Mumbai: The 45th edition of MIPTV featuring MILIA 2008 was marked by the unprecedented participation of new media companies in the market. Both in the conference program and the exhibition halls, digital and telecoms companies were more visible than ever, and among the numerous deals signed, many involved both traditional television and technologies such as IPTV, VOD and other Internet platforms.
In total, MIPTV featuring MILIA 2008 brought together 13,360 participants, up from 13,311 in 2007. Some 4,551 companies from 111 countries took part in the market this year, compared to 4,548 companies from 104 countries in 2007.
The total exhibition space covered 22,068m², making it the largest since the creation of MIPTV, hosting 528 stands from 52 countries.
Program buyers were out in force, an indication of the continuing competition for content. The number of acquisitions executives in Cannes was up 16 per cent to 4,422 in 2008 from 3,817 the previous year.
"The major industry trends seen in 2007 have been confirmed in 2008," commented Reed MIDEM’s Television Division director Paul Johnson. "The 2008 edition of MIPTV featuring MILIA was notable for the increased participation of the new players who will be key to the future of our industry, such as digital media and advertising."
Spread over four days, the market’s conference program included 51 sessions featuring more than 140 speakers, among them, 10 top executives who came to give their views on the latest developments in the industry. These included Mattel Brands senior vice president worldwide marketing, media and entertainment Richard Dickson; Shine Group CEO and chairman Elisabeth Murdoch; and France Telecom Group CEO and chairman Didier Lombard.
After Yann Arthus-Bertrand in 2007, the Japanese public broadcaster NHK received the Green World Award 2008 for its commitment to raising public awareness about the environment over the last 50 years.
The third edition of ‘Content 360,’ the festival aimed at stimulating creation and innovation in the field of interactive content and services, was an unprecedented success. Ten winners took home awards this year and they will share €115,000 in prize money to develop their projects.
For the third consecutive year, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences joined with Reed MIDEM to present the International Interactive Emmy Awards, recognizing excellence in interactivity in all its forms.
Over five days, numerous international celebrities were present on the Croisette to present their latest product; Shirley MacLaine for the mini-series Coco Chanel, Sam Neill for Iron Road, Sir Derek Jacobi for Diamonds and the actresses from the French series 5 Sœurs (Sisterhood).
Prior to the start of MIPTV featuring MILIA, the 11th edition of MIPDOC also notched up record participation with 504 companies attending from 60 countries, a 9 per cent increase on 2007. Some 1,415 programs were presented at this edition, of which 920 were brand new.
This year was also notable for a record in the number of programs viewed: 30,254 compared to 24,858 in 2007, a rise of 22 per cent. The keynote speech from director Alex Gibney, winner of this year’s best documentary Oscar, and the awards presented to the five ‘International Trailblazers’, were among the highlights of this edition.
