MIP London is permanently shutting down after staging only two editions, according to a report by Deadline, as organizer RX France replaces the short-lived television market with a new two-day conference called MIP Talks. The newly minted event will run alongside the London Book Fair in March at ExCeL London, marking a significant strategic pivot for the organizer away from traditional buyer-seller floorspace and toward cross-sector intellectual property trends.
Why MIP London Canceled After Two Years
Launched in 2025 to fill the void left by the demise of MIPTV in Cannes, MIP London struggled to carve out a permanent home in an already congested capital. According to Deadline, the market drew roughly 2,000 attendees earlier this year, marking a drop from its inaugural run. Distributor schedules during the annual London TV Screenings are notoriously packed, with many major companies hosting independent events across the city rather than participating in a centralized market at venues like The Savoy Hotel.
While the event managed to secure high-profile speakers such as Netflix content chief Bela Bajaria and David Beckham, the sheer logistical friction of London’s busy spring screening window proved difficult to overcome. The traditional stand-and-sales model is evolving rapidly, forcing organizers to rethink how international executives network and conduct business.
MIP Talks Launches at The London Book Fair
Rather than attempting a third iteration in 2027, RX France is shifting its focus to MIP Talks, a conference-driven platform designed to connect television, publishing, fandom, and global IP development. Lucy Smith, Director of RX France’s Entertainment Division, stated that the new format aims to explore where the entertainment business is heading next.
“MIP has always been about understanding where the entertainment business is going next,” Lucy Smith said, according to Deadline. “MIP Talks at The London Book Fair takes that curiosity further, bringing together the people shaping what breaks through, how fandom is built and where new global businesses are emerging.”
The inaugural edition of MIP Talks will center on the theme “From IP to Fandom – and Fandom to Global Business.” Organizers intend to highlight how stories originate from books, podcasts, games, and creator-led communities, moving far beyond standard television formats.
Connecting Publishing and Screen Adaptation
Staging MIP Talks alongside the London Book Fair leverages an existing ecosystem that draws an estimated 30,000 visitors annually to the ExCeL venue. The publishing industry remains a primary source for adaptable intellectual property, with streamers and independent producers constantly hunting for stories equipped with built-in audiences.
“The London Book Fair is delighted to be working in partnership with the brilliant team at MIP Talks to meld together our fantastic worlds where stories are created, curated and sent out to find ever more fans, more audiences and more homes,” Emma Lowe, Director of the London Book Fair, told Deadline.
The move follows a similar industry shift announced by the Children’s Media Conference, which confirmed it is moving from Sheffield to the London Book Fair. By co-locating these events, RX aims to build a direct bridge between literary rights holders, creators, brands, and television executives.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is MIP Talks taking place?
MIP Talks will run as a two-day conference in March alongside the London Book Fair at ExCeL London.
Why was MIP London canceled?
According to Deadline, MIP London struggled to establish itself in a crowded market during the London TV Screenings, drawing around 2,000 attendees this year—a drop from its 2025 launch—while competing with distributors holding private events across the city.
Who organizes MIP Talks?
MIP Talks is organized by RX France, led by Lucy Smith, Director of the Entertainment Division.
Will MIP London return in 2027?
No, RX France has confirmed that MIP London will not return for a third edition.
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