Yesterday, the final day of Series Mania Forum 2026 was marked by a structural milestone for the industry. The Council of Europe officially opened for signature the new Convention on the Co-production of Audiovisual Works in the form of Series, chaired by Secretary General Alain Berset, who emphasized that it is designed to ‘support independent producers and strengthen cooperation’.

This represents the first international legal framework specifically dedicated to the independent co-production of series across television and streaming platforms. The initiative aims to reinforce cultural cooperation, support independent producers, and increase transparency in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving audiovisual ecosystem.

This regulatory step is not happening in isolation. It comes at a time when Europe is actively redefining its audiovisual strategy through initiatives such as AGORA EU, a new program in development by the European Commission and expected to launch in 2028. Lucía Recalde, Head of Unit "Audiovisual Industry and Media Support Programmes" from Creative Europe MEDIA, said that AGORA EU aims to enhance the competitiveness, innovation capacity and global positioning of the European audiovisual sector, reinforcing collaboration between markets, institutions and industry players. Both the Convention and AGORA EU are efforts to reshape the future of European TV on a global scale.

France came to the Festival to reaffirm its commitment to the audiovisual sector. Arte France emphasized its editorial ambition to continue backing distinctive European storytelling, with a strong focus on auteur-driven series and international co-productions. In this context, Bruno Patino, CEO of ARTE, highlighted the importance of preserving creative risk within an increasingly data-driven ecosystem, defending a model where public broadcasters remain key curators of identity and diversity in European content.

At the same time, France Télévisions outlined its roadmap to strengthen its role as a leading player in domestic production and international partnerships. Delphine Ernotte Cunci, CEO of France Télévisions, stressed the need to scale French content beyond national borders while maintaining strong ties with local audiences, reinforcing alliances with European partners and global distributors. The message from the French block was about collaboration, cultural positioning and strategic investment as the next phase of growth for European television.

The panel on European strategic alliances brought together Amma Asante, Christian Bombrun and Rodolphe Belmer, and made clear that the future of the audiovisual industry will be defined by Europe’s ability to collaborate at scale. The discussion pointed to the urgency of operating as a coordinated ecosystem, sharing resources, aligning regulatory frameworks and building co-productions conceived from the outset with international reach. Beneath this shift lies a structural concern: how digital models as YouTube, distribute economic value, often unevenly for producers and rights holders. This imbalance is precisely what is pushing Europe to rethink its position and accelerate stronger alliances and proprietary models.

At the same time, the conversation made clear that these alliances cannot be built solely on market logic. Sustainability, economic, cultural and environmental, is increasingly becoming a core pillar of the sector. The need to protect independent production, guarantee diversity of voices and rethink more efficient and responsible production models emerged as key priorities. In this context, Series Mania reinforces its role as a platform that articulates industry dialogue, strategic vision and long-term transformation, reaffirming its commitment to a more collaborative, resilient and sustainable audiovisual ecosystem.

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