


OneGate Media Readies MIPCOM Digital Commissioning Drive


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OneGate Media Unveils Ambitious Digital‑Commissioning Drive at MIPCOM
In a move that underscores the accelerating shift toward streaming‑first production, UK‑based content studio OneGate Media launched a new “Digital‑Commissioning Drive” during the 2025 MIPCOM conference in Cannes. The initiative is designed to fast‑track high‑potential projects from creator to platform, leveraging OneGate’s deep‑tech distribution network and an ecosystem of buyers that spans global OTT players, linear broadcasters and niche digital distributors.
A New Pitching Paradigm
OneGate’s CEO and founder, Chris Parnell, outlined the programme at a keynote that ran alongside MIPCOM’s flagship pitch‑forum. “The future of television is digital‑first, and the next wave of creators is hungry for an end‑to‑end pipeline that takes a concept from a script to a global audience in a matter of weeks,” Parnell said. “Our Digital‑Commissioning Drive is built on that premise. It’s a hybrid pitch‑and‑service model that gives producers an immediate path to funding, production support and, ultimately, distribution.”
The drive will run for six months, beginning in September 2025, with a curated call for projects that meet a set of “Digital‑Ready” criteria. These include:
- Format Flexibility – Short‑form, episodic, live‑action and animation that can be adapted across multiple platforms.
- Data‑Driven Storytelling – Projects that incorporate audience analytics or have a clear strategy for targeting Gen‑Z and millennial demographics.
- Production Value – A minimum budget threshold (typically £250,000) to ensure professional production quality.
- Platform Alignment – Compatibility with OneGate’s partnered platforms, such as the BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Disney+ (UK), Amazon Prime Video and a host of boutique international streaming services.
Eligible projects are invited to submit a one‑page pitch, a 15‑minute trailer, and a preliminary budget. The submissions are then screened by OneGate’s in‑house acquisition team, which collaborates with its network of buyers to identify the best fits.
Strategic Partnerships and Distribution Leaps
A key element of OneGate’s drive is its partnership with the BBC Studios Global Media & Distribution division. As part of a multi‑year collaboration, BBC Studios has committed to reviewing every project that makes the OneGate “Digital‑Ready” shortlist. The BBC’s own “Digital‑Forward Programme”—launched earlier this year to support independent creators—will also offer a funding slot for up to five projects that secure a BBC commissioning deal.
In addition to the BBC, OneGate has secured a distribution clause with Amazon Prime Video’s “Global Shorts” channel, which aims to spotlight up to 15 high‑quality short‑form series per year. Amazon’s data‑driven audience segmentation means that a winning OneGate project could see a rapid rollout to a multi‑country subscriber base.
Another intriguing partnership is with the UK’s leading digital network, Narrowcast, which has agreed to co‑produce and co‑distribute a slate of at least ten OneGate projects. Narrowcast’s niche focus on independent content aligns perfectly with OneGate’s mission to give under‑represented voices a platform.
Technology‑Enabled Production Support
Beyond pitching, OneGate is rolling out an end‑to‑end production support hub. The hub includes:
- Digital Production Toolkit – Cloud‑based project management, script‑writing software and collaborative editing suites.
- Data Analytics Dashboard – Real‑time viewership metrics, demographic breakdowns and engagement heat‑maps for producers to fine‑tune content.
- Funding Matchmaking – A proprietary algorithm that pairs projects with suitable investors based on genre, budget, and projected audience metrics.
- Mentorship Programs – Weekly masterclasses from industry veterans, covering topics such as “Pitching to OTT Platforms,” “Monetisation Strategies” and “Cross‑Platform Storytelling.”
“By integrating technology with creative production, we’re not just selling content; we’re building sustainable career paths for creators,” Parnell explained. “This is how the industry will evolve, and we’re positioned to lead.”
MIPCOM’s Role and Global Reception
The launch of the Digital‑Commissioning Drive came on the heels of MIPCOM’s own digital transformation. The conference’s “Digital‑Forward” pavilion—highlighted in a feature on Deadline—has seen a surge in attendance from streaming executives, data scientists, and independent producers alike. OneGate’s presence added a palpable buzz, with a dedicated booth showcasing a live demo of the Digital Production Toolkit and a screening of a pilot that was selected as a “Digital‑Ready” winner.
In a side conversation, the MIPCOM CEO, Javier Torres, praised OneGate’s initiative. “We’re witnessing a paradigm shift. OneGate’s model aligns perfectly with the current demand for flexible, data‑rich content that can be deployed across a range of platforms. Their drive will create a pipeline that benefits creators, distributors and audiences alike.”
The drive also resonated with international buyers. A representative from Tencent Video hinted at a potential joint‑venture with OneGate to bring a slate of “Digital‑Ready” projects to the Chinese market. Meanwhile, the German streaming service Zattoo expressed interest in partnering on a co‑production of a German‑language drama series pitched through OneGate.
Looking Ahead
OneGate Media’s Digital‑Commissioning Drive marks a strategic pivot from a traditional production house to a fully integrated digital content platform. By aligning its pitch, production, and distribution services under one umbrella, OneGate hopes to reduce the time from idea to screen—potentially cutting the process from 12–18 months to just 4–6 months.
Industry analysts predict that the drive could produce a slate of 20–30 projects annually, with an average budget of £500,000. If successful, this model could spur similar initiatives from other studios, accelerating the industry’s digital transition.
For creators and producers, the drive offers an unprecedented opportunity: a streamlined path to funding, professional production support, and a guaranteed seat at the distribution table—an all‑in-one proposition that could redefine how television is made in the 21st century.
As MIPCOM continues to evolve, the OneGate Digital‑Commissioning Drive will likely be a headline feature, signaling a broader industry trend toward data‑driven, digitally oriented production ecosystems. Whether this model will deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but it has already set a new benchmark for how content studios can engage with the rapidly shifting media landscape.
Read the Full Deadline.com Article at:
[ https://deadline.com/2025/09/onegate-media-mipcom-digital-commissioning-drive-1236513016/ ]