EXCLUSIVE: As we head into London’s big international TV week, Lucy Smith is full of praise for the UK’s capital city as she assesses MIP London’s future in the city.
The director of MIP London said next week’s London TV Screenings and MIP London events combine to create one of “three big moments” for the TV distribution biz annually, alongside the LA Screenings in May and MIPCOM Cannes in October.
She added MIP London was “very complementary” to the sales-focused London TV Screenings event, as she set out the rationale for her confab.
“I always feel very good when we’re going into an event because I know we put everything into making sure it has the best value possible,” she told Deadline. “Our aim for MIP London has always been to bring more people and create more business opportunities in what is now, for sure, the biggest week for content in London.
“There is definitely a desire from international industry execs to be part of this. When you talk to people in the industry about big moments in the calendar, it is now February in London, the L.A. Screenings in May and MIPCOM in October. They want in on it, and we give them a way to join.”
Around 1,600 execs are signed up for MIP London, hailing from 74 countries.
Smith and her team at MIP organizer RX France have a decision to make following this second edition of MIPLondon. RX France’s two-year contract with the Savoy Hotel and the adjoining IET London conference center ends after the event, and there is industry speculation whether it will remain in London, move to a new local venue or end entirely. We quizzed Smith on the future of MIP in the UK.
“We will always look at the event and see how it goes and what happens, and what the feedback is from clients when we come out of it,” said Smith. “Right now, the focus is going to be on delivering the best possible event for MIP London and it probably take us a few weeks to finalize and decide any decisions for the following year.”
Smith added that some of the decision-making on timings would be somewhat dictated by other events. “We had an initial two-year agreement, but we’re also aware we’re alongside the London TV Screenings, so the ball is not necessarily in our court anyways.”
MIP London begins on Sunday and runs for three days, partially running in parallel to the more established London TV Screenings, which has ballooned to over 40 individual company events this year.
“We’re bringing in all those areas that are not covered by the London TV Screenings,” said Smith, pointing to sessions on podcasting, microdramas, creator content, branded content and even a kids’ content summit, which is new for 2026.
Some market watchers have questioned the value of MIP London, which launched last year after the annual April confab MIPTV was ended, during a week where buyers are rushing from screening to screening. Smith’s answer is that by providing access to players in other emerging areas of entertainment such as branded content commissioners or podcasters, the tide rises for all.
“We’re trying to be complementary,” she added. “We moved the dates forward a day to be more concentrated in the early part of the week so we’re not head-on with the Screenings. It’s not a competitor event.”
Headliners include environmentalist and broadcaster Chris Packham and doctor Sofia Pineda Ochoa presenting their film Greenwashed, Sidemen Entertainment boss Victor Bengtsson and Sidemen Productions chief Adam Cohen, and a chat between YouTube’s Pedro Pina and Tony Pastor from Goalhanger on podcasting.
“[2025 keynote speaker] David Beckham gave us the opportunity to create a really big buzz,” said Smith. “This year we have big moments in each key area.”
State of the market
International TV conferences and markets are broadly guided by the state of the market. The distribution business faces challenges despite fewer new originals launching, which could mean a greater reliance on acquisitions. Smith acknowledge the distribution space feels “challenged” and suggested MIP London could play the role of connecting disparate parts of the industry.
“What everybody is looking for are opportunities to meet with different parts of the industry, and look at new ways of working meet new potential partners,” she said. “That’s what we bring to the market – the opportunity to look at these newer areas where people are investing money and where there are new funding partners. Whatever is going on in the market place, there is always a need to get together and meet.
“Content is out there, and people are bringing it to market. The London TV Screenings schedule is jam packed. We’re talking to buyers and putting together matchmaking for clients, and their schedules are fully booked as always. There is still a lot of business going, and there are moments in the year where it comes to the forefront and that is what is happening at the moment.”