Mipcom Attracts 10,100 Delegates, Down About 500

As Mipcom, the annual content market and conference in Cannes, closed on Wednesday, event director Lucy Smith revealed this year's attendance figures. Total attendance was 10,100 delegates, roughly 500 fewer than last year. Of these, 3,150 were buyers, accounting for 34% of all delegates, a decline of approximately […]

As Mipcom, the annual content market and conference in Cannes, came to a close on Wednesday, event chairman Lucy Smith revealed attendance figures for this year's edition.

This year's total attendance was 10,100 agents, approximately 500 fewer than last year, of which 3,150 were buyers - 34% of the total number of agents - a decrease of approximately 150 from last year. There were representatives from 104 countries compared to 107 last year, and MipJunior had 600 people, of which 165 were buyers, compared to 700 and 190 last year. RELATED STORIES David Ellison's Skydance 'Day One' press conference: Studio Lot Dibs, Trump ties and everything else we learned A24's UK shows 'It Gets Worse', 'The Main Players' and 'Ministry of Time' to air on Paramount+ in the US.

"I think what we've all seen here this week is that the global entertainment industry has undergone tremendous disruption," Smith said at a press conference. Consolidation is reshaping the traditional entertainment landscape, and at the same time, we're seeing creators, brands, technology companies and digital platforms become key players in the content economy, bringing new sources of investment, new sources of investment and entertainment. Popular in Variety

“Vertical storytelling and micro-dramas are challenging existing formats, while artificial intelligence is changing the way content is created. But what's exciting is how the industry is taking advantage of this disruption, and that disruption is happening here at Mipcom Cannes.

So our strategy is clear: strengthen Mipcom's position as the leading international marketplace for content, while transforming companies, investments, technologies and business models. In-market distribution models as well as connecting the industry with new sources of IP and creativity and creating opportunities for new business partners have demonstrated this strategy in action this week.

For early birders, it kicked off on Sunday evening with the "Dar Man" creator talking about working with Hollywood studios and his vision for Maker City in Los Angeles.

In Monday's news, Banijay Entertainment President Jeff Zucker and CEO Marco Basti discussed the future after Banijay and All3Media merge to create the world's largest independent production group.

Also on day one was Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, who received the Variety Vanguard Award.

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

Other speakers on Tuesday included: Anthony E. Zwicker, creator of the "CSI" franchise, Zay Bennett, managing director and chief creative officer, global content BBC Studios, Keith Phillips, chief content officer at the BBC, Justin Connolly, global vice president of media and sports, YouTube, and Matt Schnares, head of distribution platform and partnerships at NBC Univers.

Wednesday's headlines included TikTok's Global Content Director Dennis Papiroski.