ITV

Category: Mipcom

  • Warner Bros. Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler to give opening keynote at MIPCOM CANNES

    Warner Bros. Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler to give opening keynote at MIPCOM CANNES

    Mumbai: MIPCOM CANNES has announced that Warner Bros. Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler, will give the opening keynote in Cannes at the 39th edition of the International Co-Production & Entertainment Content Market (16-19 Oct). The keynote will be presented as a fireside chat in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Monday 16 October at 11.15.  

    A revered and accomplished executive on the international stage, Zeiler’s keynote comes almost 20 years after being honoured as MIPCOM’s Personality of the Year in 2004 when CEO of RTL Group.

    Zeiler is expected to share insight into Warner Bros. Discovery’s transformation post-merger as well as lay out the company’s worldwide content and streaming strategy. Zeiler’s responsibilities for Warner Bros. Discovery spans strategic oversight of brands and joint responsibility for direct-to-consumer activity (including streaming service Max) across more than 220 markets; he is also responsible for local theatrical production, acquisitions, and country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Originally appointed to the role in 2020, Zeiler’s remit extended to Discovery Inc. ‘s footprint in April 2022 following the close of the Discovery/WarnerMedia merger.

    “We could not have a more relevant creative leader to be our opening Media Mastermind Keynote,” said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES. “…with the industry at a pivotal point and global companies re-inventing for a new era. His presence at MIPCOM CANNES is a rare opportunity for entertainment execs to go inside the international strategy at the heart of one of the world’s biggest and fastest-evolving studios. A valued and hugely respected contributor to the market over several decades, his perspective on weathering such storms will be invaluable. We look forward to welcoming Gerhard Zeiler warmly to the Croisette in October.”  

    Zieler said, “Our industry is facing heightened disruption and undergoing a process of transformation. These are times of change but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to architect the media ecosystem for the next generation. I’m looking forward to speaking at MIPCOM about how WBD is putting storytelling first and refining and innovating to drive agility and flexibility to emerge in an even stronger position.”

    More than 250 exhibitors from over 40 countries are confirmed to date for MIPCOM CANNES – the mother of all entertainment content markets – in 2023. Riviera exhibition halls and outdoor Croisette beach exhibition areas are sold out with an initial exhibitor line-up comprising major studios, production and distribution groups (including All3Media International, Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, Banijay Rights, BETA Film, FOX Entertainment Global, NBCUniversal International, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Federation Studios, France tv distribution, Fremantle, Global Screen, ITV Studios, The Mediapro Studio, Mediawan, Movistar+, Red Arrow Studios International, STUDIOCANAL, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery and ZDF Studios amongst many others).

    MIPJUNIOR also returns to the JW Marriott in the weekend heading into MIPCOM CANNES (13-15 Oct) with a brand-new half-day pre-opening programme beginning at 14.00 on Friday (13 Oct).

    The week-long MIPCOM CANNES conference programme helps define the TV industry year with keynotes from leading global players and thought-leaders, screenings of highly anticipated series and exclusive research presentations.

    Conference programme schedule: here. 

  • TV viewership up in European market, existing formats adapt to new normal

    TV viewership up in European market, existing formats adapt to new normal

    KOLKATA: With shelter-at-place directives in effect, TV consumption has gone up globally. Along with an uptick in the number of viewers, viewing time has also increased during the Covid2019 crisis.

    During a presentation at Mipcom 2020, Glance VP Frédéric Vaulpré explained how the pandemic had an impact on TV audiences, and also influenced content production and release in 2020.

    "All over the world, viewers have increased in number and have become more devoted to the programs that they watch," said Vaulpré.

    He went on to illustrate how being made to stay indoors led to an increase in television viewing times. Five European Union countries – France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Finland – and the UK recorded a significant rise in viewing time. An increase of 7 minutes, 10 minutes, 12 minutes, 19 minutes, 23 minutes, 35 minutes was clocked in Finland, Germany, UK, Spain, France, Italy respectively in January-July 2020 compared to the corresponding period last year. People gradually being released from lockdowns did have a slight effect on TV viewing times.

