Reed Midem launches virtual MIPTV with intelligence, programming & pitch sessions

MIPTV organisers Reed Midem have launched a virtual version of the annual content market, offering access to exclusive content across scripted and unscripted genres.

MIPTV ONLINE+ will be free to all those registered for MIPTV, MIPDoc and MIPFormats, which had been due to run at the 28 March to 2 April in Cannes. The events were cancelled earlier in March following the spread of Coronavirus across France.

The newly launched virtual event will launch online from 30 March and feature exclusive content originally programmed for the 57th edition of MIPTV.

MIPTV ONLINE+ will enable buyers to stream distributor programmes scheduled for the MIPTV Drama Buyers’ Summit and the MIPDoc Screenings Library.

The online service will also stream the In Development, MIPDoc and MIPFormats project pitches, as well as MIPTV’s exclusive market intelligence conference sessions, Fresh TV and the Factual and Kids Content Showcases.

Lucy Smith, deputy director of Reed Midem’s TV division, said: “Our clients are unable to come to MIPTV in Cannes, so we are bringing MIPTV to them.

“Starting on March 30, delegates from 94 countries will be able to interact with one another online and experience originally scheduled MIP programming from the comfort of their office or home. Nothing replaces face-to-face meetings, but MIPTV ONLINE+ content, networking and access to the international entertainment business community is totally unique.”

Reed added that the MIPTV online database, accessed via miptv.com, would also be available during the months ahead, allowing users to connect and interact.

MIPTV was among the first major TV events to be hit by Covid-19 when it was cancelled on 4 March but since then, almost all TV-related events have been axed. US studios Disney, NBCUniversal, Sony, ViacomCBS and Warner Bros have cancelled LA Screenings, while the 2020 edition of Series Mania in Lille, Austin-based SXSW, Cabsat in Dubai, and kids events such as Cartoons on the Bay are among numerous others to have been hit.

Industry launches have also been affected, with Disney calling off its European event for Disney+ and Quibi scrapping plans for its April 5 launch party in California. The streamer is due to go live on 6 April.