Mipcom 2021 started at the Palais des Festivals and digital with good sensations shared by the participants. Key executives from Europe, APAC, MENA and the Americas remarked that the vibes, due to the “return to normality”, are up with new business opportunities in all segments. They also agreed that some 3,000 executives are in Cannes with +5,200 participating on the online activities and representing almost 2500 companies.

The motto of the show is “Welcome Back!”, so PRENSARIO aked the attendees to describe their feelings about attending again a physical event: ‘We are seeing a big effort from the organization to host us here, and we appreciate. We arrived to Cannes full of expectations and during Day 1 were able to fulfill them’, underlined a top US producer. ‘It is true that the number of people is not so high, but we are focusing on concrete objectives and the people we are looking for is here’, added another European college. Other two participants, one from APAC and the other from Latin America, described the show as ‘intimate but very effective’.

Big streamers are announcing new launches/alliances in Europe: HBO Max is departing in six countries this month with other 14 by 2022. Pluto TV is adding Italy, while it has announced a new partnership with BBC Studios to distribute three new channels based on the UK pubcaster content. And NENT’s Viaplay is adding the first five territories by 2022/2023, targeting 12 million clients by the end of 2025. ‘We are investing in this growth in order to capitalize on the opportunity created as the shift to streaming video consumption continues to accelerate’, highlighted Anders Jensen, president & CEO, recognized as Variety’ Vanguard Award.

Formats are another big topic, with new concepts coming outside the traditional markets and players. APAC is taking the lead with South Korea and Japan, but formats are also coming from digital players. This was one of the main outcomes of The Wit’ Fresh TV Formats. Glance introduced the key trends of the kids & teens business: while animation continues to be the king, live events and sports are driving new businesses: ‘Characters moving from digital to TV, technology and environment, a stronger power of games, and inventiveness for pre-school kids’, summarizes Avril Blondelot, head of content insight.

Having all sectors under the same roof seems to be a good advantage for this first physical edition. Safety protocols are delaying a bit the entrance and, consequently, the meetings, but it is true that participants are getting used to this “new normality” for the months coming. MIPCOM 2021 confirms that global business ties are solid and that’s a very important thing in this context.

Nicolás Smirnoff, Fabricio Ferrara, Alberto Buitron and Marie Roche

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