    Read our coverage on Mipcom

    Glance head of content insight Avril Blondelot noted that 10 per cent of the productions launched in 2020 are linked, in one way or another, to the health crisis. International co-production, particularly in Europe, also witnessed an upward surge this year, nearly double compared to last year. However, there is less certainty regarding international co-production on new shows having held during the months of lockdown.

    Many existing content formats had to be adapted to the new normal. With restaurants shut, chefs retreated into their homes and filmed cooking shows in their own kitchens. In France, Cyril Lignac’s Tous en Cuisine saw good uptake. Many fitness shows were also launched with in-home exercises. Non-scripted programming like reality shows also adapted to the current situation.

    Among popular genres, thriller shows maintained their sheen during the pre- and post-Covid period. For instance, Netflix’s reality-bending thriller Dark (a wholly German production) was not just popular in Europe but made big waves in India too.

    Despite production complications, a number of travel shows went on air and audiences, perhaps to make up for their own stymied holiday plans, eagerly tuned into these programmes. Due to international travel bans in place in many countries, travel shows turned to explore domestic locales. The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, a popular travel show in the UK, was formatted to Misadventures from My Sofa. Game shows too retained their popularity.

    What is a more interesting trend is that video games have emerged as a new source of inspiration for content creation. Streaming services, as well as linear TV channels, have launched shows inspired by popular gaming IPS. Netflix is ready to begin production on season 2 of its wildly popular live-action adaptation of The Witcher. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video and Showtime are adapting two of the most lucrative game franchises of all time – Fallout and Halo respectively.

  • Mipcom Online Plus attracts sizeable Indian presence

    Mipcom Online Plus attracts sizeable Indian presence

    MUMBAI: Mipcom began its virtual edition of the annual content syndication get together on 12 October. Titled Mipcom Online+, it is based on a high end artificial intelligence driven platform called Grip, developed by a sister tech firm under Relx group, of which organiser Reed Midem is a part.

    The virtual exhibition has proved to be a smash hit with more than 6,000 professionals – including 800 virtual exhibitors and 26 country pavilions – and 2,200 buyers participating virtually from 100 countries.

    Reed Midem was initially considering to run both digital and physical versions in Cannes like it has done for decades, but dropped the idea because of the continuing Covid2019 menace. It pivoted quickly and, over a month, attracted sizable participation – probably the most by a trading market in its online avatar in 2020.

    Read more news on Mipcom 

    “We are very pleased to be receiving strong support from the industry which is quite excited about meeting online in the current international environment when meeting in person from around the world is not yet possible,” said Reed Midem TV division director Laurine Garaude. “We are, of course, sad not to be meeting in Cannes for the 36th Mipcom. But we are also excited about the new Mipcom experience that we are creating online.”

    Mipcom Online Plus has attracted several initiatives and partners such as Korea Country of Honour, A&E Networks, Nippon TV, Sony and Televisa.

    The highlight of this year’s edition is the continued presence from the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) virtual pavilion, with more than 12 companies coming under its umbrella and taking advantage of the cost benefits it offers.

    “Mipcom is one of the important markets we have identified to help push Indian entertainment exports,” says SEPC chairman Manek Dawar. “We wanted to be aggressive, but we will wait for next year’s edition in Cannes and really fire on all cylinders.”

    SEPC has roped in content export veteran Hirachand Dand to spearhead its entertainment division. The online SEPC initiative is being headed by SEPC deputy director general Abhay Sinha.

    Overall, more than 70 executives from India’s media and entertainment sector – covering TV, TV production, animation, distributors of TV shows and films, dubbing services – are taking part in Mipcom Week which is slated to end on 16 October. However, the platform will be open for screenings, virtual meetings, networking and matchmaking till 17 November.

    “I am really delighted with the India presence at Mipcom Online Plus,” says India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh representative Anil Wanvari. “Content syndication and trading has been at a low because of Covid2019. For many companies it is a crucial revenue stream. I am really hoping the next few days and weeks will help kickstart this engine for India’s content folks.”

  • SEPC pavilion makes waves at MIPCOM 2018

    SEPC pavilion makes waves at MIPCOM 2018

    CANNES: It was indeed a historic moment for India’s content creation, distribution and broadcast industry at this year’s MIPCOM which concluded at Cannes, France on 18 October 2018. More than 300 Indian delegates swarmed the French Riviera village – the largest delegation in the Reed Midem market-cum-festival’s history.

