CANNES: For all those doomsayers who said MipTV was out, the verdict is that it is back and with a vengeance. According to Reed Midem television director Paul Johnson, attendance on all fronts was up this year, two days before the closure of the market.

The number of participants leapt up to 10,953 from 9,103 last year, while the number of exhibiting companies grew to 1,411 as against 1242 last year. The number of companies registered was up to 3866 (2631) while the number of programme buyers was up to 2869 (2325).

"It’s always difficult to get an accurate picture of the deal-making activity at such a big market, but for what it’s worth, the majority of people I’ve been in contact with here in Cannes, have been reporting that they have been extremely busy and I don’t need to tell you that the MILIA tent has been buzzing," he pointed out.

Statistics MIPTV/ MILIA as of 31/03/2004 (Day Three)

Final Statistics OF MIPDOC 2004 (28/03/2004)

The other high point of this event, he pointed out this year, was the presence of the largest official Chinese television delegation ever to leave the country. "Some 250 Chinese executives have been in town. I’d like to thank the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television for helping us with MIP China Day…and we were particularly thrilled that SARFT Minister Hu Zhanfan was here at MIPTV," he added.

He said that MipCom which will run from 4 to 8 October will have France Day as its highlight. It will be preceded by Mipcom Junior on 2-3 October.