Mipcom Day 1: Global TV Deals, New Formats and Major Commissions

Key Points

• ZDF Studios expands international distribution: The German distributor has sold more than 500 hours of scripted programming in 2026, concluding over 40 agreements across more than 20 countries.
• German dramas reach new markets: Titles including SOKO, Mountain Medic, Alpine Rescue, Rosamunde Pilcher, Inga Lindström and Love Sucks have secured international broadcast and streaming deals.
• TF1 commissions French Taskmaster: The French broadcaster has ordered a six-part local adaptation of the British comedy entertainment format, hosted by Camille Combal, for a planned 2027 launch.
• Taskmaster continues international expansion: The format has reached its 16th international adaptation, with new launches and recommissions reported across Europe.
• Blue Ant Media acquires two factual programmes: The Land That Made Us and Ruins Rise And Fall, presented at BossaNova Media’s Development Day, are heading to Canada.
• Prime Video acquires a Princess Diana documentary: Diana: Her Secret Confessions, a three-part series based on previously unheard audio recordings, has been acquired for the UK and Ireland.
• ITV Studios develops a River Monsters spin-off: Fish On! With Jeremy Wade is a 20-episode visualised podcast scheduled to launch on Patreon on 20 October, followed by wider digital distribution.
• ARTE joins Channel 4 drama Number 10: The French-German broadcaster has become a co-producer of Steven Moffat’s political workplace drama, which has also secured international acquisitions ahead of its planned 2027 release.

Germany Latest News (GLN) October 13, 2026 – Mipcom’s opening-day developments have highlighted a broad range of international television distribution deals, format adaptations and production partnerships. German distributor ZDF Studios reported more than 500 hours of scripted sales across over 20 countries, while France’s TF1 commissioned a local version of Taskmaster. Blue Ant Media and Prime Video secured factual programming, ITV Studios expanded the River Monsters brand into digital audio-visual content, and ARTE joined the upcoming Channel 4 drama Number 10. Together, the announcements demonstrate continued international trading in scripted television, entertainment formats and factual content ahead of several planned releases in 2027.

The report follows the inverted pyramid structure, placing the most significant developments first before examining individual agreements, programme details and their potential implications for the international television industry.

What were the most significant television deals announced on Mipcom’s opening day?

According to Broadcast International, which published the opening-day round-up on 12 October 2026, the announcements covered distribution, commissioning, co-production and digital expansion across several international markets. The publication’s report did not identify an individual journalist by name, so no author attribution can be verified from the available article.

ZDF Studios’ reported sales performance was one of the day’s principal developments. The German distributor confirmed that it had concluded more than 40 agreements covering over 500 hours of German scripted programming across more than 20 countries during 2026.

The agreements involve established drama franchises, romantic productions and a vampire series, illustrating the range of German content being licensed to international broadcasters and streaming services.

Meanwhile, TF1’s decision to commission a French adaptation of Taskmaster provides another example of a successful television format moving into a new national market. The announcement was accompanied by developments involving factual entertainment, documentary distribution and international drama financing.

The deals are relevant to producers, distributors, broadcasters and streaming platforms because they show how existing programmes and intellectual property can be extended into additional territories and distribution channels.

How has ZDF Studios expanded its international scripted programming sales?

ZDF Studios has secured international agreements for several German television properties, with buyers spanning northern, central and eastern Europe, as well as the United Kingdom and other markets.

As reported by Broadcast International, the distributor’s sales include the SOKO franchise, which has been acquired by YLE in Finland, Walter Presents in the UK, Canal+ MOE, RTL Croatia and Talpa in the Netherlands.

The range of buyers demonstrates the programme’s distribution across different broadcasting environments. However, the report does not provide individual contract values, audience figures for each territory or details of the precise number of episodes covered by these particular agreements.

Which German dramas have secured new international buyers?

Two feel-good drama titles, Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue, have also attracted international agreements.

The reported buyers include TV2 Denmark, Prima TV in the Czech Republic, TVS in Poland and Pop TV Slovenia. These deals extend the programmes’ reach across several European markets.

Romantic television productions Rosamunde Pilcher and Inga Lindström have also been acquired by Mediaset in Italy, Nova TV in Bulgaria, Kanal 2 in Estonia and TV3 Baltics.

These agreements add to ZDF Studios’ reported international sales activity during 2026. The report does not disclose whether the buyers acquired exclusive rights or provide detailed information about the duration of each licence.

Where will viewers be able to watch Love Sucks?

ZDF Studios has also sold the vampire series Love Sucks to a combination of streaming services, digital platforms and broadcasters.

The reported buyers include Amazon, Apple, Telekom, RTL Interactive and Disney Germany. Additional agreements involve Sky Switzerland, TV Prima in the Czech Republic, RTBF in Belgium and France Télévisions.

The combination of buyers indicates that the series is being distributed through different types of services rather than a single broadcasting channel.

For distributors, these arrangements can provide opportunities to reach audiences with different viewing habits. For buyers, licensing established productions can expand their programming libraries without requiring them to commission every title from the beginning.