    The highlight of the market was the first ever Indian pavilion which had around 38 companies registered on it, the screening of Eros Now’s digital series Smoke, the presence of Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada and Zee Entertainment’s Sunita Uchchil on a panel which discussed how Asia was developing.

    What generated the most oohs and aahs was the India pavilion which was located in the basement of the Palais des Festivals. Led by Services Export Promotion Council director general Sangeeta Godbole and her team, it had a mixture of service providers such dubbing and subtitling company BOL, Native Ninjas, animation studios such as Digitoonz, Eplus Technologies, BFX CGI, Big Animation, Ayanaa Cinematics, Animantz, Aadarsh Motion Philm CGI, Nilesh Patel Studios, Locomotive Films, Phoebus Creations, Rockline Group, Rotomaker India, Sacom MediaWorks, Sony Music, Technicolor India, Though Cloud Studio, Vedatma Studios, and Broadvision Group.

    Said Godbole: “It is the Indian government’s intent to help India’s very small and small content creators to take their work globally. And also help highlight the fabulous creative talent we have in India. We have subsidised the rates that they have to pay to enter what can otherwise be an expensive market for the small studios. This was our first entry into MIPCOM and we are very enthused by the response and can only look forward to scaling up our presence by taking a larger pavilion with many more smaller entertainment companies registered in MIPCOM 2019 apart from promoting the Indian presence in a bigger way.”

    Present at the celebration was Indian embassy’s Paris-based chief of the economic and commercial wing Sarvjeet Soodan who said that he was delighted by the presence of the pavilion and the plethora of Indians at MIPCOM. He promised that the Indian embassy and its officials would be available to support the initiatives of the SEPC at the coming MIPCOMs in any way that was needed.

    Film maker Ketan Mehta who now heads animation powerhouse Cosmos-Maya was also delighted about the pavilion. Said he: “It took me as a creator a long time to get to know how to take my content global and sell it internationally. We struggled in our time and I am very happy that the smaller studios have this opportunity to leap frog and achieve in a couple of years what took us many more in our time. Congrats to the SEPC.”

    Reed Midem India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh representative Anil Wanvari – who drove the initiative from the Paris-based organisation’s side along with international sales manager Paul Barbaro – said it is an initiative that is very welcome though it took some time doing. “In earlier years too, efforts were made to set up an India pavilion but the response was tepid from both industry and government. We started the conversation with the SEPC a year or more so ago and it took the grit of Sangeeta to see this to its logical conclusion,” said Wanvari. ‘Now smaller studios who come in as participants can at last have the  address of the Indian pavilion from which they can operate and fix meetings to show case their content or services to potential international customers and buyers.”

  • MIPCOM 2017 – Content Really is King!

    MIPCOM 2017 – Content Really is King!

    Eye-opening, international, new content for multi-platform that fully embraced digital and VR were my key takeaways from MIPCOM 2017. The world may be going digital but content will always be king!

    MIPCOM is an education and has the power to reinforce your own strategies as a business as well as support and network you to grow the future. As an individual, I was pleased to see how broadcasters and the industry are defining 360 degrees digital strategies as well as traditional TV protocol. With keynotes and sessions on how to stand out in the over the top (OTT) and mobile space as well as defining strategies for new digital commissions e.g., ViaPlay (Nordics), Vivendi’s STUDIO+ (France) and others, it was great to see how they are attracting new audiences.

    New partnerships are flourishing too as Sky Original programming and Amazon launched their co-production of Britannia, a TV series to rival Game of Thrones. Even Sean Mills, senior director of content programming, Snap INC and NBC Universal announced their JV to produce content for a digital audience. Facebook head of global creative strategy Ricky Van Veen director of video product Daniel Danker announced the launch of their video product, Facebook Watch as well as the launch and remake of a Norwegian teen video drama SKAM.

