MIPCOM 2024: Entertainment Content Converging With Tech

The 40th MIPCOM (Mache International des Programmes de Communication) was considered by most attendees to be stronger than it has been for several years.

The 40^th MIPCOM (Mache International des Programmes de Communication) was considered by many attendees to be stronger than it has been for several years. Over 11,000 delegates attended from over 100 countries, with attendance by around 360 Buyers.

Media has gone through one crisis after another. Back in the 1950s the industry debated whether the introduction of television would be the death of cinema and that didn’t happen. More recently the industry has been hit by several major challenges: economic slowdown, strikes, a pandemic and geopolitical events. There seems to be disruption every year but overall the level of volatility is greater than ever. Whilst, the core of MIPCOM 2024 was international distribution, the festival highlighted the convergence of tech with the entertainment industry. Keynote talks were dedicated to FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television), AVOD (advertising based video on demand) and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

FAST and AVOD are seen as an opportunity to monetise content for producers throughout the lifecycle of that content. In the US there are over 1,900 FAST channels including Tubi, Pluto TV, Roku, Xuma and Peacock. This adds up to a major window of opportunity for films and TV.

Another shift in the industry highlighted at MIPCOM was the upsurge in unscripted and soapy entertainment, reboots of game shows and singing contests. These shows come in at a much lower price than big-budgeted scripted series. They are faster to turn around and less reliant on a big name showrunner or director.

At a time where we are seeing ‘choice fatigue’, something which I feel at times, there is a huge demand for content and for many, content that does not cost money. The FAST sector feeds that demand whilst offering a wealth of potential for IP owners. It really is worth drilling down into that library in the vaults for a hidden gem.

Related content

• MEDIA
• Ian Gibbon
• ARTICLES