Cannes – According to stats from organizers Reed MIDEM, MIPTV, the exhibition, was less impacted by the financial crisis than might have been expected at the show which took place 30 March – 3 April 2009 at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. Overall turn-out of around 12,000 this year was down from over 13,000 in 2008, with the exhibition occupying almost 22,000 square metres. But a number of major exhibitors told Television Asia Plus that they are locked into multi-year deals for booth space “That we probably didn’t need this market,” said one. “There’s also a lot of peer pressure to have a significant brand presence or fingers would be pointed, eyebrows and questions raised about our financial health.” Attendance was impacted however, with 3,900 buyers in attendance in 2009 compared to an expected 4,400. A number of content vendors felt the absence of their key Asian buyers, from Korea in particular. “Some buyers didn’t come at all, or many companies sent just one person,” said one sales manager for Asia. Another dampener on proceedings was the unseasonal wet weather and cooler temperatures. At a market where so many meetings are conducted al fresco at the bars, cafes and beach-front venues along La Croisette, many attendees spent more time huddled inside the Palais this year.