MUMBAI:  For the first time, MIPCOM, the global entertainment content market, launches a conference event to support and discuss a key sector of the international television business- the distribution of TV Channels around the world.

The aim of the programme is to create a central point of interaction for channels and platforms to meet, and to provide an educational forum specifically dedicated to showcasing new channels and carriage platforms (cable, satellite, IPTV, OTT).

Organised by Reed MIDEM, the 30th anniversary edition of MIPCOM will take place in Cannes, France, from 13-16 October 2014.

This one day programme will take place on Monday October 13th in a dedicated area and will include a series of business-oriented conferences and workshops.Mediamétrie/Eurodata will present data and comments on the growing channel distribution market and leading international platforms will unveil their strategies for the year to come. The ‘Driving the Quest for The Audience: Channel Distribution Strategies for Success’ conference session will showcase new channels with international appeal.

“With the increasing presence of multi-service operators and channels from around the world, carriage deals are a growing part of the market. Our ambition is to become the international business destination for the carriage ecosystem," comments Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s TV Division.

“It is vitally important that channels and platforms understand each other’s businesses,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB). “Neither sector can operate independently of each other. This new initiative at MIPCOM is, we believe, essential as the distribution market becomes more complicated as new platforms launch. AIB is delighted to be part of this important concept that is designed to bring businesses together and start conversations that will turn into business deals.”

The first Global Channel Distribution day at MIPCOM will bring together the French Telco & Pay TV operator Orange, German Telco and IPTV operator Deutsche Telekom, Globecast, Al Jazeera’s global network, A+E networks, Scripps Networks International, EbonyLife TV and OTT service operator Magine.