Mip TV Director Lucy Smith Talks Up Presence Of U.S. Majors In Cannes As Annual Market Pivots To “Business Efficient” Approach

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: An influx of U.S. studios and streamers heading to next week’s Mip TV should mitigate the loss of some of the bigger European distributors, according to Lucy Smith, who runs the annual market.Delegates from Netflix, Amazon and HBO are heading to Cannes as the streamers push into Europe in a big way and seek content for their growing platforms, with HBO Max Global boss Johannes Larcher set to deliver a keynote, while traditional studios Fox, Sony, Lionsgate, Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount, eOne and A+E will all be there in some form.While not all will be exhibiting (Warner Bros is set to take its traditional stand but many will only be sending delegations), Smith welcomed the arrival of so many big beasts from across the pond including new divisions to the market such as Fox Alternative Entertainment.“This adds up to a really strong presence and the U.S.

is just so important for the overall market,” Smith told Deadline.With the February London Screenings now an established part of the annual distribution calendar, the U.S.

delegations could mitigate the loss of some of the key European distributors’ stands such as ITV Studios and Banijay Rights, although Smith stressed they will still be in Cannes.“Some of the major European players have been prioritizing the London Screenings for a few years now so that is no surprise,” she added. “But the Screenings gives an opportunity for buyers to see content and this creates follow-up meetings that can take place at Mip, so there are always opportunities.”“Business efficient”After a difficult two years that have had major ramifications for RX France, the newly-merged company that runs Mip TV, this year’s event is the first for three years to take place in person and