Cannes – Major companies and household names from the film and internet world lined up last week alongside their television counterparts for one of the biggest MIPCOMs ever. MIPCOM 2012 cemented a coming together of all sectors of the entertainment business and showed an appetite for developing international deals. The market also welcomed a stellar line-up of keynotes, speakers and stars.

According to Reed MIDEM, some 12,900 delegates from 104 countries, including 4,400 buyers, negotiated and networked their way throughout the event. Of those buyers, over 500 were making dedicated VOD acquisitions.

There were significant increases in the number of companies attending from Latin America (+36%), China (116 companies, +30%), South Korea (119 companies, +12%) and Country of Honour Canada (252 companies, +11%). In addition, the number of U.S. companies in Cannes rose 11%, with all the major U.S. studios in town, including a debut appearance from DreamWorks, represented by DreamWorks Animation and Classics.

Film names cross to TV

In a competitive market, an increasing number of production companies are hiring A-list names to create original programming. Meanwhile, many companies came to MIPCOM with talent, big name producers or show reels, as a sign of their commitment to their programmes and to international buyers.

Attending his first MIPCOM, iconic independent film producer/distributor Harvey Weinstein unveiled The Weinstein Company’s plans to expand in television production and distribution with the likes of epic drama series Marco Polo, reality series Supermarket Superstars and documentary series Seal Team Six. Weinstein also unveiled a new initiative – the World Dance Awards – a LIVE TV show conceived by dancing wizard Michael Flatley.

Like Harvey Weinstein, Oscar-winning writer/director Jane Campion is more used to attending the Cannes Film Festival. So 2012 was her debut appearance at MIPCOM to discuss her first foray into television via drama series Top of the Lake, starring Elisabeth Moss, Peter Mullan and Holly Hunter.

But perhaps the show that really emphasises the blurring of lines between film, television and web-based companies is House of Cards. The re-make of the classic 1990 British mini-series features film and theatre giant Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, and is directed by David Fincher.

Digital players seek content

“Companies such as Netflix, Google/YouTube or Hulu have been attending MIPCOM for several years, but mostly as buyers,” commented Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division, which organises MIPCOM. “Today, they are very much involved in developing great content.”

As for Google/YouTube, Robert Kyncl, Google/YouTube’s Vice President, Global Head of Content, grabbed MIPCOM headlines by announcing the company is to launch 60 new channels in the UK, Germany and France, with original content coming from such TV heavyweights as FremantleMedia, BBC Worldwide, Endemol and All3Media. He urged the content production community to embrace YouTube.

Jason Kilar, CEO of online TV service Hulu told MIPCOM delegates that his company has spent $500 million on content this year. He stressed that Hulu is working closely with traditional broadcasting heavyweights, bringing the BBC’s Misfits to U.S. audiences and Nickelodeon content to Hulu for the first time, thanks to a deal with Viacom.

International is the MIPCOM mantra

While individual countries, especially in Europe, may be feeling economic pressure at the moment, MIPCOM confirmed that there is an ever-increasing need for cross-border business and networking. In a MIPCOM first, over 100 of the most influential women working in the international television sector, came together for Global Entertainment Power Lunch, in partnership with A+E Networks.

“As well as this great gathering of women executives, this year, we have developed important initiatives based around regions that are showing strong growth in the international market. In addition to our Country of Honour, Canada, we have focused on Latin America, which is a high-growth region,” said Reed MIDEM’s Laurine Garaude. “Whether it is in Latin America, Russia, China, or the Middle East, we have seen new players and new activity at MIPCOM.”