MIPCOM goes 100% digital

MIPCOM organisers Reed Midem have cancelled this year’s physical version of the Cannes market.

The 36th edition will now take place entirely digitally as MIPCOM ONLINE+, the platform launched in April after MIPTV was cancelled.

Reed Midem said the physical gathering, previously scheduled to take place as MIPCOM Rendezvous Cannes, was being pulled because of the continued impact of Covid-19.

The online version will offer a variety of panels and events between 12 and 16 October, when MIPCOM had been due to take place.

Before, during and after

Reed Midem said MIPCOM Warm Up sessions, which begin 5 October, will offer “early access” to market intelligence sessions, content & finance briefings and the MIPJunior screenings platform, as well as use of the MIPCOM digital hub to plan meetings for the MIPCOM week.

Organisers added that a fully digital ‘Main Stage Cannes’ conference and screenings programme would be on offer between 12-16 October, with Upfronts, keynotes, market screenings and the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards.

A ‘virtual exhibit hub’ is also in the works while an “enhanced database” is being designed to allow users to set up meetings.

A MIPCOM Follow Up+ will also be available online, running from 17 October to 17 November, enabling delegates to replay screenings, keynotes and conference sessions, from both the main event and MIPJunior. Delegates and exhibitors will also be able to continue to conduct business through the MIPCOM Online+ database tools and virtual exhibit hub, as well as using the MIPJunior digital library.

“Our motivation has always been to bring together the global entertainment community around the flagship week of MIPCOM in order to support content discovery and new business deals, whether online or in person,” said Laurine Garaude, director of Reed MIDEM’s TV division.

“We made clear when we announced MIPCOM Rendezvous Cannes that we would only hold the physical market if conditions permitted. Due to the ongoing uncertainty around Covid-19 and recently increased travel restrictions, we believe that MIPCOM ONLINE+ is the most effective way to move forward and to gather the global television community around MIPCOM Week.”

MIPCOM organisers Reed Midem had previously put in place a raft of measures designed to ensure the market – normally the biggest TV event on the circuit – could go ahead, but the ongoing going effects of Covid-19 have prevailed.

Many major distributors had already said they would not be attending the annual event as the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt globally. BBC Studios became the first to confirm it would have no physical presence at MIPCOM in July, as revealed by TBI.