Streaming Media Connect Sneak Preview: Ex-Factor - Cutting Cloud Streaming OpEx With Zixi, Paramount, SVTA, A+E, and Amazon Web Services

On Wednesday, August 21, Jason Thibeault, CEO, Streaming Video Technology Alliance, will moderate the panel "Ex-Factor: Cutting Cloud Streaming OpEx." An expert group will discuss managing and streamlining cloud OpEx and implementing strategies and technologies for making cloud operations as cost-efficient as possible. Confirmed panelists include Eric Bolten of Zixi, John Barber of AWS, Corey Smith of CBS Sports and Paramount Global, and Dave Klee of A+E Networks.

Future Today Partners with iSpot.tv to Measure and Optimize Ad-Supported Streaming TV Campaigns

The cross-platform TV measurement company iSpot.tv has partnered with Future Today, the pioneer in delivering cutting-edge CTV ad-supported solutions. Leveraging iSpot's Streaming Measurement solution, the collaboration focuses on measuring incremental reach beyond linear campaigns, bringing real-time optimization to advertisers looking to engage with streaming audiences.

Streaming Media Connect Sneak Preview: Ad Counsel - Delivering Streaming Ads That Convert, With Estrella Media, Vevo, TVREV, Initiative, and Advertiser Perceptions

On Tuesday, August 20, at Streaming Media Connect, Alan Wolk, Co-Founder/Lead Analyst, TVREV, will moderate the panel "Ad Counsel: Delivering Streaming Ads That Convert," which confronts the current challenges (or, some would say, failures) to reliably deliver the right ads to viewers and measurable results to brands and discusses innovative technologies and strategies to make streaming ads perform. Confirmed panelists include Christina Chung of Estrella Media, Julie Triolo of Vevo, C.J. Leonard of Infinitive, and Erin Firneno of Advertiser Perceptions.

All Options on the Table as WBD Seeks to Prevent Total Breakup

Perhaps it was always too big to swallow, but now CEO David Zaslav appears to have made plans to restructure, downsize, or sell off parts of the WarnerBros. Discovery (WBD) media powerhouse.

Snap’s Walled Garden Opens to VideoAmp for Industry-First Strategic Collaboration

Social technology platform Snap has opened its walled garden for an industry-first strategic collaboration with the leading media measurement company VideoAmp. Snap will be able to "independently run supplemental measurement and planning alongside its core advertising" by utilizing VideoAmp's large data and tech engine, VALID. As AR becomes more popular, VideoAmp's current video planning features will also be a useful tool for marketers wishing to investigate and test out new AR formats.

Pay TV Gets Serious About Free Streaming

When it comes to free streaming, U.S. growth has been fueled by pure players like Pluto TV and Tubi and connected TV platforms like Roku and Samsung looking to feed cord-shavers and cord-cutters in need of a linear viewing experience. These companies have had a head start and a clear path to test and learn for years. However, in the past 18 months, pay TV players have decided that they too have a role to play in free streaming.

The Monetization Story of 2024 and Beyond

For the longest time, people I've interviewed have complained about how much of the video advertising budget went to social. Now the tide is turning.

Akta's Cutting-Edge AI-Based Video Platform Continues To Innovate, Leveraging Google’s Gemini

Leading the way in video innovation, Akta's integration enriches video metadata, extracts captions, generates clip descriptions and more

IBC Unveils Lineup for 2024 Show, Promises Tweaks to Familiar Formula

Trade show IBC is back on track to almost pre-Covid levels, and will feature Content Everywhere and AI pavilions, according to organisers, in an update given three months before the show on September 13-16 opens in its usual Amsterdam home.

Why Netflix, Paramount, HBO, Disney, Warner Bros. and Other Premium Streamers Are Cutting Back Marketing Budgets

Recent findings from EDO Ad EnGage found that, for the first five months of 2024, premium streaming platforms such as Netflix, Paramount, Disney, and Warner Bros. have reduced their national TV marketing spending, down 18% to $216.1 million in paid advertising/promotional value. Industry experts Jon Giegengack and Alan Wolk weigh in the factors, such as content overload, subscriber churn, and a refocusing of resources.

Is Live Streaming Stagnating? Give Us Your Feedback!

