CNBC anchorman Ross Westgate (photo) and his team were in Cannes for MIPCOM, broadcasting interviews with industry movers and shakers from Disney, YouTube, Havas and NBC about the current state and prospects of the audiovisual content market. Click here for full coverage! ...

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In the context of MIPCOM 2008's Broadband Video Summit, Erik Huggers, the BBC's director of future media and technology, spoke to journalist Kate Bulkley. He notably revealed a kids' iPlayer was in the pipeline.

This video and more in the MIP Review, MIPCOM edition, now online!

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YouTube co-founder and CEO Chad Hurley addressed the audiovisual content industry at MIPCOM, October 15, 2008. He urged delegates to embrace change, rather than fear it.


This video and more in the MIP Review, MIPCOM edition, now online!

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Actor Jude Law and director Jeremy Gilley were at MIPCOM in Cannes (0ct 13-17, 20008) to promote The Day After Peace, Gilley's documentary which Law helped come about. Here the pair talk to C21Media's C21 TV about this original project. ...

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The key to getting online video into the living room is industry acceptance of an open-standard set-top box, Erik Huggers, director of future media and technology at the BBC, said during his Big Interview at the Broadband Video Summit yesterday.

"The notion of the internet reaching PCs, Macs, Linux devices and increasingly mobile devices is fantastic news for all rights owners," he said. "The same thing is happening in the living room. The question is: Can there be an open IPTV standard that device makers adopt to enable a direct-to-consumer delivery of on-demand content in ...

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YouTube founder and CEO Chad Hurley introduced MIPCOM delegates yesterday to the four Rs: reach, research, revenue and rights management.

Giving his Broadband Video keynote, he said that YouTube’s rapid evolution demonstrated its ability to deliver on all of those. With 13 hours of video being uploaded on to the site every minute – equivalent to Hollywood releasing 57,000 movies a week – and hundreds of millions of users every week, there was no doubt about YouTube’s ability to enable content owners to reach new audiences, he said.

Media companies were also able to use ...

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Starz Media and Electronic Arts (EA) have joined forces to create a full-length animated movie prequel based on Dead Space, EA’s space horror computer game.

Downfall picks up the plot where the original comic-book series ends and leads up to the Dead Space game.

“This is a completely new departure for EA,” said Glen Schofield, the game developer’s vice-president and executive producer.

“First and foremost we are a creative company that makes games. When we devised the story for Dead Space we quickly realised that the story we had created was far ...

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The BBC’s motoring show Top Gear showed no sign of slowing down this week, after BBC Worldwide licensed the format to Russia.

MIR Reality Production, which is to produce the Russian version, is currently looking for three local presenters for 15 adrenalin-fuelled episodes. The show is destined for the private federal broadcaster REN TV.

Anton Nazaro, director of communications at REN TV, said: “The UK version of Top Gear has already proved its popularity in Russia and we think a local version will make a big impact. We are looking forward to working closely ...

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Left to right: Henson's Peter Schube, Discovery Kids Latin America's Bilai Joa Silar and Henson's John Hyde and Sam Ewing

The Jim Henson Company has sold its newest pre-school animated show to Discovery Kids Latin America and a trio of Canadian public broadcasters.

TVO, SCN-Saskatchewan and British Columbia's Knowledge join Latin America's largest children's channel in picking up Sid The Science Kid (40 x 30 mins), a computer animation that combines modern theories of teaching science with music, fun and an inquisitive central character.

"The response at MIPCOM has been great, and ...

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Award-winning producers Richard Taylor, of New Zealand's Weta Workshop (left), and Keith Chapman, of Chapman Entertainment, have joined forces on a new kids’ action-adventure series, Trooper Tom (26 x 22 mins), aimed at boys aged six to nine.

"Boys of this age are moving away from television," Chapman said. "Trooper Tom and his friends – and the Strike Pods that they fly on their missions – will catch their imaginations, just as Thunderbirds caught ours."

Taylor added: "We're developing Trooper Tom as a cross-platform property with gaming that incorporates cinematic-quality CGI." The lead female ...

