Realscreen, NATPE Global & Kidscreen discontinued

Long-standing industry event trio Realscreen, NATPE Global and Kidscreen have been discontinued by owner Brunico Communications.

The Canadian company said the “difficult but necessary decision” to end its US events had been made due to “market change”.

Brunico will instead focus its efforts on its titles, including Realscreen, Kidscreen, Playback and Strategy, as well as the Banff World Media Festival, which will host its 47th edition 14-17 June, 2026.

The move brings an end to the Realscreen and Kidscreen events, which have both been held for more than three decades, while the NATPE organisation is in excess of 60 years old. All three were held in Miami.

The future of NATPE, originally created by North American pay-TV and syndication companies, was not immediately clear.

“This decision was deeply considered and stemmed from the market consolidation that continues to progress and have structural impacts on the content production business,” said Russell Goldstein, president and chief exec of Brunico Communications.

The move will see Claire Macdonald, NATPE’s executive director, and Jocelyn Christie, Kidscreen’s publisher, both leaving Brunico to pursue other opportunities.

“Their passion for the communities we serve has always been evident – from the calibre of the brands’ portfolio to the level of industry respect – and we thank them for their significant contributions,” said Goldstein.

Both Kidscreen and Realscreen will continue to publish daily, while Kidscreen Awards and Realscreen Awards will continue annually, Brunico said.

“The coverage and access that our brands provide are more vital than ever to the communities we serve,” added Goldstein.

“We believe that our leadership position will open new avenues for growth rooted in our mission to provide highly effective ways to facilitate business within our markets.”

“The gratitude we feel for the privilege of serving our communities in this capacity is immense and we could not be more thankful for the tremendous support of all our partners,” added Brunico’s chief content officer, Mary Maddever.

“As the market evolves, Kidscreen and Realscreen will continue to provide a forum for thought leadership, benchmark best in class content, and deliver the dedicated daily intel needed to stay informed.

“We also look forward to developing more ways to connect our audiences with emerging opportunities, new partners and the innovation that will be essential for building businesses and navigating change in the evolving media, entertainment and content economy.”