MIPTV TARGETS MORE BUYERS AS MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS FOR 2020

Reed MIDEM unveiled an expanded hosted buyers’ programme and new streamlined schedule in the next phase of the transformation of MIPTV 2020. The new vision for MIPTV 2020, the global content market for the future, which takes place March 30 to April 2, comes in response to a wide-reaching industry survey conducted by Reed MIDEM, which inspired a completely reimagined exhibition experience and fresh approach to connecting distributors, buyers and producers.

Major distributors and studios already confirmed to exhibit at MIPTV 2020 include all3media, Beyond International, Blue Ant Media, Deutsche Welle, Discovery Inc., Global Agency, Global Screen, KOCCA, Shoreline Entertainment, STUDIOCANAL, TF1 Studios, TV France International and Warner Bros. among others. MIPTV is second only to MIPCOM in its scale as an international buyers’ community with over 3,300 buyers and commissioners from every market and genre attending in 2019.

Following an in-depth consultation with existing and potential buyers, focused on their business priorities, Reed MIDEM has made significant changes to the MIPTV programme. Today it announces a 50% increase in the number of hosted buyers at MIPTV 2020, an expanded content discovery programme and a new strand focused on exclusive market intelligence, supported by a streamlined schedule to optimise the market. The new schedule will feature twice daily ‘exhibition only’ time slots (times during which no conferences will be scheduled), as well as a series of curated content screenings and cutting-edge exclusive research sessions offering insights to help buyers future-proof their business. These market intelligence sessions will be created in collaboration with a range of influential buyers, focused on their business needs.

MIPDrama Buyers Summit is back for the 6th year on Sunday 29 March. It’s concept will be extended across the factual, formats and kids genres as part of the curated content offering designed to showcase the most hotly anticipated new shows to the global buyers community. These new screenings will take place each morning at MIPTV. In Development, MIPTV’s cross-genre production forum focusing on financing, will continue to feature prominently within the schedule, supporting producers, buyers, commissioners and distributors in fostering new partnerships to create the next generation of breakout factual, formats, drama and kids’ content.

In July, MIPTV unveiled plans for a reimagined show experience offering flexible, scalable options for exhibitors based on innovative turnkey solutions with integrated communal workspace and networking areas, reflecting the changing priorities and business needs of the future. Rachel Glaister, EVP International Brands & Press, 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 & 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."

Anette Romer, Head of acquisition & formats for TV2 Denmark, added: “MIPTV is an important opportunity for us to seek out factual programming and formats that will work in our market so it’s great to see more being done in this area for the buyers and distributors with the expansion of the screenings into these genres.”

Lucy Smith, Deputy Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division added: “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.”