What Are You Looking At?

WELCOME TO MIP AND CANNES


OUTSIDE MAIN PALAIS



INSIDE THE PALAIS



LOVE THE RED BAR STOOLS ABOVE AT THIS BOOTH (I THINK THE BOOTH WAS FROM SPAIN)



READING MATERIALS PERTAINING TO ENTERTAINMENT AND MIP HAPPENINGS - IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES


NOTE THE PALE GREY DAMASK PATTERN ABOVE AS THE BACKDROP AT THIS BOOTH



MEETING ON THE HIGH SEAS (WELL, IT COULD HAVE BEEN BUT THE BOAT WAS DOCKED)

Welcome to MIPTV. "MIP" is THE international TV convention that takes place in Cannes, France in April of each year; MIPCOM, of a similar nature is held in October each year. Essentially it is a content market where producers, distributors, networks and the like converge to meet, greet, discuss, view, collaborate, form partnerships perhaps - main objective to buy and sell TV shows. Sometimes it is the show format that is on display, sometimes already produced TV episodes - all for your viewing pleasure. New trends, hot topics and networking fill the day.

Over 13, 000 people attend from over 100 countries (per MIPTV), from China to Nigeria to Israel, Korea and all places in between. Attendees are professionals from the entertainment industry and you must be registered to attend and the price tag is high. Journalists can register as well. The main event, where the exhibitor booths are located, is in the Palais but follow-ups and other meetings are held around the fabulous town of Cannes. Yachts and Cafes and major hotels are typical venues.

Will Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution be "coming soon to Chinese TV"? Where will Jersey Shore travel to? The Singing Bee (currently in the US on CMT) does exist in Greece (and many other countries around the world). How many countries have Big Brother? Where else is the world will the new reality series with Donald Trump and Omarosa air? (It will air in the US starting in June). Dramas, factual programming, serious documentaries, junior and family programming, new game shows. Can you keep your hand on the car longer than the person next to you? Yes, there really is going to be a show where contestants have to keep their hand on a car in order to win - last man standing takes the keys. There are programs that focus on the environment, the planet, biotechnology, history - there really is something for everyone. And, if not, well at least you are in Cannes.

FYI - It was my first MIP and I found the experience quite wonderful in that ideas are shared, that cultural barriers are crossed (or not) and that in a sense, TV, becomes a universal language. How poetic that language is I leave up to you, the viewer.
Advice: wear comfortable shoes.