As MIPCOM CANNES 2026 ended yesterday welcomed 10,100 delegates, including 3,150 buyers, from 104 countries, with the top ten markets being the US, UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Italy, Japan, and India. While MIPJUNIOR brought together 600 participants, including 165 buyers, to address the shifting landscape of children’s entertainment.
Reflecting on the week’s major announcements and new partnerships, Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES, emphasized the market’s evolving strategy. ‘Our strategy is clear: to strengthen MIPCOM‘s core international content business while bringing together the companies, investment, technology and new business models driving the transformation of the global entertainment industry,’ said. ‘We are not simply responding to change. We are actively shaping the opportunities it creates’.
The strength of the established content business was evident through significant international announcements. Globo unveiled new international licensing agreements, while BBC Studios expanded its partnership with Samsung TV Plus. ITV Studios reported robust format activity, and FOX Entertainment joined forces with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat for a new partnership in vertical drama. The market also hosted high-level conversations, including the first joint keynote from Jeff Zucker and Marco Bassetti following the merger of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, and an interview with David Decker, President of Skydance Content Sales. Additionally, Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria was honored with the Variety Vanguard Award.
This year’s market notably highlighted the convergence of traditional media with new digital players. YouTube returned with an expanded presence alongside tech giants like Meta and TikTok, as well as prominent advertising agency dentsu. The introduction of the MIP BrandWorks CXO Summit created fresh avenues to connect brands with producers. ‘We have clearly moved on from why brands should be involved in content, to how they can build it into their planning cycles, driving fandom, brand love and ultimately growth’, noted Cathy Boxall of dentsu.
Creator-led entertainment took center stage, highlighted by Dhar Mann receiving the inaugural The Ankler Future of Entertainment Award and announcing a scripted series for Samsung TV Plus. Billy Parks, Head of FOX Creator Studios, remarked, ‘We’ve had real conversations here about what we can build together, and I expect to see more creators coming next year’. The collaboration between digital and traditional platforms was further explored by Pedro Pina of YouTube EMEA and Stephan Schmitter of RTL Deutschland, as well as Justin Connolly of YouTube and Matt Schnaars of NBCUniversal in the sports sector.
Artificial intelligence also dominated the conversation. Cecilia Shen of UTOPAI Studios and Ken Oh of CJ ENM Studios explored how AI is transforming content production, while creator Anthony E. Zuiker launched his new AI app at the market.
On the traditional screening front, Cannes hosted World Premiere Screenings of highly anticipated series, including Honey from FIFTH SEASON and Queen Silvia from Beta Film. Furthermore, FOX and Fremantle brought the iconic Baywatch to the Croisette. The market also celebrated female leadership with the Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch, co-hosted by A+E Global Media and The Hollywood Reporter, featuring actress Angie Harmon and author Elizabeth Day.
The industry will reconvene when MIPCOM CANNES returns for its next edition from October 18-21, 2027.
