MIP Cancun Viewed From the South Cone By Patricia Daujotas* 20 At Canal 10 in Uruguay, we go to MIP Cancun with clear objectives. Our main goal is to connect with our existing partners — the content distributors, studios, and producers with whom we’ve established trusted relationships over the years. This includes major international distributors, as well as regional players that understand the nuances of Latin American audiences. Over the past few years, MIP Cancun has established itself as a critical market for TV content buyers in Latin America, and in my personal experience, it has grown in both relevance and impact. In general, events like MIP Cancun offer the perfect platform to keep up with changes, establish new partnerships, and reflect on shared challenges and opportunities. One of MIP Cancun’s greatest strengths is the efficiency of its meeting structure. The pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings allow for highly focused, business-driven interactions. The use of time is extremely accurate, and we find the system to be ideal for fitting in a large number of productive meetings over just a few days. Both the acquisitions area and the co-production/project development area are very well organized. Mexico is a highly convenient location for MIP Cancun. It serves as a natural hub for Latin America — both geographically and culturally. For many of us in the region, Cancun is easier and more affordable to reach than European markets, and the environment is conducive to doing business in a relaxed yet professional setting. Being together in the same place makes the networking much easier as well. Our approach to MIP Cancun starts well before we land in Mexico. Preparation is key, and we take it very seriously. In the weeks leading up to the market, we meet internally with several departments — particularly the programming team, audience research unit, and sales department. We review current programming grids and identify upcoming time slots that will need replacement. Based on that, we define our acquisition needs across genres: scripted, unscripted, factual, and entertainment formats. Our research team also provides audience insights to help guide our decisions. We’re looking not only at what’s working today, but also at where consumption habits are going, especially in terms of younger demos and digital platforms. This helps us prioritize the types of content we want to explore during the event. At Canal 10, we typically schedule meetings with companies that have a strong portfolio, but we always also eagerly try to meet every single company that distributes content. As leaders in our territory, not only in entertainment but also in news, we are interested in exploring both formats that resonate with mass audiences and those that offer more innovative storytelling or hybrid concepts. We are open to meeting new companies, as well. MIP Cancun provides a unique opportunity to discover new voices and emerging players, where content often aligns well with our audience preferences. We are always looking for fresh ideas, formats, and opportunities in general, and this event allows us to connect with up-and-coming players who may not yet be on our radar. At MIP Cancun, we often meet with other buyers from similar markets, as well, to exchange views. These informal conversations are just as valuable as formal meetings. We tend to connect most with colleagues from countries whose TV markets resemble ours. Those markets share similar audience behaviors, challenges, and even regulatory environments. We compare notes on what’s working, what’s underperforming, and how we’re each responding to changes in the competitive landscape, including the rise of FAST channels and AVoD platforms. Similarly, regarding conferences, we try to attend seminars and panels, time permitting. These sessions offer a broader context about the global market, which is especially useful when navigating shifting audience habits, digital disruption, or changes in content trends. Hearing from industry leaders, fellow broadcasters, streamers, and even advertisers helps us gain perspective and assess where we stand. It’s not just about what we’re buying or producing — it’s about understanding how people are watching, what platforms are gaining ground, and how new formats are shaping the future of entertainment. As a final comment for improvements, one area that could be enhanced is the balance between scheduled meetings and open networking time. While the structure is great, it sometimes leaves very little room for spontaneous conversations or deep dives into ongoing partnerships. More dedicated networking spaces or casual meet-ups would help facilitate these important conversations. *Patricia Daujotas serves as director of Content for Canal 10 Uruguay, leading the network’s programming strategy and content acquisitions in close cooperation with the channel’s other divisions. Patricia Daujotas (l.) with Universal Cinergia’s Liliam Hernandez and Gema Lopez at MIP Cancun 2024. More dedicated networking spaces or casual meet-ups would help facilitate important conversations. (Continued from Cover) This year the Breakfast with Buyers has been scrapped. VIDEOAGE November 2025 Buyer’s POV
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