---
title: "MIPCOM Television Trade Fair Returns Amid Industry Shifts"
url: https://noti.group/mipcom-television-trade-fair-returns-amid-industry-shifts/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Entertainment"
published: 2026-10-12T08:00:00.000Z
updated: 2026-10-12T10:44:33.537Z
id: e4998e58-dfe3-4ba6-afdf-9a69108f9d9f
source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/whats-selling-mipcom-spy-thrillers-royal-romances-1236723470/"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/mipcom-television-trade-fair-returns-amid-industry-shifts/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# MIPCOM Television Trade Fair Returns Amid Industry Shifts

The television industry is facing unprecedented challenges as it navigates the complexities of the 2026 market, with a focus on phone-first vertical dramas and AI-generated content at MIPCOM in France.

The television industry is facing unprecedented challenges as it navigates the complexities of the 2026 market. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant disruptor, but the sector is also grappling with the rapid shift towards phone-first vertical dramas and AI-generated content.

MIPCOM, the world's largest television trade fair, will be held from October 12 to 15 in the South of France. This year's event promises to be particularly significant as it brings together global buyers, producers, and distributors to discuss new business models and partnerships.

Fox Entertainment Global president Prentiss Fraser believes that something is fundamentally different about this market. He notes that his company will use MIPCOM as an opportunity to reconnect with international partners while maintaining its traditional TV business.

The convention will showcase a wide range of content, including franchise reboots, period dramas, spy thrillers, and even a Zulu epic. In addition to scripted formats, there will also be a selection of unscripted formats vying for attention, potentially the next big hit like Traitors.

A new British drama series is generating interest among international buyers at MIPCOM. The show, created by Danny Brocklehurst, explores themes of class, grief, and social media through the story of a passionate but potentially destructive affair between two couples.

The drama stars Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai as the central couple, whose relationship puts their families' dynamics to the test. ITV and STV are among the public broadcasters and select streamers that have expressed interest in the show.

Another format gaining attention is a Scandinavian dating show where singles dress up as fantasy characters, such as knights or witches. Viewers watch as these characters interact with each other, go on romantic quests, and hold secret encounters, all while maintaining their fictional personas.

When the costumes come off, the participants' real-life relationships are revealed, making for an intriguing contrast between fantasy and reality. This unique approach could appeal to buyers looking for something new and engaging.

In addition to these scripted formats, several spy thrillers are vying for attention at MIPCOM, including a show created by Stephen Fry about a team of outsiders tasked with cracking the minds of the world's most dangerous criminals.

A revamped adaptation of the 1979 cult comedy is making waves at MIPCOM, with a star-studded cast and a familiar format that could appeal to global audiences. The eight-part series stars Robbie G.K., known for his role in Heated Rivalry, alongside Maddie Phillips from The Boys. This reimagining draws on the original's "sweet and sexy tone, which helped launch the careers of Bill Murray and director Ivan Reitman.

A new reality series is also generating buzz, as it delves into the world of British cuisine during the Cool Britannia era. Celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, and Heston Blumenthal are set to explore how rockstar culinarians transformed the image of British food at home and abroad. The three-part series promises a behind-the-scenes look at the rise of culinary stars.

Meanwhile, classic TV shows are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with many retro favorites getting revamped for modern audiences. One such show is an update of the 1970s dramedy series, which has been a rerun staple for years. David Boreanaz will reprise James Garner's iconic role as Jim Rockford, an ex-con turned private investigator.

The original series remains a beloved and iconic part of many viewers' nostalgia, with online platforms introducing it to a new generation. This latest adaptation is likely to appeal to fans of the original, as well as those who enjoy period dramas and crime stories. With its familiar format and star-studded cast, this show has all the makings of a global hit.

The success of retro TV shows like this one suggests that audiences are craving a return to classic storytelling and familiar characters. By revisiting beloved franchises, networks can tap into a sense of nostalgia and attract new viewers who may not have been around when the original series first aired.

The growth of African television has been remarkable over the past few decades, but it still lacks a global breakout hit. To capitalize on this trend, StudioCanal is banking on a historical drama that has already proven to be a success in South Africa.

This series, which explores the rise of Shaka from outcast to Zulu king in the late 18th and early 19th century, has been the most expensive production ever made in South Africa. It has also been the highest-rated original show on MultiChoice's African pay network, indicating a strong local following.

DStv, part of the MultiChoice Group, commissioned this series as one of its own productions. The show's success is expected to continue with the release of its final six-episode arc this year, which will bring the story full circle over three seasons.

The BBC has also identified a potential global hit in its new reality format, The Yacht, which it believes will appeal to audiences worldwide as part of a new generation of reality formats".

---
Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/whats-selling-mipcom-spy-thrillers-royal-romances-1236723470/)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/mipcom-television-trade-fair-returns-amid-industry-shifts/
