Content Europe 2026: Lisbon, a new meeting place focusing on formats and co-production

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.

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