From today until 23 April, Lisbon becomes the new hub for the international audiovisual industry with the first edition of Content Europe 2026, the market organized by C21 Media that aims, quite simply, to fill the void left by the cancellation of MIPTV. The venue is the Lisbon Marriott Hotel, which has had to increase its capacity to meet what the organizers describe as “high” demand.

The launch confirms a clear profile: less mass-market, more executive-focused. With no official figures available, Prensario reported over 250 accredited buyers, comprising a mix of broadcasters, streaming platforms, distributors and production companies. Names such as the BBC, ITV and Mediaset reflect a high calibre, although the focus is not on scale but on business efficiency.

Content Europe is presented as an intensive three-day market, with three well-defined pillars: B2B meetings and stands, strategic conferences and screenings. But the difference lies in the approach: formats, factual and drama as central themes, with a specific Kids Summit that broadens the spectrum without losing sight of the commissioning process.

The programme quickly reveals the event’s focus. From the opening session featuring the "Global Content Trends Report" --which sets out the drivers of change and the evolution of the business-- to panels such as "The Future of Formats: What Happens Next?", everything converges on a single idea: formats are now the most dynamic and exportable asset. Case studies such as "The Traitors" serve as a guide to understanding how to scale IP globally.

The programme is divided into two main sections: the Future Formats Forum, focusing on innovation and trends in unscripted content, and the Content Acquisitions Summit, which gets down to the nitty-gritty of what buyers are looking for and how co-production opportunities are structured. Added to this are buyer briefings, studio presentations and sessions such as "How to get your show on…", which are probably the most highly valued for the direct insight they offer from commissioners.

There is also a strong practical emphasis: how to finance, sell and close deals in 2026. Panels such as "Formats Fundamentals: The New Shape of Finance and Acquisitions or How to make a formats deal" reveal the “behind-the-scenes” of deals, whilst the Global Formats Pitch Competition and the masterclasses reinforce the event’s role as a platform for generating projects, not just selling existing catalogue.

Artificial intelligence cuts across the entire agenda. Not as an abstract trend, but as a tool applied to development, pitching and production. In this vein, the masterclass Pitching in the AI Era sends a clear message: in a market where tools are becoming more widely accessible, standing out is more critical than ever.

The context explains its emergence. With a fragmented global market, fewer traditional events and a greater emphasis on unscripted content and hybrid strategies (TV + platforms + social media), Content Europe positions itself as a more agile, accessible alternative, aligned with the new dynamics. It is not just a debut: it is a strategic response from the industry.

On this first day in Lisbon, there are already signs that the format is working. Concrete meetings, packed schedules and networking that is directly geared towards real business. Now, the key will be to see if it manages to establish itself as the must-attend spring event on the international calendar.

Francisco Ferreyra, from Lisbon

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