Ten major Japanese broadcasters are joining forces for the first time at MipCancun, focusing on live-action television dramas for Latin America.
In a significant move for the Japanese broadcasting industry, ten major broadcasters are collaborating for the first time to send a joint delegation to MipCancun, as reported by Variety. This initiative marks Japan's inaugural coordinated television market presence outside of Asia, aimed at promoting Japanese content, particularly live-action dramas, to Latin American audiences.
The initiative, named the “All-Japan” pavilion, is organized by the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA) with assistance from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan (BEAJ). The JBA represents commercial broadcasters nationwide and is taking this active step to expand business opportunities in the international content market.
MipCancun, which is now in its 13th edition, serves as a premier content market and conference for television stakeholders in Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market. This initiative potentially opens new avenues for collaboration and distribution, aligning with significant goals set by the Japanese government to grow the overseas market for Japanese-origin content. With a focus on live-action television drama, this delegation is strategically centered on a genre that has garnered increasing interest in recent years, especially in regions accustomed to serialized storytelling like Latin America.
Notable broadcasters participating in this initiative include TBS Television, Nippon TV, TV Asahi, Fuji Television Network, Inc., and TV Tokyo, along with Wowow Inc., BS Asahi, Tokai TV, MBS, Inc., and Yomiuri Telecasting Corp. Each broadcaster will have its own dedicated table at the Japan Pavilion, facilitating discussions and potential deal-making with Latin American buyers and distributors.
Traditionally known for its dominance in the anime sector, this joint effort seeks to highlight Japanese live-action dramas, a category that the Japanese government has earmarked for growth in overseas markets. As Maria Perez Belliére, director of MipCancun, stated, the initiative aims to strengthen the presence of Japanese content in Latin America, a region with a deep-rooted tradition in television drama, particularly telenovelas.
To further promote this initiative, a “Japan Content Showcase” screening event will occur on November 18, spotlighting programming from the participating broadcasters, specifically for industry professionals in the Latin American market. Networking opportunities will allow visiting companies and local buyers to deepen interactions regarding business collaboration.
The aim is to capitalize on favorable market dynamics in Latin America, as streaming services continue to proliferate, offering new pathways for international scripted content to reach wider audiences. The Japanese government is keen on transforming the content industry into a core growth sector, setting ambitious economic targets for the future.
Japan's joint delegation at MipCancun signals a proactive approach to establishing a stronger foothold in the Latin American television market. By combining resources and promoting their live-action dramas, Japanese broadcasters aim to attract interest from regional buyers and enhance cross-cultural exchanges. This initiative not only demonstrates Japan's intent to diversify its broadcasting reach but also highlights the increasing importance of collaboration in the entertainment industry.
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