with very specific needs, such as Bravo! and Space: The Imagination Station, both represented by director of programming and acquisitions Isme Bennie. For Space, she is looking for ‘one-off specials on ufos and the paranormal. We’re always shopping for those; there’s not much room for anything else.’

Bravo!, the Canadian home of Sex and the City, ‘one of our biggest hits,’ says Bennie, is in the market for an ‘edgy, different’ late-night show in a similar vein. On the other hand, she’s also looking for ‘a big performance spectacular with major singers, dancers, what have you, for example, if you took Liza Minelli and Pavorotti and a cast of thousands and [they] performed in front of the Eiffel Tower. Some amazing spectacular event with really big-name performers – I really need that kind of thing.’

Barbara Williams, senior vp of lifestyle programming for Alliance Atlantis Communications (aac), is looking principally for programming for channels Life Network and The Health Network (she also buys for HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada). Life’s needs include ‘cinema verite that follows a story – reality-based family stuff that shows real people and real things. Reality tv, but the kinder, gentler side,’ says Williams.

Meanwhile, ‘Health is looking at one-offs and limited series and for things that are cutting edge: new technology, new discoveries, things happening around the world in the health field told in a dramatic way. We’re not looking for tips and advice; we need bigger stories than that around medicine.’

Sydney Suissa, aac’s senior vp of factual programming, will be on the lookout for material for History Television. ‘My primary focus is on finding good one-offs that look at the history of the 20th century and limited series [with two to six episodes].’

Susanne Boyce, president of ctv programming, has simple taste: ‘To be honest, [I’m looking for] the next best show.’ She points to, for example, shows the likes of West Wing, The Associates and The Sopranos. ‘We’re looking for the creative. For us, it has to be high quality.’