    The Palais, La Croissette and Riveria were basking in the sun as meetings, conversations and networking were taking place over lunch, crepes, bagettes, champagne and canopes. It was mind blowing to see the number of exhibitors and new content within the Palais from Zee Entertainment, BBC Worldwide, Discovery and new platforms and services like One Life Studios and Jukin Studios. I could be in a queue for lunch and meet Russian content distributors one minute and then sit outside in between sessions and openly chat with African distributors after which they invited us to parties on the Croisette. Every hour there, I gained a new learning or a new contact or a new view on the content marketplace.

    Spanish and Russian content were celebrated magnificently this year. TV Azteca CEO Benjamin Salinas Sada launched ‘Dopamine’ at the 25th anniversary celebrations and confirmed their international and new programming formats (https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2017101849301/mipcom-2017-grupo-salinas-aims-for-international-production.html#axzz4x5WNBzyd). In addition, there truly was a Russian content revolution where the spotlight was on the world premiere of Trotsky, an epic biopic of Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky, with his famously complicated romantic life featured as well as his political beliefs. NTV broadcasting and other Russian studios also showcased a wide array of high quality products. (http://pressroom.mipcom.com/press-release-en-2017/russian-content-revolution-set-to-shake-up-mipcom-2017-1004-5793).

    Diversity also was a huge theme this year. Sir Lenny Henry launched Diversify TV and the Diversify TV Excellence Awards evening celebrated those that had achieved brilliance in these groups (https://mipblog.com/2017/10/diversify-tv-excellence-awards-winners-mipcom-report/). The sponsors were A+E Networks, Viacom and Ebony TV and the evening paid tribute to international programming that provides a fair, accurate representation of ethnic groups, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) and disabled communities.

    In all of this, my own question as a British-born, international Indian was…where are you India? The traditional studios and broadcasters from Star India, Zee Entertainment, Eros and more were, of course, well represented and as humble as ever and welcomed meetings and future opportunities for content buyers and sellers. However, Baahubali, Dangal…the world was asking me where were you at MIPCOM! I know you very well and your content is beyond outstanding on many levels. I want to see more of the Indian industry there, coming to showcase, use and learn from MIPCOM and to then come back with more and more blockbusters. Although India has been the country of honour before at MIP, I look forward to hearing what you do next especially in the animation space (http://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/mipcom-2017/mipcom-2017-sees-signing-of-big-deals-in-india-and-asian-market) and I also look forward to producing the future with you (http://www.artsforindia.org/areas/cinema/)
    Baaaaaahhhuuuubbbhhhaaaaallllliiiii   !!!

    public://Sonal_Patel.jpgSonal Patel,  Digital Queen by Day; Charity Committee, Arts for India & Producing the Future.The views expressed are personal and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them. 

     

  • Chhota Bheem becomes Mighty with Netflix

    Chhota Bheem becomes Mighty with Netflix

    CANNES: The studio behind the popular animated show Chhota Bheem, Green Gold Animation has been commissioned by Netflix to make an exclusive 13-episode series on its trademark show. Paradoxically titled Mighty Little Bheem, the series is set to be released in August 2018.

    Each episode of Mighty Bheem will 22 minutes long and feature a baby version of the popular kids character. It could also be broken into 52 episodes of 5 minutes each.

    The announcement was made by Netflix international kids acquisitions and co-production division head Aram Yacoubian at MIPCOM 2017. He said, “Chhota Bheem is iconic in India. We are happy to work with Green Gold to produce a younger baby version of him and bring it to global children.”

    Green Gold will dedicate a separate team of 100 people for the project.

    Green Gold Animation CEO Rajeev Chilaka expressed, “We are very happy to partner with Netflix. We have created this especially for the world’s leader.”

    The budgets for the whole show are expected to be in the range of about $ 3-4 million.

  • XTreme brings social media native creators into broadcast, leads sports content incubation

    CANNES: XTreme Video, the leading multi-platform network for extreme creators, today announces that select digital creators in their network will have two series premiere on international broadcast networks INsight TV and Outside TV: the second season of “MTB Insights” and the first season of “Inside the Masters of Dirt.”

    By bringing social media and YouTube native creators into the broadcast space, XTreme Video is making it known they are a leading incubator for the highest-quality extreme sports content in the world.

