Industry

At MIPCOM Cannes 2026, media analyst Evan Shapiro, known as the Media Cartographer, presented his new interactive Media Universe Map, offering a perspective on the shifting balance of power across the global entertainment industry.

The former NBC, Participant and IFC executive highlighted the growing influence of technology companies compared with traditional broadcasters and Hollywood studios, using corporate valuations to illustrate how the media landscape has evolved over the past decade.
One of the most striking points was Shapiro's $29 billion valuation of the newly merged Skydance, reflecting his assessment of the company's debt burden, declining legacy television business and financial exposure linked to the Ellison family. His analysis raises questions about whether consolidation alone can make traditional media companies more competitive.

Shapiro also highlighted changing consumption habits across screens and generations, alongside the emerging potential of premium vertical television. He sees opportunities for producers and distributors to develop original mobile-first programming and adapt existing intellectual property for new audiences.

During MIPCOM, Shapiro introduced the interactive version of his Media Universe Map, allowing users to explore companies, compare sectors and track changes dating back to 2015.

The key message for the international television business is clear: future growth will depend not simply on scale, but on understanding consumer behaviour, adapting content strategies and finding new ways to monetise IP.