What Happens to Television?

Formats, channels, creators, companies, revenues. There’s a lot that’s been changing in the world of TV. We’ve seen barriers to creating and publishing video-based content disappear, watched as viewing on ever-smaller screens has become popular, experienced the phenomenon of unexpected video stars shooting to fame via home-made footage and seen viewing platforms evolve way past the humble family living-room television. There’s a lot going on for TV while at the same time the future of traditional broadcast TV is far from certain.

There’s a lot to talk about, so be part of the discussion at ‘What Happens to TV?’, part of NMK’s Future of Media series.

So, if the recession is going to see a decline in advertising, does that mean all doom and gloom for the TV industry? How is TV faring compared to other media, and is TV-style content better placed to look at alternative revenue models?

With spending power going down and incomes shaky, it seems that more and more consumers are choosing to stay in, rather than going out. And what do they do when they stay in? Watch TV. Does this mean paying for premium subscription-based content will become a more financially-attractive option than an evening out?

Over the last few years we’ve seen a massive rise in user-generated video content via the likes of YouTube and citizen journalism sites. With the huge amount of data being stored at a massive cost to the website and, currently, zero charge to the uploader, are we likely to see a change in this model? Is the ability to share self-created videos with friends or colleagues important enough that we’ll start paying for it? And what about viewing figures? Will audiences start to shy away from UGC due to the variable quality, in favour of premium programmed content for a higher-quality experience?

What about mobile TV? Is it only news that will attract readers via this format or are audiences ready to watch their favourite programmes on an iPhone rather than a big screen television?

The Deloitte TMT Predictions for Media report made a good point recently. That despite all the changes to TV, last year the Olympics and the US Presidential Inauguration “demonstrated the unique attributes of television: its ability to inform and influence mass markets of viewers in ways no other medium can yet compete with”. With the rising ubiquity of broadband internet, will we see a movement away from the way we watch broadcast TV-style content, if not a change to the type of content itself?

There’s a lot to talk about, so be part of the discussion at ‘What Happens to TV?’, part of NMK’s Future of Media series. As ever, drinks and networking will follow the main session.

The Panel (further panellists to be confirmed)

James Baker, General Manager, Current TV

James is a leading figure in the UK media industry, with a broad range of experience in TV, film and digital media. James spent 11 years with BSkyB, leading Sky One, and developing the network’s original production strategy. In 1996 he became Managing Director, Networked Media at Sky, overseeing web content and interactive TV strategy. After a period developing and managing start-up and early stage media funds in the UK and Abu Dhabi, James joined Current TV as General Manager. Current TV is the world’s leading online and TV crowd-sourced content network.

Kelly Sweeney, Head of Original Productions, Bebo

As Bebo’s Head of Original Productions, Kelly Sweeney works to identify and commission new shows for the world’s leading social media network, Bebo, and develop this emergent medium with shows such as KateModern, Sofia’s Diary and The Secret World of Sam King. Kelly ensures that Bebo’s original productions continue to be engaging and enticing, through building and maintaining a collaborative relationship with Bebo’s production partners and advertisers and ensuring a great experience for its users. Kelly joined Bebo after a year working on KateModern – a show that achieved more than 67 million views within 12 months and garnered industry acclaim securing two BAFTA nominations and a British Press Guild Award for innovation. Previously, Kelly worked on over 20 TV productions for the BBC, Sky and ITV amongst others, on projects ranging from daily live reality to documentaries, comedy, entertainment and chat shows.

Thomas Dvorak, Chief Marketing Officer, APRICO

APRICO is a technology venture of Philips to find, filter and deliver personalised content channels using content from broadcast TV, movies, podcasts, video and other media. Thomas started his career in the Telecommunication business of Siemens Austria and in 2000 he became Product and Sales Manager at Alcatel-Lucent before he was appointed Business Development Manager Central and Eastern Europe for transmission systems. After 10 years in the Telecommunication industry Thomas moved to the UK to join Motorola as Global Business & Marketing Manager for government and public safety solutions. In this role he was also co-chairman and Motorola representative in the Dimetra User Forum, a European-wide forum of customers using Motorola technology. In 2008 Thomas became Chief Marketing Officer of APRICO. Thomas studied economics at the Danube University Krems, has a technical education in telecommunications and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship.

Alan Patrick, Principal, Broadsight

Alan is co-founder and principal of Broadsight, a specialist digital multi-media consultancy and system design house. Alan has worked in the tech/media/telecoms (TMT) industry for over 20 years in a number of senior roles – strategic, operational and corporate development - at both blue chip and startup businesses. He has also consulted in the TMT space for McKinsey and Deloitte. Alan co-founded Broadsight two years ago. Broadsight handles projects from technology strategy through to system design and build. Recent projects include evolution of online video and TV, online interactive advertising, fixed-mobile social network and directories design, and rolling out HDTV services for Cable companies. Alan also writes Broadstuff, a somewhat irreverent UK technology strategy blog.