The children’s market was easily the hottest at this year’s Mipcom, with some of the industry’s largest companies prioritising a push into the sector.

However, uncertainty over financing remains a crucial issue for producers as they seek to woo international buyers with varying tastes and sensibilities.

A diverse range of children’s TV producers were represented at Mipcom, with international firms such as FremantleMedia and Zodiak talking about opportunities in the market. Smaller UK companies were also buoyed by interest in their content.

FremantleMedia chief executive Tony Cohen said kids’ TV was a “priority area”, announcing that it was doubling investment in the division. Cohen told Broadcast he was hoping to build on the success of Canadian drama My Baby Sitter’s A Vampire with projects such as a new version of boys’ animated adventure Max Steel.

Zodiak Rights chief executive Matthew Frank was also bullish about opportunities in the market.

“Kids is our fastest-growing division despite the fact that the preschool market is so competitive,” he said.

“Only one or two properties break through because it’s so crowded, but when they do, they do really well; and the older six-10 age range has more opportunities.”

Outside of the super-indie sphere, V&S Entertainment had a busy market, with CBeebies series Everything’s Rosie being picked up by US Hispanic network VME.

Companies such as Belfast-based Sixteen South and start-up Ho Ho Entertainment were also upbeat about the state of the industry, with both doing regular business with the BBC.

Sixteen South creative director Colin Williams said creative boundaries were being pushed and new – or rather, retro – onscreen approaches such as puppetry were being explored.

But despite the enthusiasm from both suppliers and buyers, the sector has not escaped perennial concerns about financing.

Billy Macqueen, co-founder and joint managing director of Baby Jake indie Darrall Macqueen, reflected the general sentiment at Mipcom.

“The real strategy is to get more than one broadcaster from a territory going for it. Get a good deal with a German, French or Australian broadcaster and it can fund your development for a decade.”

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