Natpe Miami: Distributors and buyers are evaluating their face-to-face attendance and go virtual

As Natpe’s date approaches, distributors and buyers are evaluating whether or not to go ahead with their plans to attend the event in person, due to the uncertainty regarding the new wave of covid-19 infections.

Companies like Lionsgate and NBCUniversal (although Telemundo reported that it will attend) could call off their assistance. Caracol, for its part, is assessing the situation to decide the modality of its presence. Netflix, Apple, and MGM have not yet answered PRODU’s inquiries.

Some buyers are reaching out to distributors to hold scheduled meetings online. The fear of contagion and, consequently, of staying isolated in an expensive hotel for several days, are some of the reasons that endanger attendance. In addition, is the risk of making the effort to participate in an event in which attendance could end up being poor.

“In November we were optimistic, but now the situation has changed,” said distributor Miguel Rosenfeld.

“I am receiving many cancellations from clients who had confirmed their attendance at Natpe,” José Escalante, from Latin Media, reported.

Acquisition executives from TVN Chile, Telefuturo Paraguay, Mega El Salvador, Go TV Honduras, TVN Panama, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Artear from Argentina will not attend Natpe. On the other hand, the Peruvian channels Latina Televisión and América TV; Chile’s Mega, Canal 13 and Chilevisión; the Colombian RCN; the Mexicans Televisa, TV Azteca and Imagen TV continue with their plans to travel to Miami.

While several sellers such as SOMOS Group, VIP 2000, 360 Powwow, Exile Content, RCN, Telefilms, Globo, Trinity, EO Media Distribution, Turkish distributors, have confirmed their participation.

“Some clients have canceled asking us to switch to virtual calls keeping the same meeting hours (Chile, Paraguay), but for now most of them are still attending the event. Unless Natpe cancels we will be there,” said Andrés Santos, from Screenbright, who in association with Vision Films will be at the event from their stand on the market floor.

The organizers, meanwhile, are doing their best to keep the event going. They have even launched promotions – for a limited time – of a discount of US$255 off the US$1,200 ticket.