Mipcom delegates drop by 500, as MIP London plans laid out

Delegates at Mipcom have fallen by around 500 people for its soon-to-wrap 2024 edition, as organisers RX France outlined plans for its first MIP London event next year.

Just over 10,500 delegates from 110 countries attended the 40th anniversary edition of the Cannes market, down from more around 11,000 in 2023.

There were 3,240 delegates classed as buyers by RX and, despite the overall decline, the company said 347 companies had exhibited in and around the Palais des Festivals, up from 320 year-on-year.

The numbers reflect discussions Broadcast has had across the week which revolved around the contracted industry, with companies continuing to have a presence at Mipcom but choosing to send fewer staff as costs bite.

RX said 73 companies had made debuts at the market this year – namely from tech-led sectors – while there were 34 country pavilions, 10 of which were new for 2024 including Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria and Qatar.

US-based attendees had the greatest representation, followed by those from the UK, France, Germany and Spain.

Mip London laid out

Lucy Smith, RX France’s director of Mipcom and Mip London, also laid out her plans for the inaugural UK-based event that will makes its bow in February next year alongside the London TV Screenings.

“It’s not a rival event,” she told a packed room on the third day of Mipcom here in Cannes.

“The first people we spoke to over a year ago now were the founding partners of the London TV Screenings and the first message was this is not a rival event.

“We consulted them ahead of announcing our plans to launch and the reaction is they understand the business reasons to do this.”

Mip London will kick off with an opening party on Sunday, 23 February, before launching at the Savoy Hotel & IET London until 27 February, with booths and meeting tables available.

Smith said her team had been “getting this message that the buyers and the distributors needed a central hub” but played down comparisons with RX France’s other events.

“There is a perception around the cost – everyone compares it to what we do here in Cannes, but what we’re planning in London is a totally different format, it is not a major exhibition. We have plug and play solutions.”

Early bird tickets start at £450 while entry level tables will cost £3,500, while Broadcast understands prices for larger booth areas escalate to five figures.

“It’s very accessible, it is the first year and we understand that change is always challenging but this is a very easy way to come and try it out,” Smith added.

The exec also reflected on the closure of Mip TV, which ran its 61st – and final – edition earlier this year.

“For the last Mip TV there were 3,500 delegates and we all know that isn’t sufficient for a Mip market of that calibre.

“It was time for a radical change and to evolve, bringing a new and additional event to create a central hub around such a busy moment in the calendar.

“That was based on feedback from the clients and buyers needing some kind of centralised organisation to… make it easier to navigate.”

RX also confirmed the 41st edition of Mipcom in Cannes will take place 13-16 October 2025, with MIP Junior returning in its pre-market slot of 11-12 October.