MIPCOM 2024: What's Next in TV
Published 31 October 2024
6 min read
From October 21-24, the global television industry gathered at the 40th annual MIPCOM event in Cannes, France, to discuss the formats, genres, platforms and audience trends shaping their content plans. From nostalgia-heavy programming to the continuing rise of ad-based streaming and new priorities in kids’ entertainment, we outline some of the key insights set to influence the future of TV.
Prime Time Content: Nostalgia & Procedurals
- Nostalgia Stays Strong: Several entertainment brands announced nostalgic light-entertainment titles. Warner Bros. Discovery discussed a Harry Potter-based baking competition show, as well as a game show based on NBC sitcom Friends, and Hasbro Entertainment has produced a game show based on popular 80s board game Trivial Pursuit. In the UK, ITV is working with Mattel on a Pictionary game show.
- Procedurals Reign: The bread and butter of subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms, procedurals (TV shows focused on professional settings, e.g. police departments, hospitals) were big news.
With US law procedural Suits becoming the most-streamed title on Netflix in 2023, a spin-off, Suits: L.A., is now being promised by NBC for 2025 and generating excitement. Also set to be deeply popular is Tony & Ziva, a spin-off of long-running CBS crime series NCIS, arrives in 2025.
Tony & Ziva
Suits LA
 Tony & Ziva |  Suits LA |
Streaming with Ads: Global Growth
- FAST Global Growth: Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) and ad-based video on demand (AVOD) have seen major uptake in the US thanks to platforms like Tubi, Freevee, Roku, and Pluto TV. Now, according to one session, FAST/AVOD growth in global territories including the Middle East, Africa, South America and Europe is set to outpace the US.
Tubi launched in the UK in summer 2024, and a roster of FAST/AVOD plans are in the works for markets including the UK, Spain, France, Italy and Germany – for example, Sony Pictures is launching a Europe-wide 54-channel FAST service. In Brazil, FAST revenue (expected to triple from $119m to $303m) is set to make it the third largest FAST market globally by 2029 behind the US and the UK.
Pluto TV
Freevee
 Pluto TV |  Freevee |
Kids’ TV: Fandoms, YouTube & Wellbeing
- YouTube: The Future of Kids’ TV: Another hot topic was how streaming platforms like Disney+ are struggling to secure Gen Alpha’s attention, in large part because of kids’ preference for “social TV” (videos on social media platforms). YouTube is now the most popular entertainment source for Gen Alpha globally.
Consequently, several panels encouraged producing YouTube-native kids’ TV. One company getting noticed was Kedoo, a Dubai-headquartered entertainment producer that makes shows specifically for its kids’ YouTube channel, with 8.4 million subscribers. Its latest show, Sonya from Toastville, has accrued 128 million views on YouTube since releasing in February.
- Cross-Platform Fandoms: Industry executives were keen to point out how Alpha fandom needs to be nurtured via omni-platform, interconnected approaches that reach them across streaming, social media, and gaming spaces such as Roblox.
Pete Robinson
Founder, Gone With
These [kids’] audiences don’t just sit outside of the brand now; they are part of the brand.
- Wellbeing via TV: Several contributors highlighted wellbeing-minded kids’ TV, confronting issues like climate anxiety and harmful digital habits.
A popular example was presented by Canadian kids’ entertainment company Sinking Ship, which has partnered with Australian charity Global Citizen on Media Stamped, a docuseries helping nine- to 11-year-olds develop a healthier relationship with their mobile phones.
Sportstainment Moves
- Soccer Studios: As explored in Sportstainment: The Future of Sports Fan Experiences, Spanish soccer league LaLiga is a trailblazer in bringing entertainment formats into football coverage. Now, it’s partnering with Spanish television production company Banijay Iberia to form LaLiga Studios, to produce original sportstainment content like docuseries, and make content for sport sponsors.
- Sports Commentary Takes the Spotlight: Meanwhile, French media giants Mediawan and StudioCanal have teamed up to make a first-of-its-kind sportstainment talent show, dedicated to finding the best new sports commentator. The first season of Hit the Mic! A New Voice for Sports performed well in France, and a second is in production, with the format available at MIPCOM for global buyers.
Hit the Mic! A New Voice for Sports