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This year saw the launch of a new initiative to get content-makers involved in filming events at MIPCOM and Toronto-based film-maker Mark Terry of Polar Cap Productions (centre, with his crew) was one of eight directors to be asked to direct a film based on this year's Opening Night Party.

"I was stunned, but equally thrilled at the honour of being chosen to represent my country among some of the world's greatest film-makers at such an internationally prestigious event," Terry said. The theme of the event was creativity.

Each ...

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In this exclusive behind-the-scenes interview ahead of his keynote address, YouTube CEO Chad Hurley explains what he and his company are doing at MIPCOM, how it is working with the audiovisual content industry, and his site's consequences for the future of television...

Watch this space for our conference report and video coverage!

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In this MIP Blog guest post, Domenic Venuto, SVP media & entertainment for interactive marketing firm Avenue A | Razorfish and a MIPCOM conference speaker this week, explains how make the most of your content online.

Avenue A | Razorfish is one of the largest interactive marketing and technology companies in the world with a dedicated Media & Entertainment Practice.

We build experiences that engage consumers, attract advertisers and deliver business value to media organisations.

We have done a lot of work consulting, designing and building video players that leverage our clients assets ...

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Adrian Grenier, star of hedonistic US comedy series Entourage, isn’t just into having fun: he also wants to make us greener.

In Entourage, Grenier’s character Vincent Chase makes it big as a Hollywood actor and takes his friends with him for the ride.

In Alter Eco (13 x 60 mins), Grenier is joined by a different entourage — a team of green activists — who together demonstrate that being green can be fun and creative, while still making a difference.

“I’m often asked what’s the difference between myself and Vince,” Grenier exclusively ...

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Fremantlemedia chief creative officer Gary Carter (right) and presenter and mastermind of online entertainment Ze Frank mixed comedy and erudite analysis in a creative keynote sponsored by Entertainment Master Class, The Format Academy for Entertainment Television.

Carter noted that the proliferation of user generated content and authorship tools that allowed audiences to play in media spaces would not trigger the death of TV, but rather encourage a richer media space and alternative forms to TV's linear narrative.

"We make things bigger and that go on longer. We repackage it and reassemble it ...

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Michael Eisner, former CEO of Walt Disney Company and the founder of The Tornante Company, said that no matter whether your are a film-maker, producer, buyer, seller, financier, distributor, working in old media, working in new media, "there is one thing that all of us share in common and that is that we worship at the altar of creativity".

At his Creativity In A Box keynote, Eisner said: From my point of view, there is one methodology that increases the odds of consistency in success and that is the box,” adding that early in the ...

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Left to right: Legend of the Seekers' producers Kenneth Biller (left) and Ned Nalle (right) with Disney's Ben Pyne

The plethora of content platforms represented at MIPCOM is underlined by a string of deals by Disney-ABC-ESPN Television.

The Portuguese telco Sonaecom has signed a multi-year agreement for its Clix SmarTV IPTV (internet protocol TV) service to stream new features and offer library titles for rent.

A similar pact with Kabel Plus for the Czech and Slovakian video-on-demand (VOD) service Metoo will also cover new features, such as WALL-E and library items.

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2waytraffic comes to its first MIPCOM as a Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) company with a slate of new in-house and third-party formats — and a mission to forge partnerships with “creative people and companies”, according to CEO Kees Abrahams (left).

In its new incarnation, the Dutch company is responsible for the international distribution of Sony formats, as well as its own shows.

"One reason we acquired 2waytraffic was its distribution expertise," said Michael Grindon, president of SPTI. "We think they can do a great job of licensing our content."

Abrahams said ...

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Left to right: AETN's Steve Ronson and Sean Cohan; BSkyB's Sophie Turner; and The History Channel's Richard Mehlman

In a first outside the US, Crime & Investigation Network HD (CI HD) and The Biography Channel HD (BIO HD) are set to launch in the UK and Ireland from November 5.

The brands will be carried on Sky’s HD platform in both territories and will be operated by The History Channel UK, a joint venture between A&E Television Networks (AETN) and Sky.