Nevertheless, the available report does not specify the precise services on which the series will be available in every territory or the start dates for individual licences.

Why has TF1 commissioned a French version of Taskmaster?

French broadcaster TF1 has commissioned a local adaptation of Taskmaster, becoming the 16th international adaptation of the comedy entertainment format, according to Broadcast International.

The French version is being produced by 1367 Productions and will be hosted by Camille Combal. Combal is already known to French television audiences through his presenting roles on the country’s versions of Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer.

The commission comprises six episodes, each lasting 60 minutes. Production is under way, with a planned launch in 2027.

The French adaptation brings a British-created format into another major European television market. Rather than simply importing the original UK programme, the local version is intended to present the format through French production and presenting talent.

The announcement also strengthens the international profile of the format’s creators and rights holders.

Who created Taskmaster, and how successful is the British version?

Taskmaster was created by British comedian Alex Horne, who also hosts the UK version for Channel 4. The British programme is produced by Avalon.

According to the Broadcast International report, the UK version is currently in its 22nd series and has been commissioned through to series 27.

The programme has also accumulated more than 1.7 billion views on YouTube, a figure cited in the original trade report. This digital reach gives the format visibility beyond its traditional television audience.

The combination of continuing domestic production and international adaptations provides a basis for the format’s expansion. Local versions can retain the central concept while introducing presenters, contestants and production approaches suited to individual markets.

What other European markets are expanding Taskmaster?

The format’s international development extends beyond France.

The Netherlands’ RTL4 launched a new version in 2026, which the trade report said was consolidating with more than one million viewers. In Poland, the TVN adaptation recorded the channel’s highest primetime launch in five years, according to the same report.

Local versions in Estonia and Iceland have also been recommissioned following their debuts earlier in 2026.

These developments suggest that broadcasters in several European territories are continuing to invest in the format. However, the reported results relate to different markets and measures, so they should not be treated as directly comparable audience statistics.

Which factual programmes has Blue Ant Media acquired for Canada?

Blue Ant Media has acquired two factual programmes from BossaNova Media’s recent Development Day: The Land That Made Us and Ruins Rise And Fall.

Both programmes are heading to Canada, according to Broadcast International.

The acquisitions cover different approaches to factual storytelling. One explores the relationship between Britain’s physical landscape and its communities, while the other uses computer-generated imagery to reconstruct ancient ruins.

What is The Land That Made Us about?

The Land That Made Us is a six-part series, with each episode running for 60 minutes. It comes from Tectonic Productions, the label associated with Alice Roberts, Dom Bowles and Theo Williams.

The programme follows Roberts as she travels across Britain to investigate how geology and landscape have influenced communities and regional identities.

The series is being introduced to international buyers at Mipcom during the week of the announcement.

Its subject matter connects natural history with human geography. By examining the relationship between physical environments and the development of communities, the programme offers a factual format that combines landscape, science and regional history.

Blue Ant Media’s acquisition gives the series a route into the Canadian market, although the report does not specify a broadcast date, platform or planned release schedule.

How does Ruins Rise And Fall present ancient history?

Ruins Rise And Fall is produced by Like A Shot and uses immersive three-dimensional computer-generated imagery to reanimate ruins from across the ancient world.

The production approach provides a visual method for presenting historical sites and their development over time.

CGI reconstructions can help factual programmes communicate the appearance of buildings and structures that no longer survive in their original form. The report, however, does not provide further details about the individual ruins featured or the historical periods covered.

The Canadian acquisition places the programme alongside The Land That Made Us as part of Blue Ant Media’s latest factual programming purchases from BossaNova Media.

Why has Prime Video acquired a new documentary about Princess Diana?

Prime Video has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Diana: Her Secret Confessions, a three-part documentary series from Love Monday TV.

The acquisition was announced as international distribution partner Cineflix Rights introduced the series to buyers at Mipcom under the title Diana Unheard, according to Broadcast International.

The documentary draws on hours of previously unheard intimate audio recordings associated with the late Princess Diana. The recordings are intended to provide material for a fresh examination of her story.

The distinction between the two titles is important for buyers and viewers: Diana: Her Secret Confessions is the title reported for Prime Video’s UK and Ireland acquisition, while Diana Unheard is the title used for its international sales launch.

The series adds another documentary project centred on a major figure in recent British royal history to the international factual market.

However, the report does not specify the documentary’s release date, the complete list of countries covered by Cineflix Rights’ sales campaign or the precise nature and duration of the recordings.

The acquisition also does not establish that the programme will be available outside the UK and Ireland on Prime Video. Any wider distribution would depend on additional territorial agreements.

How is ITV Studios extending the River Monsters franchise?

ITV Studios is developing Fish On! With Jeremy Wade, a 20-episode visualised podcast intended to build on the established River Monsters brand.

The project comes from ITV Studios labels Zoo 55 and Oxford Scientific Films. It is hosted by Jeremy Wade and his close friend Scott Tankard.

