Markets

MIPJUNIOR has unveiled the programme for its 2026 edition, broadening its editorial scope to explore the evolving business of kids, tweens and family entertainment through a stronger focus on audience trends, digital-first brands and emerging business models. Taking place in Cannes on October 10-11, ahead of MIPCOM CANNES, the event will bring together creators, analysts, executives and entrepreneurs to examine how companies are adapting to shifting audience behaviors, new distribution platforms and changing monetization strategies across the youth entertainment landscape.

This year's conference expands beyond its traditional emphasis on preschool programming to cover the full spectrum of youth entertainment, from preschool and kids to tweens and teens, while introducing a more business-oriented programme built around practical case studies and market intelligence.
Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES and MIPJUNIOR, said: "The next generation of audiences are redefining how content is discovered, consumed and valued. Kids and family entertainment has become one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors of the media business, where new platforms, digital-first brands and evolving business models are constantly reshaping how successful IP is created, distributed and monetised. As the industry evolves, MIPJUNIOR is evolving with it. This year's programme broadens our editorial focus to better reflect where innovation is happening, across entertainment for young audiences, and places an even greater emphasis on practical business insights. Our ambition is to help the industry not only understand what's changing but learn from the companies already driving that transformation. Increasingly, the trends emerging in children's entertainment are influencing the wider entertainment industry, making MIPJUNIOR an essential forum for understanding where the future of content is headed.”

Among the headline sessions, Gregory Dray, Co-Founder of Animaj and Chairman of LUMEE, will present Embracing a New World: Reinventing Legacy IP for the Digital Generations, exploring how next-generation studios are reinventing established IP for digital-native audiences while building global entertainment franchises. Dray said: "Understanding young audiences today is essential to building the global entertainment brands of tomorrow. As our industry reinvents how IP is created, produced, distributed and eventually monetised, MIPJUNIOR is the pre-eminent forum for bringing together the global kids and family entertainment community to share ideas and explore the trends and business models that are not only reshaping our sector, but increasingly shaping the future of the wider media and entertainment industry."

The programme will also feature media strategist Evan Shapiro, who will present new research on children's viewing habits and the commercial models emerging in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Additional market insights will come from Ampere Analysis Senior Research Manager Cyrine Amor, who will examine global commissioning and production trends, broadcaster and streamer strategies, AVoD, social media and the performance of leading kids' YouTube channels.
Glance Senior Research Analyst Romy Nicolas will present research on how viewing behaviors evolve from preschool through the teen years, analyzing the implications for content strategy, commissioning and distribution across multiple platforms.