Disney may hold European screenings

Disney-ABC may hold a special screenings event in Europe to showcase new series in the autumn.

Disney, like all the major US production studios, had few pilots to show broadcasters at this year's LA Screenings sales event because of the delay caused by the writers' strike.

Tom Toumazis, managing director of Disney-ABC International, said he expected networks to have picked up several more shows by the autumn, which the company can then offer to overseas buyers.

"I’m very optimistic we’re going to have another three or four network shows to present to all our clients," he said. "Then what we’ve got to figure out is how we do that.

"I like the idea of taking our shows to our markets, and at the same time, I also like the idea of bringing a collection of buyers together. We may do a little bit of both."

One option is said to be a screenings event in Turkey.

ABC Studios shows currently in development that could be picked up by the autumn include dramas Finnegan and The Prince Of Motor City and comedy Bad Mother’s Handbook.