Content Market and Conference Mipcom Attracts 10,100 Delegates, Down by Around 500

As Mipcom, the annual content market and conference in Cannes, wound down on Wednesday, Lucy Smith, the event’s chief, revealed attendance figures for this year’s edition.

Total attendance this year was 10,100 delegates, down approximately 500 from last year, of which 3,150 were buyers – that’s 34% of the total delegate number – down approximately 150 people from last year. Delegates from 104 countries were present versus 107 last year, and MipJunior attendance was 600, of which 165 were buyers, versus 700 and 190 buyers last year.

At a press conference, Smith said, “I think what we have all seen here this week is the global entertainment industry experiencing extraordinary disruption. Consolidation is reshaping the traditional entertainment landscape, and at the same time, though, we’re seeing creators, brands, technology companies and digital platforms becoming key actors of the content economy, bringing new sources of entertainment, new sources of investment, new audiences and new ways of doing business.

“Vertical storytelling and microdramas are challenging the established formats, while AI is changing how content is made. But what is exciting is how this industry is harnessing that disruption, and that disruption is happening here at Mipcom Cannes.

“So our strategy is clear: It is to strengthen Mipcom’s position as the leading international marketplace for content, while bringing in the companies, investment, technologies and business models transforming entertainment. We’re not moving away from our core business; quite the opposite. We’re expanding the opportunities around it. We’re doing that in three ways that are key to the industry’s transformation: delivering brands, AI, verticals and creators, which is bringing in new buyers and distribution models into the market, as well as connecting the industry with new sources of IP and creativity, and creating opportunities for new business partners. This week has shown that strategy in action.”

For early arrivals, proceedings started on Sunday evening with creator Dhar Mann talking about partnering with Hollywood studios and his vision for Creator City in Los Angeles.

Among the headliners on Monday were Banijay Entertainment chairman Jeff Zucker and CEO Marco Bassetti discussing what the future holds following the merger of Banijay and All3Media to create the world’s largest independent production group.

Also topping the bill on the first day was Bela Bajaria, chief content officer at Netflix, who received the Variety Vanguard Award.

Earlier in the day, Pedro Pina, VP of YouTube in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Stephan Schmitter, CEO of RTL in Germany, spoke about their partnership, focused on the action series “Cobra 11.”

Tuesday saw a discussion on the return of “Baywatch,” one of the world’s most-watched series. The conversation featured Michael Thorn, president of the Fox Television Network, and Jens Richter, CEO, commercial and international, Fremantle, and they were joined by actors Brooks Nader and Stephen Amell.

Other speakers on Tuesday included Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator of the “CSI” franchise, Zai Bennett, CEO and chief creative officer, BBC Studios Global Content, Kate Phillips, chief content officer at the BBC, Justin Connolly, VP YouTube global head of media and sports, and Matt Schnaars, president, platform distribution and partnerships at NBCUniversal.

Wednesday’s headliners included Dennis Papirowski, global head of content at TikTok.