Online, OTT video showcased at MIP Digital Fronts
October 9, 2013
Colin Mann @ MIPCOM
Trade event organiser Reed MIDEM is to launch MIP Digital Fronts at MIPTV 2014, creating the world’s first international screenings to showcase and trade original online video programming and web series, which will be presented to an audience of international buyers, producers, distributors, advertisers and strategists from the global TV and digital entertainment ecosystem.
The 51st annual MIPTV takes place April 7-10, 2014 in Cannes, France. MIP Digital Fronts will take place on Wednesday 9 April in the Palais des Festivals.
The MIP Digital Fronts is designed to reach digital entertainment executives on a global level and aims to create the digital entertainment industry’s first true international marketplace for the production, distribution and acquisition of high-quality original content produced exclusively for audiences of online web channels and app-based/OTT streaming video platforms. They will be a unique opportunity to discover and meet with the future story-tellers and trailblazers who are creating and distributing the content that will play a pivotal role in the future of the global entertainment industry.
The MIP Digital Fronts was conceived by Reed MIDEM following the success at MIPTV 2013 of YouTube’s original online content showcase, which was presented before a capacity audience of buyers and digital content strategists in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals.The MIP Digital Fronts will feature a full day’s programme of 45-minute curated screenings from world-renowned platforms, digital studios and online channels, and will cover all genres of original digital content, including scripted and unscripted series, shorts, formats, games, as well as animation and content targeting kids and young adults. The MIP Digital Fronts will also feature on-stage interviews with the producers, creative executives and talent behind the content. Parties and red-carpet events will round out the programme.
Now in its 51st year, MIPTV is the world’s longest-running annual TV content market, conference and exhibition event. The MIP Digital Fronts will reach a global MIP audience of over 11,000 international executives from some 100 countries, including 4,000 buyers of which 800 are VOD and digital acquisition specialists. MIPTV will introduce a special MIP Digital Fronts accreditation pass to accelerate first-time participation by media buyers, brands and advertisers, especially from European markets, looking to finance and invest in original online content.
“For 50 years, MIPTV has been the global destination to acquire new programmes,” commented Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division. “As the quality of online video entertainment has evolved, the critical mass of audiences and advertisers has now been reached, creating a sustainable marketplace for digital online production and distribution. By introducing the MIP Digital Fronts at MIPTV, we are simultaneously building a market for digital studios, while creating a platform for traditional television and film studios to leverage their digital programming and production assets during the market.”
MIPTV has rapidly been forging a foothold in the digital entertainment ecosystem, with the launch of MIPCUBE in 2011, the forum for Innovation and Audience Engagement at MIPTV.
MIPTV also plays host to the International Digital Emmy Awards, recognising excellence in programming and programme enhancement content, created and designed for viewer interaction and/or delivery on a digital platform (i.e. mobile, internet, interactive TV, etc.) originating outside the United States.