Markets

Content Europe has launched its 2026 edition from April 21-23, positioning itself as a cost-effective three-day market, conference and screenings event connecting buyers and sellers across formats, factual, drama and kids content. Designed as a sales and acquisitions marketplace, the event brings together key industry players to explore new opportunities in a rapidly evolving global content landscape. The programme includes a three-track conference strand comprising the Future Formats Forum, the Content Acquisitions Summit and the Kids Content Summit, each focused on analysing content trends, buyer priorities and coproduction opportunities across platforms worldwide.

A strong emphasis will be placed on formats, with the Future Formats Forum opening on Tuesday, April 21, with sessions including The Future of Formats: What Happens Next?, where leading executives will examine the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the sector. This will be followed by discussions on the evolving financial and acquisition landscape, as well as a dedicated panel exploring how broadcasters and platforms are adapting their formats acquisition strategies in an increasingly competitive and fragmented market. A key highlight of the first day is the Content Europe Global Formats Pitch Competition, launched in partnership with Talpa Studios. The competition will see finalist projects compete for a development deal, aimed at turning the winning concept into a globally scalable format.

On Wednesday, April 22, the agenda will feature a keynote centred on global hit The Traitors, with Dug James sharing insights into how the format has been successfully rolled out market-by-market. The session will explore strategies for maintaining a format’s core identity while adapting it to different cultures, budgets and production environments.
Further sessions throughout the day will focus on the mechanics behind successful formats deals and development strategies. Panels such as How to Make a Formats Deal: The Anatomy of Success and How to Create a Global Hit Format will bring together leading executives and creatives to discuss how formats are developed, financed, packaged and scaled internationally, as well as the creative balance between innovation and commercial viability.

The winner of the Global Formats Pitch Competition will also be announced during Wednesday’s programme by Talpa Studios’ Chief Creative Officer, Jasper Hoogendoorn. The event will conclude on Thursday, April 23, with sessions focused on commissioning strategies and buyer insights. How to Get Your Format Commissioned by Channel 4, Keshet 12 and RTP will provide a practical look at how leading broadcasters evaluate and acquire formats, examining key factors such as creative differentiation, pricing structures and evolving commercial models.