Convenciones
MIPTV 2016: digital, dramas and Germany, on top
Through its events and activities this week in Cannes, MIPTV 2016 shows the same evolution than the industry: digital, formats, co-productions, drama, as well as the spotlight in key programming trends, the reinforce of documentary and factual programming and the focus in the fourth largest economy of the world: Germany.According to organizer Reed Midem, the number of attendees will remain stable with 11,000 participants expected in Cannes, about 4,000 buyers, from which over 1,000 are digital. There are 1,600 exhibition companies from over 100 countries. Business meetings at MIPDoc and MIPFormat have been intense yesterday, and there are good expectations for tomorrow, April 4, when MIPTV itself starts.
At this 53rd edition, there are four Media Mastermind Keynotes on April 4: Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO, RTL Group (Germany) will highlight the group transformation into a digital player at 4.30pm; Jeremy Darroch, Group Chief Executive, SKY (UK) will be on stage at 5.10pm. Previously, at 11.45 Margaret Czeisler, Chief Strategy Officer, Wildness will discuss about fans and millenials, and at 12.20pm Harlan Coben, creator and executive producer of The Five, the drama series from Red Production for Sky1 (UK), distributed by StudioCanal.
Also, Ronaldo, the Brazilian football world champion and TV Globo (Brazil) commentator will participate at 9.30am; Dominique Delport, president, Vivendi Content & Global MD, Havas Media Group on Wednesday 6 at 10.30am; and Ted Schilowitz, futurist, Twentieth Century Fox on Wednesday 6 at 2.30pm.
Following the global trend on “big dramas”, Reed Midem has created the Drama Buyers Advisory with Ruediger Boess (ProSiebenSat.1, Germany); Zelda Stewart, Mediaset (Italy); Aline Marrache-Tesseraud, Canal + (France), Ignacio Barrera (Albavision, Latin America); Sarah Wright, BSkyB (UK); and Anette Romer, TV2 (Denmark). The group’s role is to offer guidance in strategic and content development for future drama projects related to MIP events.
In that sense, during the MIPDrama Screenings, which takes place on April 3 from 9am to 6.30pm at JW Marriott Hotel, some 350 leading global acquisitions executives will take part of these drama screenings. A selection jury of writers, creators, directors, etc. has chosen 12 programs from Europe, while the Drama Board will vote for a “Coup de Coeur” Award at the end.
On the digital side, MIPDigital Fronts celebrates its third edition and aims to empower the next digital content era by bringing together the new online video ecosystem with the TV industry. Eight digital studios, including VICE, Maker, Endemol Shine Beyond, among others, have been selected to show their productions.
MIPTV is launching Brands@MIPTV, a full program dedicated to brands, to underline their growing cross over with the entertainment content industry. The market hosts the “Brand of the Year Award” for the 6th edition reflecting how video marketing and branded entertainment have become an integral part of brand’s strategies and an opportunity for the entertainment business. Mattel has been stressed as an innovative creator, and, as part of the recognition, Richard Dickson, president & CEO, will host a keynote on Tuesday 5 at 5.15pm.
The focus on Germany will include top-level executives from Red Arrow and ZDF Enterprises, which host special conference sessions on international production and co-production. Also, Deutsche Welle, Global Screen and WDR mediagroup, while Beta Film will host an international screening on April 4. A German Pavilion is backed on the floor with AG Dok, ARRI Media, German Films, SOLA Media, Spiegel TV, and Your Family Entertainment.
German companies have the fourth biggest presence at MIPTV & MIPCOM. In terms of revenue, is the world’s second biggest TV market with more than 40 million TV households. It is showing growth across all sectors, in particular Pay TV and VOD, which grew by 7% in 2015 to reach about €2,6 billion. Co-production partnerships involving German producers and broadcasters are increasing, as international demand grows for scripted and drama formats.
Lastly, the tradeshow reinforces its strategy towards 4K Ultra HD content, by partnering for one more year with Sony (Japan). There is a rich program with full 4K projections that includes 12 conference sessions and a keynote speech on Tuesday 5 April delivered by Bill Baggelaar, SVP Technology, Sony Pictures Entertainment. He will discuss about producing high-quality Ultra HD episodic dramas on time and on budget. Also, attendees will face the 4K World Premiere Screening of NHK (Japan), with the new Asian fantasy series Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit on Monday, 4 April during the Opening Party.
Nicolas Smirnoff, Fabricio Ferrara, Rodrigo Cantisano