22 The level of participation from Latin American companies at this year’s MIPCOM CANNES is once again marginal. Of course, that has historically been the case, but each new year sees fewer and fewer LatAm-based participants at the market. Before the start of the largest international content sales event in the world, which is to be held in Cannes October 16-19, and is now in its 39th year, LatAm was to be officially represented by no more than two exhibitors from Argentina (the only country in Latin America with a national pavilion), three from Brazil, one from Colombia, and three from Mexico. Among the registered buyers are eight companies from Argentina, 10 companies from Brazil, five companies from Chile, four companies from Colombia, one company from Honduras, four companies from Mexico, two companies from Peru, and one from Puerto Rico. While this may seem grim for LatAm, in reality, the reason for such low participation from folks from the LatAm region at MIPCOM is simple. And that reason is MIP Cancun. The organizer of MIP Cancun, RX France, launched this event a decade ago in that Mexican resort city to attract players the hail from south of the Rio Grande who were reluctant to cross the Atlantic for the larger MIPCOM. And it did just that with great success until it ultimately became the main meeting venue for international distribution and production aimed at Latin countries. Other causes of the low LatAm participation at MIPCOM include two competing events taking place in Miami just a couple of months later: NATPE Global and Content Americas. Based on the opinions that this reporter gathered from LatAm buyers and sellers, it seems that the content sales market program begins for them in Cancun and ends in Miami. But there are yet other reasons that Latin American companies don’t have a big presence in Cannes. Chief among them are lower budgets to invest in content and the competition from streaming. FTA television stations, local pay channels, and pan-regional networks have fewer resources to acquire foreign content or undertake international co-productions. Plus, many countries that used to be very active in the audiovisual industry now have economies that are in complete disarray. Argentina, for example, which used to have scores of companies actively participating at fairs in the pre-pandemic years, is now on the verge of bankruptcy, with its national currency completely devalued. In fact, the Argentine peso is so degraded that it is not even accepted in neighboring countries. These days, not a single one of the main markets in Latin America has a robust and storm-free media sector, and even though financial reports strive to show “significant” advertising growth (compared to previous years), the limitations of the media, with very few exceptions, are evident. Hence, the relevance that MIP Cancun has for Latin Americans. MIP Cancun has effectively become their first event of the year. The second is in Miami. And there the market year ends for them. “In Cancun we see what is there, we start a deal, and if it is not defined, then we look to close it in Miami”, said one Mexican broadcaster who is a frequent visitor to international expoconferences. He added: “We do not have the resources we had before, nor is there any hope of having them again, and the reason is not just the pandemic.” It looks like MIP Cancun has turned the traditional industry calendar upside down. Some sellers who traditionally attend Cancun just do things differently. Titles that could have had an international premiere a month before at MIPCOM are instead delayed and exhibited for the first time at the Mexican meeting. The 800 attendees registered for last year’s edition of what has become the industry’s number one international distribution and co-production market for Latin America and U.S. Hispanic TV can easily scale up to the 1,000 registered participants from 40 countries projected this year by the organizer, RX. Due to the increased demand to participate at MIP Cancun, this year, the more than 100 tables reserved for its 2022 market will surely be expanded to a larger number when the event celebrates its 10th anniversary this November 14-17. And what about the expectations for Miami in January 2024? Despite the overlap and the five days between NATPE Global and Content Americas, for the most part, the executives consulted for this report assure that they will participate in both in order to evaluate and then make decisions for 2025. After coming out strong with its stellar debut on the North American continent, C21’s Content Americas is hoping to replicate that between January 23 and 25, 2024. The big question lies in the challenge faced by the Canadian Brunico Communications to restore a NATPE Global that had gained mystique and acceptance among Latin Americans in the industry. To do so, it has taken some risks. Although there are still uncertainties, deciding to be the first market of the year (January 16 to 18 at the InterContinental Miami) is considered a strong move. (By Omar Mendez) Peekaboo LatAm, Where Are You? Getting Ready for Cancun October 2023 Territories Omar Mendez is the editor-in-chief of the Spanish-language newsletter, The Daily Television. These days, not a single one of the main markets in Latin America has a robust and storm-free media sector ... the limitations are evident.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI4OTA5