According to Broadcast International, the programme is scheduled to launch on Patreon on 20 October 2026. It will become available on YouTube, Spotify and other platforms a week later.

The series is described as a Zoo 55 Original, produced by Oxford Scientific Films and distributed digitally by Zoo 55.

Its release strategy places the programme across membership-based and wider digital distribution services, providing several potential routes for audience engagement.

Why does River Monsters remain relevant to ITV Studios?

The original River Monsters series was produced by the now-defunct independent production company Icon Films and ran for nine series on ITV before ending in 2017.

Despite the conclusion of its original television run, the franchise continues to attract attention through its social media presence.

The Broadcast International report states that its social video content averaged 4.7 million views per day over the previous year. Its dedicated YouTube channel also had 2.8 million subscribers.

These figures provide a basis for ITV Studios’ continued investment in content associated with the franchise.

The new visualised podcast extends the brand into a different format, rather than representing a straightforward return of the original television series. It also gives the production team opportunities to distribute material through platforms with different audience and monetisation models.

The report does not disclose the podcast’s budget, projected revenue or the commercial arrangements governing its availability on Patreon and other services.

What does ARTE’s involvement mean for the drama Number 10?

ARTE has joined Number 10, an upcoming drama from Steven Moffat, as a co-producer.

The series is being made by Hartswood Films, an ITV Studios label, for Channel 4. It is described as a workplace drama following the people who work in the British prime minister’s home and office.

ARTE will broadcast the programme in France and Germany.

The project has already secured acquisitions from HBO Max in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, YLE in Finland, DR in Denmark and NRK in Norway. Its release is planned for 2027, according to Broadcast International.

The announcement brings together a UK broadcaster, a production company operating within ITV Studios and a French-German public-service broadcaster. It also adds several international buyers to the programme ahead of its planned release.

Why are international partnerships important for Number 10?

Co-production arrangements can help television projects bring together production expertise and financing from different organisations. International acquisitions can also establish distribution routes before a programme reaches viewers.

In the case of Number 10, ARTE’s participation includes a stated broadcasting commitment across France and Germany. Other agreements cover Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark and Norway.

These territories give the drama a planned international footprint extending beyond its UK commissioning broadcaster.

Nevertheless, the available announcement does not provide the financial value of ARTE’s co-production agreement, the full production budget, the episode count or the precise release schedule.

The series’ political workplace setting may also give it relevance for audiences interested in the operations of government, although the programme should be understood as a drama rather than a factual account of the prime minister’s office.

What do the Mipcom announcements reveal about international television distribution?

The opening-day announcements point to several distinct approaches to international television trading.

First, established scripted programmes continue to find buyers in multiple territories. ZDF Studios’ reported sales show how an existing catalogue can be licensed across broadcasters, streaming services and regional platforms.

Second, recognisable entertainment formats can be adapted for local audiences. The French Taskmaster commission, alongside developments in the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia and Iceland, demonstrates the continuing international circulation of a British-created format.

Third, factual programming remains part of the market for cross-border acquisitions. Blue Ant Media’s purchases cover both science-led landscape storytelling and CGI-assisted historical reconstruction, while Prime Video’s acquisition of the Princess Diana documentary illustrates demand for biographical material.

Fourth, established intellectual property can be extended through different forms of digital distribution. Fish On! With Jeremy Wade uses a visualised podcast format to build on an existing television brand, with a release strategy spanning Patreon, YouTube, Spotify and other platforms.

Finally, Number 10 illustrates the role of co-production and pre-release acquisitions in extending the planned reach of a drama.

The announcements do not provide enough financial information to compare the profitability of these projects or establish a total value for Mipcom’s opening-day business. They do, however, offer a snapshot of the range of content being traded and developed for international audiences.

What is the background to Mipcom and its international content market?

Mipcom is an international market for television and audiovisual content where production companies, distributors, broadcasters and streaming services meet to present programmes, negotiate rights and develop partnerships.

The opening-day report published by Broadcast International on 12 October 2026 covers several parts of that market, including completed licensing agreements, a new entertainment-format commission, factual acquisitions, a digital spin-off and a co-production arrangement.

The individual announcements reflect different stages of the content business. Some programmes have already secured buyers, while others are being presented to international purchasers or remain in production ahead of future releases.

The reported ZDF Studios agreements concern sales concluded during 2026. The French Taskmaster adaptation is in production for a planned 2027 launch, while Number 10 is also scheduled for release in 2027. The Fish On! With Jeremy Wade launch, by contrast, is scheduled for October 2026.

These different timelines show why announcements made at the same industry event should not be treated as evidence that every project is at the same stage of development.

The report also highlights the importance of territorial rights. An acquisition for the UK and Ireland, for example, does not automatically grant a platform rights in other countries. Likewise, a co-production agreement or a broadcast commitment in France and Germany does not establish worldwide distribution.

For international buyers and sellers, the value of these announcements therefore depends on the details of each agreement, including territorial coverage, release timing and the rights granted.