As dedicated HD channels, both CI HD and BIO HD will ...

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"Viewers will always seek out high quality content," said Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman, delivering a message of optimism in these turbulent times at his packed MIPCOM 2008 keynote yesterday (October 13).

This video and more soon, in the MIP Review, MIPCOM Edition... Meanwhile, click here for the MIPCOM daily News' keynote report

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Magician David Merlini broke a world record at MIPCOM's Opening Cocktail last night (October 13): encouraged by his friend and mentor, mentalist Uri Geller (right), he accomplished the considerable feat of holding his breath underwater in a glass tank for over 20 minutes, considerably beating the previous record of 17 minutes and 19 seconds.

A spectacular finish was guaranteed by the breaking of the glass at the end of his turn; fortunately, the Majestic hotel wasn't flooded!

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Hordes of delegates gathered on the Carlton beach Sunday evening (October 12) for the official MIPCOM Junior closing cocktail.

The event was sponsored by Telescreen, who celebrated their 25th anniversary by presenting new kids’ animation series Frog And Friends.

A frogtastic time was had by all; inparticular the Telescreen staff, who were all dressed as Frog himself!

This article and more in the MIPCOM daily News: here!

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“My role is as a believer rather than as a famous face,” Jude Law said yesterday on his arrival at MIPCOM as Peace One Day Ambassador.

The film star said he was “deeply honoured” to be supporting his friend, film-maker Jeremy Gilley (left), in spreading the peace message.

The two are promoting the documentary The Day After Peace, which charts Gilley’s 10-year battle for a global day of ceasefire and non-violence — an annual UN International Day Of Peace was established in 2001.

But the campaign does not stop there. Gilley said he and Law were producing another film “which will tell the story of the next few ...

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Technology may be changing the media landscape but content and brands remain crucial, Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said in his MIPCOM keynote, October 13.

Illustrating his point with Viacom hit properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Hills and The Indiana Jones film franchise, he said:

“Technology gives consumers the ability to consume content when they want and how they want. But new technology can’t replace great content and great brands.”

In a speech designed to reassure the core MIPCOM constituency, he argued emphatically that television remains the dominant entertainment medium.

However he also underlined the importance of online and mobile in “extending and deepening the entertainment experience.

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Long-running Scottish detective series Taggart is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the completion of its 100th episode.

To mark the two events, the show’s principal actors are at MIPCOM to meet the media and greet international buyers.

Taggart, set in and around Glasgow, claims to be the world’s longest continually running police drama.

It has survived various cast changes, including the death of actor Mark McManus, who played the original title character.

Paul Sheehan, commercial director of STV Productions, which makes the series for ITV, said: “The secret of Taggart’s sustained success is down to strong scripts, compelling storylines and the fact that viewers’ love a great whodunit.”

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Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav used his Green Keynote October 13 to explain how the leading non-fiction creator and broadcaster is contributing to the global environmental debate.

Having launched its groundbreaking Planet Green channel across all media platforms, Zaslav told a packed MIPCOM auditorium that Discovery was not chasing after “the dark greens” but themainstreamaudience thatwants to “do a bit better” in terms of its green commitment.

“This channel is not all about the fact that the ice ismelting.We tackle the serious stuff— but the channel has got to be fun to watch too.”

Zaslav also explained how Discovery is no longer interested in just supplying its in-house ...

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Jane Seymour’s long acting career began in 1969, when she played a small role in Richard Attenborough’s film version of Oh! What A Lovely War.

Since then, she has appeared in many film and TV productions, including playing Bond girl Solitaire in Live And Let Die, starring in the US TV production Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, executive producing several film and TV projects, and winning two Golden Globe awards as best actress.

Now, Seymour is back in front of the cameras, starring as a TV host turned detective in the ITV Global Entertainment television movie, Dear Prudence.

She has made her first ever visit to MIPCOM to create international awareness of the ...

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WTTW National Productions has teamed up with Roman Coppola’s Directors Bureau to launch Mission To Planet 429 (104 x 11 mins or 52 x 30 mins), a new mixed-media comedy-adventure series for children aged between six and nine.