A new survey takes a critical look at the live-streaming ecosystem

SMNYC: Four Debates, Two Topics, One Educational Day

On Monday, May 20, Streaming Media NYC hosted four debates on two topics that represented a fantastic programming win for the conference. The first half of the day was dedicated to AI and covered the full range of topics from authorship to copyright to privacy and more. The second half of the day featured two panels debating the definition of premium content, the value of social media as well as the question of how CTV measures up against mobile as an advertising platform. Read on to get caught up.

SMNYC Highlight: Fireside Chat With Roku President Charlie Collier and Media Cartographer Evan Shapiro

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Streaming Media NYC, media cartographer Evan Shapiro sat down with Charlie Collier, President of Roku Media and former President of AMC, for a deep dive discussion about the development and current dominance of Roku, the #1 streaming TV platform in America. They talked about how Roku's UI brings "simplicity and delight" to their EPG, the ways that Roku collaborates with other platforms and publishers, and the need for a new media ecosystem to support creative risk-taking in the streaming era.

SMNYC Keynote Highlights: Beat The BUZZR & Brand Vs. Retail

On Tuesday, May 21, at Streaming Media NYC, a series of morning keynotes featuring leading industry figures covered a wide range of topics, including how Microsoft and Fremantle are gamifying FAST and capitalizing interactive TV, and a lively debate about brand versus retail with Crackle, Uber Advertising, IAB, and Witz About Her.

SMNYC Debates: TO AI, OR NOT TO AI?

On Monday, May 20, at Streaming Media NYC, two lively debates on the topic of AI in Media and Entertainment showcased leading industry figures. The first, "AI: Boon Or Bubble?" examined the ways that AI has entered every sector of the media, business, and technology worlds, and it explored how much of AI's insurgency is a fad, and how much of it is the actual future of streaming. The second, "The Real Value Of Artificial Intelligence," explored the fearmongering around the idea that "AI is coming for our jobs," and focused on how AI/ML might make workflows more efficient and effective, grow or refine reach, and help to boost bottom lines.

Warner Bros. Discovery Showcases New Slate of Content Offerings, Ad Solutions, and Highly Regarded Talent at Annual Upfront Event

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) held its annual Upfront presentation at New York City's Madison Square Garden. With the theme of "Make it Happen Here," WBD leadership emphasized its strong positioning in the evolving media landscape, facilitating optimized reach for brands via new ad formats and sophisticated advertising and measurement solutions.

SMNYC Sneak Preview: Marketing You & Networking For Keeps With LPG edu, JustWatch, LinkedIn, Paramount, and Morgan Search International

On Monday, May 20, at Streaming Media NYC, Lori Greene, Founder of LPG edu, will moderate the panel "Marketing You & Networking For Keeps," exploring the best ways to promote your brand and network organically. Confirmed panelists Karen Morgan of Morgan Search International, Andy Pondillo of LinkedIn, Dayo Harewood of Paramount Brand Studio, and Sara Demenkoff of JustWatch will discuss how to expand your network without it being transactional and the best ways to build a clientele for a new business.

UK Broadcasters Plot Managed Transition to Universal Access Streamed TV

UK broadcasters, including the BBC, have said that delivering TV over the air is no longer economically viable and envisage an increased reliance on broadband networks for video streaming in the future. In a comprehensive report submitted to the UK government regarding the future of TV distribution, regulator Ofcom found widespread support across the sector for TV services continuing to be available to all but no shared view about how to achieve this. Adrian Pennington lists the three broad strategies Ofcom outlined instead and the challenges for achieving them.

SMNYC Sneak Preview: CTV vs. Mobile - Where Is the Value Debate With YumCrunch, Sling, Vevo, Telly, and Totem

On Monday, May 20, at Streaming Media NYC, Mike Duffy of YumCrunch will be moderating a debate about the current value of CTV vs. Mobile. Confirmed panelists Kent Rees of Sling Freestream, Hedvig Arnet of Vevo, Dallas Lawrence of Telly, and Steve Crombie of Totem will discuss how to recognize generational and cultural differences in who, how, and where viewers consume their content and in how user experiences and monetization strategies are crafted for each platform, along with finding the value proposition for each in the current landscape and where the key content categories of premium, niche, and social factor into the equation.

Interview: IP Attorney Robert J.L. Moore Discusses Video Codec IP and Patent Monetization Issues

In this wide-ranging interview, Streaming Media's Jan Ozer and intellectual property attorney Robert Moore of Moore IP solutions delve into a number of topics related to video codec intellectual property issues and patent monetization, two constantly moving targets.