A TV Trade Show with Different Implications than MIP Cancun By Jimmy Arteaga Grustein* 28 To speak about MIPCOM Cannes is to speak about the last remaining marketplace where executives from major production companies, buyers, independent producers, and talent gather once a year. For those of us fortunate enough to have experienced it, the memory of legendary markets such as the majestic NATPE in various U.S. cities still lingers as it was an event that drew between 20,000 and 25,000 participants. In those crowded hallways, buyers, sellers, producers, and talent mingled seamlessly, often in the midst of the “culinary competitions” staged at the grand booths of Los Angeles-based studios. Beyond the glamour of the French Côte d’Azur, the elegance of its streets, and the prestige of its historic hotels, MIPCOM Cannes stands as the true crossroads of the global entertainment industry. It is here where the latest launches in formats, reality shows, scripted series, and telenovelas are unveiled today joined by innovations in artificial intelligence and the ever-expanding digital universe. These products are showcased not only through screenings and presentations but also with the presence of the stars who bring them to life. I travel to MIPCOM Cannes with a wellstructured agenda, and although my schedule is often heavily packed, I make it a point to attend seminars, particularly those focused on new trends shaping the industry. As a buyer and co-producer, I meet with the companies I regularly work with, but I also make time to visit independent distributors, many of whom offer unique products and formats that are not immediately visible in the mainstream marketplace. Equally significant are the conferences and panel discussions that feature the industry’s most distinguished executives, offering insight into the future and addressing the constant transformations shaping entertainment worldwide. Social gatherings are also an integral part of the MIPCOM experience. Cocktails, dinners, and parties are always present, and I make it a priority to attend at least some of them. These occasions provide the perfect setting to socialize, exchange ideas and perspectives, and connect with executives we rarely get to interact with throughout the year. Of course, it is inevitable to arrive at the market searching for the so-called “gems.” Yet this year there is also much to share. At Hemisphere Media Group, we have recently embarked on co-productions of vertical dramas, along with two original formats that we are preparing to distribute to the international market. These daily formats have already proven to be an absolute success, leading audiences in primetime and consolidating their value as global offerings. MIPCOM Cannes stands apart from other markets because it brings together sellers and buyers from every continent, offering, in our case as participants from the Americas, a unique perspective on what is happening across the rest of the world. The same applies to buyers and producers who travel from other continents. While just a few weeks later we have MIP Cancun in Mexico, in practice one market does not affect the other for most distributors, as MIP Cancun carries a different connotation. It is a market where pending deals are often finalized, and where the strongest focus lies on regional co-production opportunities. For content buyers, each market has its own distinct characteristics. Ultimately, markets like MIPCOM Cannes and MIP Cancun are not just about acquisition lists; they are about building trust, pressure-testing ideas in real time, and aligning creative ambition with commercial clarity. That is why we arrive prepared, listen as much as we speak, and leave with concrete next steps from locking film packages to greenlighting co-productions, so the momentum we generate in Cannes translates into measurable results with audiences back home. MIPCOM Cannes continues to preserve unique magic. It remains the one place where professionals in our industry, whether in sales, production, or acquisitions, can find everything they seek: knowledge, cuttingedge content, and, often, the perfect deal. * Jimmy Arteaga Grustein is CCO of Puerto Rico’s Hemisphere Media Group and president of Programming, Promotion & Production of WAPA-TV. Beyond the glamour of the French Cote d’Azur, MIPCOM Cannes stands as the true crossroads of the global entertainment industry. (Continued from Cover) VIDEOAGE October 2025 LatAm Buyer's POV: MIPCOM
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