NATPE Budapest cancelled until 2022 as Delta variant hits plans

NATPE Budapest

The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) has cancelled its Budapest-based event until 2022, as a result of ongoing complications from the pandemic.

Event organisers said in April they were planning to host NATPE Budapest at the InterContinental Hotel in the Hungarian capital from 30 August to 2 September, later than its normal date in June.

However, plans for a physical event have now been cancelled and NATPE added that it would also not be holding a virtual version of the conference and market, unlike last year when an online offering was launched.

“In light of ongoing developments concerning the rise of the Delta Variant of Covid-19 and travel restrictions preventing travel into Hungary, as well as restrictions on large scale meetings for those there, we have come to the decision to postpone NATPE Budapest International until June 2022, when we can again meet in-person and properly serve the CEE and MENA region,” the organisation said.

NATPE said it had decided “to forgo” a virtual edition of the event but said it was still planning to hold a physical version of the LA-based NATPE Streaming Plus on 14 September.

Flagship event, NATPE Miami, is also being planned for January 2022, with the organisation saying it expects to have participation “from every corner of the world and every aspect of the content industry.”