Tuesday, Oct 7
Track C: Beyond the Stream—The Ultimate Content Challenge
As consumers juggle TikTok, YouTube, Netflix, gaming, and live sports, the competition for attention has never been fiercer. The Content track at Streaming Media 2025 focuses on content strategy, creator tools, and engagement tactics for capturing and keeping audiences.
Streaming services aren’t just competing with each other—they're battling the entire digital ecosystem for attention. This track helps creators, content strategists, and platform leaders develop new engagement models.
The audience for this track includes:
- • Content strategists and platform executives crafting audience retention strategies
- • Advertisers and brands finding new ways to engage consumers in a fragmented media landscape
- • Creative professionals and interactive designers building new formats for streaming
- • Creators, influencers, and digital-first storytellers adapting to shifting consumption trends
C101. Competing With Social Platforms in the Short-Form Space
Tuesday, October 7: 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
This panel kicks off Streaming Media’s first-ever “creator” track with a look at what more traditional channels can do to gain and maintain a foothold in this new creator content universe, exploring how streaming platforms can win against TikTok and YouTube.
Floris Bauer, Co-Founder and President, Gunpowder & Sky
David B. Williams, SVP & GM of Channels, pocket.watch
Kasey Esser, Actor and Producer, Vertical Microdramas
Craig German, C-Suite M&E Advisor
C102. The Rise of Live and Participatory Content
Tuesday, October 7: 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
“Appointment viewing” is making a comeback by bringing the fans into the game. Prepare to lean in to learn how successful practitioners are making it happen.
Doug Daulton, Producer, Co-Creator, Future Frames Podcast
C103. The Role of Legacy IP in Capturing New Audience Segments
Tuesday, October 7: 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dusting off classic media properties and leveraging them in new linear channels and other streaming venues has proven to be a winning strategy for content owners in the new distribution landscape; learn how franchises are reinventing themselves and reeling in new fans.
Paige Sherman, Director, Digital Video Programming, Shout Studios
Elaine De Santiago, VP Global Channel Operations, Fremantle
Brandon Katz, Director of Insights & Content Strategy, Greenlight Analytics
C104. The Creator Economy and the Future of Video Monetization
Tuesday, October 7: 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Creators are shaping the next wave of content, and that wave is rolling in fast. Join this panel to gain insight into the emerging creator economy and how to make it profitable.
David B. Williams, SVP & GM of Channels, pocket.watch
Jonathan Shrank, VP of Streaming & Content Partnerships, TheSoul Publishing
Charlie Ibarra, Head of Content, Creator Television
Parker Jones, CEO, Towerhouse
Wednesday, Oct 8
Track C: Beyond the Stream—The Ultimate Content Challenge
As consumers juggle TikTok, YouTube, Netflix, gaming, and live sports, the competition for attention has never been fiercer. The Content track at Streaming Media 2025 focuses on content strategy, creator tools, and engagement tactics for capturing and keeping audiences.
Streaming services aren’t just competing with each other—they're battling the entire digital ecosystem for attention. This track helps creators, content strategists, and platform leaders develop new engagement models.
The audience for this track includes:
- • Content strategists and platform executives crafting audience retention strategies
- • Advertisers and brands finding new ways to engage consumers in a fragmented media landscape
- • Creative professionals and interactive designers building new formats for streaming
- • Creators, influencers, and digital-first storytellers adapting to shifting consumption trends
C201. Independent by Design: Creators Who Built Their Own Path
Wednesday, October 8: 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Not every creator follows the conventional route through studios, agencies, or influencer networks. This session features four creators who’ve built sustainable businesses on their own terms—operating outside the traditional systems while cultivating loyal audiences and creative freedom. Hear how they did it, why it works, and what others can learn from their approach.
C202. AI-Powered Curation and Discoverability
Wednesday, October 8: 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
In today’s saturated content market, even on the downward slope of the peak TV era, offering great content isn’t enough to deliver satisfying experiences to streaming users. Platforms and channels need to read the tea leaves of user data and surface the shows viewers most want to see next. This session explores how machine learning and personalization facilitate more effective curation and discovery and increasingly shape the viewer experience.
Max Rausch, Director, Business Optimization, Roku
Tony Huidor, President, Technology & Chief Product Officer, Cineverse
Sharon Kritzer, VP Product, Discovery + AI, Tubi
Rebecca Avery, Owner & Principal, Integration Therapy LLC
C203. Fan Communities and the Future of Engagement
Wednesday, October 8: 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
As digital platforms evolve, sustained engagement thrives on belonging. Viewers build powerful connections as fan bases through communities of shared interest. How are today’s streaming platforms responding to this trend and leveraging fan loyalty and fandom culture?
Jeff Clanagan, President & Chief Distribution Officer, Hartbeat
Brandon Stewart, Founder & CEO, Brandon Studios
Kyle Espinosa, VP Global Programming & Analytics, Fremantle