Daniel Schmidt (photo), president and CEO of WTTW, said the property would premiere on US public television in 2010, as well as on media platforms and in markets worldwide.

The retro sci-fi Mission To Planet 429 focuses on the twists and turns of two rookie intergalactic ‘earthsplorers’, who are attempting to save their planet from peril.

The series aims to encourage children to develop their reading and comprehension skills as they ...

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Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids president Cyma Zarghami, the boss of Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants and many more, gave MIPCOM Junior 2008's keynote October 12. She was introduced by MIPCOM's Paul Johnson.

This video and more in the MIP Review, MIPCOM Edition: coming very soon!

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British movie star Jude Law is in Cannes today with film-maker Jeremy Gilley, to publicise Gilley’s film The Day After Peace.

Law makes an appearance in the 2008 documentary that charts Gilley’s 10-year struggle to persuade the countries of the world to recognise an official day of ceasefire and non-violence.

Gilley, who is founder of the non-profit organisation Peace One Day (POD) finally achieved his goal in 2001 when a United Nations General Assembly resolution for- mally established the annual UN International Day Of Peace — September 21. The film’s conclusion ...

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Gok Wan (photo) has come to teach Cannes how to look good naked.

He heads an All3Media International line-up that showcases ex-RDF man Stephen Lambert’s new company and a new concept development venture.

Miss Naked Beauty (6 x 60 mins), a new series and format co-presented by Gok and Mylene Klass, offers women an unexpected ‘make-under’, before inviting them to reveal all to the nation. It is the first pro- gramme from Maverick Television to be sold by All3Media after the group bought the Birmingham-based producer in 2007.

Studio ...

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National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) has announced a $100m production alliance with Imagenation Abu Dhabi (IAD) at MIPCOM 2008.

Under the deal, the two partners aim to produce 10-15 factual films over the next five years for the Arabic-speaking and global markets.

The fund was announced by Tim Kelly, president of National Geographic Global Media, and Edward Borgerding, CEO of IAD, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC).

They revealed that the films would range in value from $5m-$60m and focus on topics such as people’s relationship to the world, the ...

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Disney Channel’s music-filled movie Camp Rock has notched up sales in 78 territories after the latest deals were announced at MIPCOM.

The story of a talented teenager and jaded pop star who find fusion at a talent camp was an instant ratings hit at its European free-TV launch, on ProSieben in Germany on Sep- tember 20, and airings in Spain and Portugal topped their time slots. Camp Rock has already reached more than 74 million viewers worldwide.

Meanwhile, Disney’s expansion into digital content distribution con- tinued with two deals in Cannes.

Hit ...

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In this, the first of our live posts from Cannes, Havas Media — MIPCOM 2008's main advertising partner — exclusively reveals the results of a survey into consumers' perception of climate change. Read on to find out why climate change can no longer be just a fad...


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MIPCOM is the world’s audiovisual content market. It takes place October 13-17, 2008, in Cannes, France. It is preceded (October 11-12) by MIPCOM Junior, the international showcase for children’s programming.

This blog is the brand new debate and news platform for the issues raised by MIPCOM’s conferences. It will notably, for the first time ever, cover MIPCOM 2008 live in text, photos and video, so be sure to check back regularly; or better still, subscribe via RSS.

MIP Blog is coordinated by James Martin, content manager for MIPCOM & ...

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MIPCOM Daily News & Hollywood Reporter journalist Marlene Edmunds, moderates MIPCOM’s Animation Co-Production in Asia conference, October 13.

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The Widgetisation of Media, by Gerd Leonhard

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MIPCOM keynote speaker Gary Wang is founder and CEO of China’s leading video sharing site, Tudou.com, that launched in April 2005. He was previously with the Bertelsmann Group and BOL China.

Wang is clear about the differences between internet services and traditional television channels, and believes there is a place for both. “We have seen just recently what advantages television has over other media, with the Olympics,” he said. “For live events like that, television is the right medium.”

The internet is there to satisfy consumers’ growing need for instant gratification. “It allows ...

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