    The worldwide visibility, credibility and reach that broadcast television offers is very attractive for digital creators. Concurrently, creators offer huge opportunities to broadcasters looking to attract and engage with fans directly through social media.

    “XTreme Video sees great potential in the originality and resourcefulness of our network of digital creators and we want to translate this social media success into returns for broadcasters,” says XTreme Video CEO Gregg Bywalski. “The extreme sports community has grown exponentially in recent years because of the high-quality content produced as well as the sheer spectacle of these stunts and performances, especially when they’re in 4K formats. It’s time for the broadcast world to embrace them.”

    XTreme Video’s journey from their humble beginnings as a distributor of niche surf documentaries on VHS to a digital powerhouse boasting an umbrella network of the world’s most popular extreme sports digital creators is a testament to their adaptability in a constantly evolving entertainment landscape. All the while, the XTreme Video team has cultivated relationships with television networks around the world through their distribution arm, giving them an edge on other MPNs that can’t tout this.

    The “Inside the Masters of Dirt” series, which was purchased by Insight TV during MIPCOM last fall, follows the adrenaline-addicted crew that produces the popular freestyle motocross arena show of the same name. The Masters of Dirt crew, a part of the XTreme Video Network, boasts upwards of 2 million fans on social media. Their larger than life personalities and the epic visual nature of their shows made it an authentic choice for Insight TV’s international audiences. The first episode will premiere exclusively on Insight TV on April 22nd, 2017, and will also be available on their SVOD service the following day for worldwide fans.

    Information about broadcast availability:

    Germany (HD+: 3M House Holds)

    UK (Sky: 9M HH)

    Portugal (Vodafone: 1M HH)

    Spain (Vodafone: 1M HH)

    Switzerland (Swisscom: 1.3M HH)

    Russia (TriColor: 12.5M HH)

    USA: TBD

    “MTB Insights” filmed by RYYS, a filmmaker and XTreme Video creator, showcases the serious hard work, perseverance and grit required by the growing sport of Mountain Biking. The new season was filmed over the course of one year and follows the top riders on the planet. RYYS is a young Polish director who started filming as an amateur MTB and BMX rider, giving him a solid foundation to start his filmmaking career in the extreme sports industry. As a trusted resource to the mountain bike professionals, RYYS brings an ability to capture the sport in an intimate way that follows its extreme highs and lows, crashes and jumps alike.

    The series was broadcast on Outside TV in the United States early March 2017 and later this year on the French TV channel TREK TV. Worldwide MTB fans will be able to rent or purchase the series on major digital platforms on 13 April, 2017.

  • MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

    MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

    CANNES: Record attendances at MIPJunior and MIPCOM, more World Premiere TV and International Screenings than ever, a remarkable Japan Country of Honour programme, a Personality of the Year, Shonda Rhimes, who packed delegates into her keynote interview and a tour de force opening keynote from Sony Corporation’s president and CEO Kazuo Hirai, combined to make for a highly successful and memorable MIPCOM 2016.

    MIPJunior (October 15-16) set the tone for the week with a record 1,600 participants including more than 630 buyers (+10%), 1,200 programmes in the screening library and 260 new development projects presented to potential partners. Delegates were treated to a double helping of World Premiere TV Screenings with “Splash and Bubbles” (produced by the Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises) and “Grizzy and the Lemmings” from Studio Hari Production.

    Illustrating the wide international appeal of programming for kids, MIPJunior hosted presentations covering new animation from Finland, animation coproduction opportunities with India, hot kids shows in Norway, how to work in China and how to coproduce with MIPCOM Country of Honour Japan – where animation accounts for 62% of the country’s television exports.

    At the main MIPCOM event, which drew delegations from 108 countries, attendance reached some 14,000 with 4,900 buyers registered including 1,500 acquisition executives working for digital platforms and SVOD.

    In all, 2,000 exhibiting companies packed the Palais des Festivals with new national pavilions bringing together companies from Chile, New Zealand, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia and Japan. Outside the Palais des Festivals exhibition hall, ITV Studios’ revolutionary two-storey stand, made of massive containers, drew plenty of attention.

