Team allrites recently returned from MIPCOM in Cannes. This year, “The Mother of All Entertainment Markets” marked its 40th anniversary, drawing over 9,400 attendees, 2,600 buyers, and nearly 1,500 exhibitors from the media landscape. MIPCOM 2024, which ran from October 21 to 24, served as an essential hub for discussing content trends, strategic partnerships, and the shifting landscape of the entertainment industry.
Here’s a look at the standout moments and themes from this year’s event.
Spain: The Country of Honour and Rising Star in Global Production
Spain was celebrated as the Country of Honour at MIPCOM 2024, showcasing its remarkable rise as a global content powerhouse. Spanish productions in both scripted and non-scripted genres are reaching audiences worldwide, and, as a report by ICEX and Parrot Analytics presented at MIPCOM reveals, Spain-originated content is projected to generate an impressive $1.4 billion in global revenue this year alone.
Parrot Analytics’ year-on-year growth data shows a surge in global interest, with demand for Spanish content up by 40% in U.S. and Canada, 56% in LATAM, 67% in Africa, and an impressive 100% in Asia. The increased streaming availability reflects this demand, with Spanish series and films seeing a 22% rise on significant platforms since 2021.
Over the past four years, Spanish content has brought in $5.1 billion in global streaming revenue, with ground-breaking series like Money Heist and Elite leading the way, whose international success has opened the door for new projects.
At allrites, we’ve highlighted this phenomenon in our blog, discussing how Money Heist achieved global fame and sparked broader interest in Spanish content. Our posts examine the triumphs and challenges accompanying this growth, including the tax incentives that continue to attract international production.
AI in Film and TV: Transformative Takeaways from MIPCOM’s Applied AI Summit
The focus on AI at MIPCOM 2024 was impossible to ignore, with the Applied AI Summit marking a significant acknowledgment of AI’s growing influence in the entertainment industry. Dedicating an entire summit to this topic underscores AI's importance as it reshapes every facet of media and entertainment, from production and distribution to audience engagement and strategic decision-making.
One of the summit’s key outcomes was the rapid adoption of generative AI, with nearly a third of media companies actively using or testing these technologies. The productivity gains alone are a game-changer: AI-driven automation allows creative teams to focus on high-impact storytelling by relieving them of repetitive tasks. The summit highlighted AI’s ability to drive profitability by enabling more targeted audience engagement and refined content strategies. AI-powered insights are helping companies better connect with audiences through personalized content, paving the way for global reach and inclusive storytelling.
However, MIPCOM’s discussions clarified that this rapid AI integration requires a responsible approach. The newly created EU AI Act explored in depth at the summit, emphasizes transparency in AI usage and introduces a new layer of legal responsibility for content creators and distributors. Ethical considerations were also at the forefront, especially in content aimed at younger audiences. Speakers stressed that as AI continues to influence media, companies are responsible for upholding privacy, transparency, and safety standards.
At allrites, we’ve closely followed and analyzed AI’s growing impact on the entertainment industry. Our recent blog series has covered the role of AI in transforming film and TV content, as well as the complex ethical and legal issues that come with its use. Recognizing the potential of AI to open new avenues, we recently launched ContentX by allrites, a solution that bridges content rights holders and AI companies. ContentX provides an ethical and transparent platform for licensed data access, allowing film and TV rights holders to generate new revenue streams by licensing their content for AI training. With ContentX, we aim to support the industry’s evolution by promoting responsible AI practices while empowering creators to thrive in this new era of entertainment.
FAST and AVOD: An Expansion Outside US
MIPCOM’s Global FAST & AVOD Summit highlighted the impressive expansion and strategic importance of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) and AVOD (Advertising-Based Video on Demand), models that have dominated the U.S. market by offering cost-effective, ad-supported alternatives to subscription-based platforms. The discussions around AVOD and FAST began earlier this year at MIPTV, where we at allrites explored how these formats shape digital streaming strategies both in the U.S. and internationally. This October, MIPCOM revealed an intriguing trend: these models spread worldwide.
At the summit, discussions underscored robust engagement in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where these ad-supported models are gaining rapid traction. Samsung TV Plus projected that by 2026, more than 67% of smart TVs will be delivered to the APAC region. In Latin America, high adoption rates in Mexico and Brazil are expected to generate 85% of the region’s AVOD revenue. Platforms like Pluto TV and Samsung TV+ increasingly focus on partnerships and localized content to capture these diverse audiences, emphasizing the importance of regional strategies in this expanding landscape. Europe, too, is catching up, driven by a growing demand for free, ad-supported content: Tubi has recently launched in the U.K., and Sony Pictures has introduced a 54-channel FAST package across Europe.
Another recurring theme we’ve previously discussed was the dual approach of offering both AVOD and FAST channels. Platforms like Tubi now use machine learning to tailor content recommendations for viewers, positioning FAST channels as a complementary experience to AVOD and enhancing engagement. As we mentioned in our April blog, diversifying model offerings is increasingly crucial for platforms looking to maximize reach and retention by accommodating varied viewing habits worldwide.
Localization and channel curation are central to AVOD and FAST’s expansion globally. MIPCOM discussions highlighted the importance of blending local and international content on FAST channels to drive sustained engagement. For instance, Pluto TV focuses on a mix of regional and global programming, a strategy that has proven effective in building viewer loyalty across different markets. Documentaries, too, benefit from AVOD’s accessible model, offering viewers easy entry into niche genres that might otherwise be overlooked.
Trends Shaping Europe—or Setting the Stage for the World?
These themes—spanning Spain’s rise as a production powerhouse, the transformative role of AI, and the global spread of AVOD and FAST models—represent just a snapshot of the many impactful discussions at MIPCOM 2024. This year’s event underscored Europe’s vibrant and evolving influence on entertainment, with numerous other trends and insights shaping the conversation.
With the American Film Market kicking off tomorrow and our team ready to attend, we’re eager to see what’s buzzing across the Atlantic. We’re looking forward to exploring the latest insights and innovations emerging in the U.S. market and continuing to bring you the best of what’s happening on both sides of the globe. Stay tuned for more!
About allrites
Located in Singapore and operating globally, allrites is a premier marketplace for buying and selling film, TV, and sports rights. We provide a vast catalog of Film and TV content, from major studios to independent producers, available in any language and genre. Our innovative licensing models, including allrites Content-as-a-Service, offer flexible and efficient solutions for content monetization and acquisition, accommodating the evolving needs of content buyers and sellers worldwide.
Contact us to learn more about us and our revolutionary CaaS model.
About ContentX by allrites
ContentX is a new solution designed to create fresh revenue opportunities for both content rights holders and AI companies. For film and TV content rights holders, it allows them to unlock new streams of income by distributing and licensing their content across a wider range of platforms, maximizing its reach and potential. Meanwhile, AI companies can leverage the vast library of licensed content available through ContentX to enhance their machine learning models, recommendation systems, and other AI-driven media technologies, opening doors for innovative partnerships and content utilization.
Learn more about ContentX by allrites here.
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