21/03/2003

Only four Irish companies will be present at the Ireland on Screen stand at this year’s 40th anniversary edition of Mip TV in Cannes from 24-28 March compared to 10 in 2002 and 9 in 2001. Those attending are Ardmore Studios, Network Ireland Television, Like It Love and Tyrone Productions. Two other Irish TV companies will have separated stands: Monster Distributes and RTE International.
. Various reasons partly explain this downturn in this year’s Irish contingent, notably the general fall in delegates to MIP TV, in particular from the US because of the war in Iraq, changes in the marketplace as broadcasters have little discretionary money and are not committing to long-term TV schedules, and a decrease in marketing budgets in the broadcasting and TV production sectors.
Enterprise Ireland, who coordinate the “Ireland on Screen” stand said they would have to re-examine their future support for this initiative if the current lack of interest from the Irish broadcasting and production sectors continues.

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