What are the Top 2 trends impacting the Programming Everywhere community/industry right now? 

• There’s a big need to think outside the box to find new ways to engage and expand audiences and in particular, reach younger viewers
• There’s a big need to reach new audiences of all generations – and generate new revenue – on streaming channels

What challenges does the community need to overcome, because of these trends?

Executives and creators need to avoid being distracted by all the turmoil in media right now…audience measurement is undergoing historic changes…cable and satellite distribution channels are shrinking as streaming channels proliferate and audience fragmentation increases. If programming leaders let their creators take free reign and create, they will win, just like Barbenheimer won big for the Hollywood movie studios during the summer.

Audience fragmentation is putting pressure on revenue and cash flow. Executives and creators need to find the balance between investing in new, fresh ideas and sticking to budgets that reflect changes in the economics of the media industry. Programming Everywhere attendees capitalize on their time together to advance these types of initiatives and find Ideas Beyond Boundaries.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about this space?

Streaming and social media stars have built huge followings with unorthodox programming. How did they build their following? How is their programming evolving? Could what they do work, in any way, on more traditional media? Plus, technology, like never before, can help companies create and distribute programming more efficiently. AI handles mundane tasks, the cloud enables collaboration and 5G and NextGen TV usher in new possibilities for producing more efficiently and personalizing content.

What are the top 3 things that attendees should go hunt down on the show floor to expand what they just learned in Programming Everywhere?

• AI solutions that tag, index and make searchable archived content
• AI solutions that complete mundane tasks (content versioning, translation and transcripts) thus freeing up producers to create more creatively
• Hybrid cloud solutions that enhance content sharing and collaboration across locations around the U.S. and around the world

What discussions should attendees be having with the exhibitors?

I recommend attendees be direct at the outset and ask: Can you help me with this? Sometimes the product offering doesn’t fit and there’s not a match. That’s okay, move on to the next, but just be clear about intentions from the first moment.

• How can cloud providers adjust their business models so their workflows will be more cost-effective for producing news?
• How can AI and other technologies make it quick and easy for producers to spot fake videos and disinformation campaigns?
• What ethical guidelines are they putting in place so that AI solutions will avoid being cybersecurity targets and avoid being used for disinformation campaigns?