    Following the successful launch of the MIPDrama Screenings in April 2016, MIPCOM hosted a record number of major drama launches in the World Premiere TV Screenings and International Drama Screenings.

    Among the mega-productions on view, the World Premiere TV Screenings showcased ‘Mata Hari’ (presented by Red Arrow International), ‘The Halcyon’ (presented by Sony Pictures Television), ‘The Same Sky’ (presented by Beta Film), ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s do the Time Warp Again’ (presented by 20th Century Fox Television Distribution’) and an exclusive episode of ‘The Catch, Season 2’ (presented by Disney Media Distribution). For the first time, two of the Screenings, ‘Mata Hari’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ were open to the Cannes public who reacted enthusiastically to both shows.

    “The interest in the World Premiere TV Screenings and the International Drama Screenings continues to grow and it was great to be able to invite the Cannes public to ‘Mata Hari’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s do the Time Warp Again.’ This bodes well for our plans to expand the 2017 MIPDrama Screenings next April and helps us as we continue to look at bringing a high-end drama festival element to our future events,” noted Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division.

    With Japan as MIPCOM’s Country of Honour, 500 Japanese executives from 104 companies attended MIPCOM. Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, sent a special video message to the international television community in Cannes welcoming the MIPCOM Country of Honour programme and the possibility to promote the best in Japanese tech skills and content.

    Delegates enthused that the Japan-themed Opening Party, complete with a host of Japanese chefs, specially-imported Japanese food and beverage and Japanese live music, was one of the most memorable MIPCOM openers in recent years. On the conference front, Sony Corporation President and CEO Kazuo Hirai, opened proceedings with his keynote during a MIPCOM which saw the spotlight turned on Japan’s tech prowess with the latest developments of HD, 4K, 8K and Virtual Reality showcased alongside the newest animation programmes coming to the international market from Japan.

    Undoubted star of MIPCOM 2016 was Personality of the Year Shonda Rhimes. In her various (and often combined) roles as Creator, Writer, Showrunner or Executive Producer, Shonda Rhimes is the driving force behind ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Scandal,’ ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ and ‘The Catch.’

    Rhimes was honoured at the annual MIPCOM Personality of the Year gala dinner October 19, which included live and moving tributes to her from ‘The Catch’s’ Mireille Enos, Tony Goldwyn from ‘Scandal’ and fellow ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Executive Producer Betsy Beers.

    With so much high-end drama at MIPCOM, international talent was in abundance as stars accompanied their respective shows to the market.

    Household names in Cannes included keynote speaker and actor Kiefer Sutherland with ‘Designated Survivor,’ Kyle MacLachlan promoting the new ‘Twin Peaks,’ Dennis Quaid for season 2 of ‘Fortitude,’ ‘Unreal’s’ Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby, ‘Conviction’s’ Hayley Atwell, ‘Victoria’ star Jenna Coleman and representing ‘Mata Hari’ Christopher Lambert and Vahina Giocante.

    As part of the Country of Honour programme, Japanese star Kento Hayashi flew in for a special screening of ‘Moribito 2: Guardian of the Spirit.’

    French thespians in town were also numerous with Leila Bekhti, Tcheky Karyo, Emma de Caunes, and Clementine Poidatz all attending MIPCOM.

    “This has been an excellent edition of MIPCOM. Through the central theme of New Television we have showcased technical innovation, discussed how to reach out to younger audiences who consume entertainment when, where and how they want and brought together traditional television leaders with newer online companies. This year has seen a combination of plentiful deal-making, celebration, exchange of knowledge and keynotes from major industry leaders,” concluded Reed MIDEM’s Laurine Garaude.

    At MIPCOM every October, industry’s major players converge in Cannes to turn every moment into an opportunity, transforming four days of meetings, screenings and conferences into deals, from blockbuster programming to ground-breaking partnerships. And MIPJunior is the leading showcase for kids programming, uniting the world’s most influential buyers, sellers and producers the weekend before MIPCOM.

    Reed MIDEM is an organiser of professional, international markets that are essential business platforms for key players in the sectors concerned. Reed MIDEM is a division of Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading event organiser, with over 500 events in 43 countries.

  • MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

    MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

    CANNES: Record attendances at MIPJunior and MIPCOM, more World Premiere TV and International Screenings than ever, a remarkable Japan Country of Honour programme, a Personality of the Year, Shonda Rhimes, who packed delegates into her keynote interview and a tour de force opening keynote from Sony Corporation’s president and CEO Kazuo Hirai, combined to make for a highly successful and memorable MIPCOM 2016.

    MIPJunior (October 15-16) set the tone for the week with a record 1,600 participants including more than 630 buyers (+10%), 1,200 programmes in the screening library and 260 new development projects presented to potential partners. Delegates were treated to a double helping of World Premiere TV Screenings with “Splash and Bubbles” (produced by the Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises) and “Grizzy and the Lemmings” from Studio Hari Production.

    Illustrating the wide international appeal of programming for kids, MIPJunior hosted presentations covering new animation from Finland, animation coproduction opportunities with India, hot kids shows in Norway, how to work in China and how to coproduce with MIPCOM Country of Honour Japan – where animation accounts for 62% of the country’s television exports.

    At the main MIPCOM event, which drew delegations from 108 countries, attendance reached some 14,000 with 4,900 buyers registered including 1,500 acquisition executives working for digital platforms and SVOD.

    In all, 2,000 exhibiting companies packed the Palais des Festivals with new national pavilions bringing together companies from Chile, New Zealand, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia and Japan. Outside the Palais des Festivals exhibition hall, ITV Studios’ revolutionary two-storey stand, made of massive containers, drew plenty of attention.

    Following the successful launch of the MIPDrama Screenings in April 2016, MIPCOM hosted a record number of major drama launches in the World Premiere TV Screenings and International Drama Screenings.

    Among the mega-productions on view, the World Premiere TV Screenings showcased ‘Mata Hari’ (presented by Red Arrow International), ‘The Halcyon’ (presented by Sony Pictures Television), ‘The Same Sky’ (presented by Beta Film), ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s do the Time Warp Again’ (presented by 20th Century Fox Television Distribution’) and an exclusive episode of ‘The Catch, Season 2’ (presented by Disney Media Distribution). For the first time, two of the Screenings, ‘Mata Hari’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ were open to the Cannes public who reacted enthusiastically to both shows.

    “The interest in the World Premiere TV Screenings and the International Drama Screenings continues to grow and it was great to be able to invite the Cannes public to ‘Mata Hari’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s do the Time Warp Again.’ This bodes well for our plans to expand the 2017 MIPDrama Screenings next April and helps us as we continue to look at bringing a high-end drama festival element to our future events,” noted Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division.

    With Japan as MIPCOM’s Country of Honour, 500 Japanese executives from 104 companies attended MIPCOM. Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, sent a special video message to the international television community in Cannes welcoming the MIPCOM Country of Honour programme and the possibility to promote the best in Japanese tech skills and content.

    Delegates enthused that the Japan-themed Opening Party, complete with a host of Japanese chefs, specially-imported Japanese food and beverage and Japanese live music, was one of the most memorable MIPCOM openers in recent years. On the conference front, Sony Corporation President and CEO Kazuo Hirai, opened proceedings with his keynote during a MIPCOM which saw the spotlight turned on Japan’s tech prowess with the latest developments of HD, 4K, 8K and Virtual Reality showcased alongside the newest animation programmes coming to the international market from Japan.

    Undoubted star of MIPCOM 2016 was Personality of the Year Shonda Rhimes. In her various (and often combined) roles as Creator, Writer, Showrunner or Executive Producer, Shonda Rhimes is the driving force behind ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Scandal,’ ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ and ‘The Catch.’

    Rhimes was honoured at the annual MIPCOM Personality of the Year gala dinner October 19, which included live and moving tributes to her from ‘The Catch’s’ Mireille Enos, Tony Goldwyn from ‘Scandal’ and fellow ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Executive Producer Betsy Beers.

    With so much high-end drama at MIPCOM, international talent was in abundance as stars accompanied their respective shows to the market.

