MIPTV organisers reveal first batch of distributors signed up to reimagined market

All3Media, Discovery and Warner Bros. are among the distributors to have signed up for next year’s reimagined MIPTV market.

MIP organiser Reed Midem today (8 October) revealed 13 distributors and studios that have confirmed attendance at the April event.

The group includes Beyond International, Blue Ant Media, Deutsche Welle, Global Agency, Global Screen, KOCCA, Shoreline Entertainment, Studiocanal, TF1 Studios and TV France International, among others.

It is yet unclear whether the likes of BBC Studios, Endemol Shine International, Fremantle or ITV Studios Global Distribution will be at MIPTV. TBI understands that discussions are still underway.

Organisers have said it has made “significant changes” to the MIPTV programme, boosting the number of buyers at the market by 50%. It has also instituted an expanded content discovery programme that will prioritise screenings, as well as a market intelligence strand.

The new schedule will feature twice daily ‘exhibition only’ time slots, during which no conferences will be scheduled, as well as a series of curated content screenings and research sessions created in collaboration with buyers.

The MIPDrama Buyers Summit will also return for a sixth year on Sunday (29 March), with a similar event planned for factual, formats and kids genres. These screenings will take place each morning of the market.

The changes come just months after Reed Midem confirmed major changes to the layout of the market, which is moving all outdoor stands inside and concentrating the event across three floors, as first revealed by TBI. The changes initially sparked concern among several distributors concerned about their profile at the spring market going forward; however, some have welcomed a more cost-effective route into the event.

It is understood that discussions are ongoing between Reed Midem and a number of businesses around their attendance in Cannes.

Rachel Glaister, EVP of international brands and press for All3Media International, said: “MIPTV has always been an important event for us, so it is encouraging that Reed Midem is talking to the industry about how to respond to our changing needs. Regarding markets, our priority as a distributor is to showcase our programming to appropriate buyers effectively in conducive surroundings.

“The new format of MIPTV allows us to attend MIP more cost-effectively – and the organisers are working to ensure, as a matter of paramount importance, that the changes work for buyers.”

Geraldine Easter, director of programming and acquisitions at Nine Network, said: “It’s great to see that MIPTV is putting increased emphasis on business intelligence. The industry is changing so rapidly and we can all benefit from learning from best practises across increasingly complex international markets.”

Lucy Smith, deputy director of Reed Midem’s Television Division, said: “Our primary focus is to create a new experience that delivers a global content market for the future, for exhibitors and buyers. Our consultations showed the former want flexibility and cost effectiveness and the latter want access to fresh new content and exclusive market intelligence.

“The changes we have put in place have been co-created with them to offer exactly that. We are absolutely delighted that so many exhibitors have embraced the opportunities the new format offers and we are in active conversations with many more. Change is not always easy and we appreciate that we need to work closely with distributors so they can make the most of the new MIPTV, but we are hugely encouraged by the positive response from many of our partners and are confident that MIPTV 2020 will deliver the exhibition experience we need to support the industry now and in the future.”

MIPTV runs from 30 March to 2 April.