Reed Midem explores separate bookings for MIPTV, MIPCOM

MIP organiser Reed Midem is making good on promises to “reimagine” its spring and autumn markets, and is to allow exhibitors to book separately for MIPCOM and MIPTV.

While the organiser has told TBI it will unveil full plans in July, it is understood that Reed Midem has begun reaching out to select attendees – largely US studios – with plans to separate the events in time for MIPTV 2020.

Exhibitors have long complained that they must dish out large sums to have a presence in Cannes and hold their stands for both markets, despite wanting to attend only one of them.

This year, the absence of companies such as BBC Studios, Endemol Shine International and Fox was stark, adding to the already missing stands of major US studios such as Disney and Sony.

One US studio exec who no longer attends MIPTV tells TBI: “Our business is changing and our business is a year-round business, not a once or twice-a-year business. There is a specific reason around the time of the LA Screenings because it comes right after the Upfronts and when broadcasters reveal their schedules, so there is a very clear, specific business reason why that makes sense.

Our business is changing and our business is a year-round business, not a once or twice-a-year business.

“Our investment primarily has been in developing a distribution infrastructure and opening offices around the world. That’s not a once or twice-a-year thing, that’s a daily thing. So the choice as to where to invest will go into that, and de-emphasising the one or two moments in the year apart from the LA Screenings.”

April’s MIPTV market served as a turning point for organisers, with Reed Midem’s director of television Laurine Garaude telling TBI in Cannes that, “We are looking to reimagine the exhibition for an entirely new kind of experience”.

However, exhibitors remain concerned about what exactly that experience will entail.

As revealed by TBI in April, Reed Midem has been approaching distributors with stands outside the Grand Palais with proposals to move inside the building for forthcoming editions of the spring market — a proposition that has been unpopular with many business.

In its recent correspondence with select attendees, it is believed that Reed Midem has promised a “redesigned exhibition space”.

Garaude said at the time that such a move is “not about moving people” but, rather, creating something “entirely new” for MIPTV.

Addressing the official split between MIPTV and MIPCOM, a spokesperson for Reed Midem said: “There are some ongoing communications between [Reed Midem] and clients. There has not been an official letter sent. We will be announcing more in July.”