Markets

Content Europe officially kicks off today in Lisbon, bringing together key players from across the international television ecosystem for three days (Marriot Hotel, 21-23 April, 2026) of market activity, strategic discussions and high-level networking. Designed as a meeting point between buyers and sellers, the event confirms its positioning as a focused marketplace where formats, factual and kids content intersect with broader industry dynamics.

The event’s architecture reflects the complexity of the current landscape. Built around three core strands—the Format Futures Forum, the Content Acquisitions Summit and the Kids Content Summit—Content Europe offers a multi-layered perspective on how different segments of the industry are responding to similar pressures: tighter budgets, shifting audience behaviours and the growing need for scalable IP.
If the opening night cocktail, organised in association with FRAPA, provided an initial opportunity to reconnect and set the tone, the real substance begins today, with a programme that mirrors the industry’s most urgent questions.

The programme for today, Tuesday 21, offers a dense and strategically oriented schedule, combining market intelligence, editorial insights and practical guidance.
The day begins at 09:15 with opening remarks from Portugal’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, highlighting the growing importance of national ecosystems within the global content economy.

At 09:30, the Global Content Trends Report brings together leading analysts to map the forces shaping the international market in 2026. Particular attention is given to the formats sector, with insights into demand patterns, investment flows and the evolving role of adaptable IP.

The focus then shifts to formats as a core driver of industry evolution. At 10:30, “The Future of Formats: What Happens Next?” explores how executives are responding to structural changes, from shifting audience behaviour to platform-driven commissioning strategies.

This is followed at 11:45 by “Formats Fundamentals: The New Shape of Finance and Acquisitions”, a session addressing one of the most critical areas for the business: how projects are financed, packaged and sold in a market increasingly reliant on co-productions, pre-sales and multi-territory partnerships.

In the afternoon, the agenda becomes more operational and forward-looking. At 14:00, the masterclass “Pitching in the AI Era – How to Cut Through” examines how artificial intelligence is transforming development and presentation processes, while reinforcing the importance of strong storytelling, structure and human connection.

Immediately after, at 14:30, “Content Strategies: How to Get Your Show on: RTP, TG4 and Sanoma Media Finland” offers direct insight into commissioning priorities, with executives outlining what they are currently looking for and how they evaluate projects with long-term potential.

At 15:30, a second strategy session—“Content Strategies: How to Get Your Show on: ZDF, TF1 and TV4”—continues the conversation, focusing on how major broadcasters balance established brands with new ideas capable of becoming the next global hit.

The spotlight then turns to emerging talent at 16:15 with the Content Europe Global Formats Pitch Competition, launched in partnership with Talpa Studios. The initiative aims to identify original concepts with international potential, offering a pathway for further development in the global market.

The day concludes at 18:00 with the “Globo Showcase: Premium Content. Global Impact.”, highlighting high-end productions designed to travel across borders and resonate with worldwide audiences.