Over the past few years, the Monte Carlo Television Market, scheduled between the increasingly international NATPE, held one month earlier, and the ever-powerful MIP-TV, held about one month later, has been understandably squeezed. The next few years will be crucial in determining Monte Carlo’s future.

At this year’s event, there appeared to be a modest recovery over last year’s show, with many attendees seemingly happy to use the market as a meeting place and an opportunity to build contacts. North Americans, in particular, seemed eager to continue to use Monte Carlo to nurture their European connections.

About 380 European buyers came to meet with 133 exhibiting companies, staying for two days on average, according to the market’s general secretary, David Tomatis.

Some market attendees reported particular interest in children’s programming this year. This may have been due to the fact that there are more and more children’s channels, more and more youth slots on networks and, for Europeans, there is less competition from American productions because of the trend towards international themes, according to Thorunn Anspach of Marathon International.

Some new products were introduced at Monte Carlo, and while a few major sales were announced, most of the loose ends likely will be tied up at MIP-TV.

Says Tomatis, ‘Monte Carlo provides the opportunity to meet buyers from smaller countries like Bosnia, the Czech Republic and Scandinavian countries, as well as [buyers from countries in] Africa or the Middle East. We need to attract more people from countries like Spain, Germany and Italy. The market’s rebirth will lie in a focus on a broadened Europe and the participation of more decision-making buyers.’