Reed MIDEM reported on Monday that it expects some 9,500 delegates from 100 countries registered for its 2019 edition, including 3,300 buyers and commissioners and 40 new exhibitors. The figures were revealed by Laurine Garaude (left above), Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division, during an early press conference on the first day of MIPTV.
Garaude also reported strong MIPDoc and MIPFormats numbers with 1,600 professionals and a successful fourth edition of the MIPDrama Buyers Summit with 450 buyers attending. This in addition to a strong opening for the second CANNESERIES with the joint MIPTV-CANNESERIES premiere, Fremantle’s Beecham House, playing to a “packed house”.
Garaude introduced France as Country Of Honour for 2019, adding that as a French company Reed MIDEM was “proud to introduce an unprecedented line-up” of industry luminaries from France.
In the face of greater demand from companies to access content at the earliest stages of development, Garaude said MIPTV had been addressing this, notably with the introduction of In Development last year.
In Development has been expanded at this year’s MIPTV, fully integrated at the heart of the event and is now addressing the drama, kids and documentary genres.
Today, MIPTV offers the “complete chain” of content development, from the incubation of ideas through the discovery of talent, to production and the finished programme.
For the numerous pitching events across the six days of MIPDoc, MIPFormats and MIPTV, some 800 submissions had been received by the events’ organisers.
“Now, MIPTV is two markets in one,” Garaude said. “One that addresses its core business of distribution, and the other that focuses on content development.”
New concepts for MIPTV 2020
Turning to the future, Garaude teased plans for MIPTV 2020 and beyond. Garaude revealed that Reed MIDEM has been consulting with its clients over the past few months to better understand their evolving needs in this rapidly changing environment.
“Feedback shows two important points. Content development is key to buyers, distributors and producers and is central to the development of MIPTV,” Garaude said. “The other point is the need for more flexible solutions for exhibitors and visitors to meet their changing needs.”
As part of these plans, Garaude announced that Reed MIDEM executive Lucy Smith has taken the newly created position as Deputy Director of the Television Division, reporting to Garaude. In this capacity, Smith will have the primary responsibility of piloting these new MIPTV developments.
Smith said that, among options being considered, are new discovery opportunities with more screenings, pitches and showcases, curated matchmaking and, above all, a new format including a reimagined exhibition experience.
“We are very excited about our plans and will be making concrete announcements in the coming months,” Smith said.
This and more in the MIPTV News, online here!