    Household names in Cannes included keynote speaker and actor Kiefer Sutherland with ‘Designated Survivor,’ Kyle MacLachlan promoting the new ‘Twin Peaks,’ Dennis Quaid for season 2 of ‘Fortitude,’ ‘Unreal’s’ Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby, ‘Conviction’s’ Hayley Atwell, ‘Victoria’ star Jenna Coleman and representing ‘Mata Hari’ Christopher Lambert and Vahina Giocante.

    As part of the Country of Honour programme, Japanese star Kento Hayashi flew in for a special screening of ‘Moribito 2: Guardian of the Spirit.’

    French thespians in town were also numerous with Leila Bekhti, Tcheky Karyo, Emma de Caunes, and Clementine Poidatz all attending MIPCOM.

    “This has been an excellent edition of MIPCOM. Through the central theme of New Television we have showcased technical innovation, discussed how to reach out to younger audiences who consume entertainment when, where and how they want and brought together traditional television leaders with newer online companies. This year has seen a combination of plentiful deal-making, celebration, exchange of knowledge and keynotes from major industry leaders,” concluded Reed MIDEM’s Laurine Garaude.

    At MIPCOM every October, industry’s major players converge in Cannes to turn every moment into an opportunity, transforming four days of meetings, screenings and conferences into deals, from blockbuster programming to ground-breaking partnerships. And MIPJunior is the leading showcase for kids programming, uniting the world’s most influential buyers, sellers and producers the weekend before MIPCOM.

    Reed MIDEM is an organiser of professional, international markets that are essential business platforms for key players in the sectors concerned. Reed MIDEM is a division of Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading event organiser, with over 500 events in 43 countries.

  • BidSlate offers film buyers, content-owners negotiation platform

    BidSlate offers film buyers, content-owners negotiation platform

    CANNES: What if filmmakers didn’t have to rely solely on film markets and sales agents to sell content? And international film buyers had continuous access to a 24/7 international marketplace populated by an ever-growing catalog of content? Revolutionizing the process of transacting global media rights and distribution, BidSlate® offers both buyers and sellers a secure, transparent marketplace to negotiate, buy and sell film rights. With partner companies helping to simplify the sales process even further, BidSlate officially launch this October, just prior to MIPCOM. The announcement was yesterday made by co-founders Roland Rojas and Jesse Scolaro.

    Each year, thousands of high-quality independent films, documentaries, shorts, and series are produced. But the current international sales model leaves many independent distributors and filmmakers out of the loop due to excessive costs and a cumbersome, opaque process. Backed by several years of research and development and created by longtime film industry veterans, the user-friendly BidSlate platform looks to transform the process of negotiating and transacting rights by facilitating the process.

    Secure, convenient and accessible for both global buyers and content owners, BidSlate verifies all members through a quick and simple registration process. Once approved, sellers can upload their media and metadata; and, through a dynamic search engine, buyers have access to a broad content library searchable by specific purchasing needs. Transparency between parties follows, with BidSlate further simplifying the process by generating a transaction-specific, industry-standard distribution agreement, and selecting a globally-trusted cross-border payments company, Payoneer, for escrow.

    For filmmakers, BidSlate offers an A-to-Z solution, easily paving the road to distribution. And with the ability to sell territorial rights on an a la carte basis, revenues can be maximized geographically. BidSlate is in the process of finalizing agreements with some of the best post-production and delivery partners in the industry. BidSlate also offers filmmakers a one-stop solution for delivering their content to global buyers, making the entire process seamless and comprehensive.

    For buyers, BidSlate means instant access to an international film marketplace that never closes. With thousands of annual film festivals, it’s nearly impossible, costly and inefficient to access, track, negotiate and purchase content easily. But BidSlate offers content distributors numerous easy-to-use tools certain to simplify the entire rights purchase process: immediate streaming of entire films anywhere and anytime; contact sellers via the in-platform messaging system with purchase-specific questions; make bids and secure deals with sellers directly from the platform.

    “Working hand-in-hand with both buyers and sellers, we’ve spent several years working on the BidSlate platform in order to offer a secure and efficient marketplace for global film sales”, says Rojas. “Given our varied experiences in indie films, we understand the importance of supporting filmmakers and getting their films in front of the widest possible audience. Though we may be viewed as an industry disruptor, our objective is to offer a simple, transparent and cost-effective alternative to the current industry model.”