MIPCOM 2026 Takeaways: Surfing The New Wave Of TV With YouTube, ‘Baywatch’, Skydance, Banijay & More
MIPCOM, the international TV market in Cannes, drew 10,000 attendees and more than 3,000 buyers as the industry widened its focus to include YouTube and creator businesses. The gathering highlighted how traditional television companies are adapting to changing distribution, while weighing the opportunities and risks posed by platforms and new technology.
The Baywatch reboot brought star power, while Skydance’s combined programme sales operation faced questions about whether it would sell content externally or reserve it for its own services. Banijay’s merger with All3Media created a 265,000-hour library, with expansion into US scripted programming a key challenge. AI firms promoted ways to streamline TV businesses, amid recognition that adoption could reduce jobs.
- MIPCOM brought together 10,000 attendees and over 3,000 buyers.
- YouTube and creator businesses featured alongside traditional TV companies.
- AI adoption and Banijay’s US ambitions were major industry questions.
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MIPCOM is a yearly international TV market in Cannes, where broadcasters, producers and buyers meet to discuss and trade programmes. Television companies have traditionally relied on schedules and deals with broadcasters, but audiences now also watch through online platforms such as YouTube and follow individual creators.
The key players include Skydance, a US entertainment company, and Banijay, a production group that has merged with All3Media. Their large catalogues and sales operations raise questions about how programmes are distributed and who can buy them. The Baywatch reboot shows how familiar titles can be part of efforts to attract audiences.
The industry is also exploring artificial intelligence to speed up or change production and business tasks. These tools could make some work more efficient, while also affecting jobs, so companies are weighing potential gains against possible costs.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Broadening TV markets to include YouTube and creator businesses could help established companies reach changing audiences, find new buyers and develop fresh revenue. Mergers, expanded sales operations and AI tools may also create scale and efficiencies that help companies compete and finance new programming.
The case against
A shift towards platforms and consolidation could weaken traditional broadcasters’ control, reduce diversity of outlets and concentrate bargaining power in a few large firms. AI-driven efficiencies may come at the cost of jobs, while companies with their own services could keep valuable programmes in-house, limiting access for other buyers.