MIP London doubles down on creator economy for 2026 edition

PARIS: MIP London has unveiled an expanded creator economy programme for its second edition, sharpening its focus on digital creators, platforms and community-led IP as television and streaming recalibrate for attention-led growth.

The international content market will run from 22 to 24 February 2026 across The IET London and The Savoy, with creator-focused sessions spread across Monday and Tuesday. The expanded strand blends analysis, commissioning insight and monetisation strategy, alongside a stronger push on structured networking, including matchmaking and expert-led roundtables.

A headline moment will see media analyst Evan Shapiro deliver a mainstage keynote titled The year of change or die on 24 February, drawing on proprietary data to map where the global television business is heading. Shapiro will also record a live episode of The media odyssey, his industry podcast co-hosted with Marion Ranchet, examining shifts across television, streaming and digital platforms.

Creator-led growth will be further explored in a mainstage panel featuring Snap Inc, Spotify and pan-European digital studio We Are Era, examining how talent and community-led IP scale across platforms. A separate session will focus on how premium digital content is commissioned and expanded by established media groups and creator-first studios, including participation from MTV Entertainment Group International.

Networking is being elevated through a market-first Attention Economy Leadership Lunch & Mixer, staged in partnership with Tubefilter, with strategy insights from Allied Global Marketing chief strategy officer Adam Cunningham. An invitation-only, expert-led roundtable on sustainable creator-led growth will bring together executives from BBC Talentworks, Patreon, After Party Studios and We Are Era, among others.

The expanded creator economy focus forms part of a broader MIP London programme spanning documentary and factual, micro dramas, podcasting, streaming and AI, under the theme “Joining the dots: finding the value.”

The announcement comes as MIP London crosses 1,000 registered delegates a month ahead of the market, including more than 550 international buyers from major broadcasters, streamers and platforms spanning television, streaming, telecoms, manufacturing and publishing.