The Mipcom international television market — typically the buzziest and most industry-defying event of the year — wrapped without much fuss on Friday.
The virtual-only MIPCOM Online+ had plenty to recommend it — including A-list virtual Q&As with the likes of Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and multi-hyphenate Tyler Perry — and there was a steady flow of announcements and deals. But even the best online market — and organizers Reed Midem set a new high bar with their MIPCOM Online+ platform — can't capture the excitement of an in-person event. It is clear that the global television business wants to get back to normal — and back to a physical market in Cannes — as soon as possible. Whether that will happen by MIP-TV next Spring or by MIPCOM 2021 remains to be seen.
When it came to the hype and the buzz, what excitement there was at MIPCOM 2020 was focused on international shows. This was hardly surprising, as production delays — a result of the pandemic — meant there were few new U.S. series available this year. But it also reflected a broader trend, as non-American, and non-English-language series gain ground, particularly among global streamers.
HBO Max, the new kid on the streaming block, was MIPCOM's big buyer, snatching up multiple shows for its U.S. service, including, a Channel 4 series starring Hayley Squires as a pornstar mother; Sky's phone-hacking drama