After the success of 'The Young Pope' and 'Medici: Masters of Florence' in reaching a global audience, Italy is forging ahead into international markets. Rome's MIA market held a rare joint Italian TV Upfronts, with the country's top production companies presenting their latest works to an international audience. The market is growing each year, with more than 1,800 guests this year who set up 60,000 meetings, many focused on how to exploit Italy's expanding TV landscape.

While a number of traditional Italian shows were unveiled, it was revealed that a surprising number of new Italian TV productions are being shot in English. After 2016's The Young Pope and Medici: Masters of Florence were shot largely in English, many companies are focused on finding Italian stories with universal appeal. After leading the way last year with Young Pope, Sky is once again planning a slew of primarily English-language series, including The New Pope, Zero Zero Zero and Django.