Eliza Filby explores the powerful forces of generational change and how technology is reshaping the values, behaviors, and attitudes of today’s audiences. From social media to digital tools, tech is influencing what matters most to each generation, whether it’s sustainability, social justice, or digital identity. Eliza delves into how content creators, brands, and broadcasters can engage with different generations—Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers—by crafting messages and experiences that resonate with their evolving needs.
With younger audiences consuming content across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, should broadcasters be creating original, digital-first content rather than simply repurposing traditional TV formats? And how can they improve discoverability to connect with Gen Z on their terms?
What is the long term vision and plan for a digital future?
We look at examples of broadcasters adapting to the digital-first landscape and innovative approaches to audience engagement.
Industry leaders will debate the urgency of TV’s digital transformation and discuss how broadcasters can evolve in content creation, distribution, and monetisation to stay competitive in a rapidly changing media environment.
One of our most talked about speakers returns.... can you guess who is joining us again at TV: The Bigger Picture 2025
Rak Patel, Channel 4’s newly appointed chief commercial officer, brings a fresh, digital-first perspective to the table, drawing from his extensive experience at Spotify to accelerate the network’s commercial growth. In this high-energy session, Rak will unveil his vision for Channel 4’s commercial operations, focusing on a seamless transition from linear to digital while maximising advertising revenue. You’ll hear how Rak plans to leverage digital opportunities, cultivate key client and agency relationships, and explore the unique power of TV for both advertisers and viewers at a time of fears over mis-information and apathy.
Step inside the world of Bluey and discover the secrets behind one of the most powerful fan engagement strategies in children’s television.
In this exclusive behind-the-scenes session, we’ll explore how the brand’s digital presence has been expertly crafted—from platform strategy to storytelling—building a global community of passionate fans. We’ll also look ahead to 2025, as BBC Studios expands social-first original content featuring A-list talent, top creators, exciting brand partnerships, and new digital series set to take Bluey even further.
TV advertising is at a turning point. As the shift from linear to addressable accelerates in an IP-first world, the industry faces a critical challenge: how to align traditional strengths with new expectations. What are the opportunities for convergence, and how can we bring these two worlds together to ensure a seamless and effective future for TV advertising?
Broadcasters, agencies, and advertisers must collaborate to navigate this transition—ensuring that the power of TV is not only preserved but enhanced in an addressable, data-driven landscape. But what does true collaboration look like in practice? And how do we bridge the gap between legacy models and new digital opportunities?
There is also a deeply ingrained perception of what TV delivers for advertising. How do we challenge traditional mindsets, redefine TV’s role in the media mix, and get buyers to think differently about TV’s effectiveness in a fragmented viewing landscape?
At the same time, as digital ad volume grows and concerns around audience fatigue and market saturation increase, how do we balance innovation with long-term sustainability?
This session is a call to realign how we think, measure, and spend.
A full rebrand earlier this year saw linear, streaming, and digital platforms unite under the single brand - 5. In this fireside chat, Sarah Rose, President of 5 and UK Regional Lead at Paramount, will reveal the strategy behind the transformation. We’ll explore how the network is balancing its rich legacy with the need for innovation, and how it’s creating a seamless, cross-platform experience that resonates with both loyal viewers and new audiences.
The session will dive deep into the challenges of evolving a traditional broadcast brand without alienating existing fans, and how 5 plans to adapt to changing viewing habits across linear, streaming, and digital. With insights from Sarah, we’ll gain a unique perspective on the future of media, and what other networks can learn from 5’s bold reinvention in a rapidly shifting landscape.
Simplified, intuitive design will be essential to making the shift to IP truly seamless. It will be key in creating experiences that are not just ‘as good as’ linear, but enhanced with richer features, greater accessibility, and a more tailored viewing experience for all.
During this session, we’ll uncover key challenges and opportunities in creating an inclusive and engaging TV experience for everyone. The transition to IP has the potential to unlock new capabilities in advertising, AI, personalisation, and accessibility, but success depends on ensuring no viewer is left behind during the move.
We’ll also explore how IP delivery can drive innovation – from tailored content experiences to advanced accessibility features like voice control and adaptive interfaces.
How do we navigate this shift while delivering both commercial and consumer benefits? And what work still needs to be done? Join us to find out.
As consumer behaviors evolve, new opportunities arise for commercial interfaces and functionality. In this session, we explore how shifting social behaviors are influencing the demand for new interfaces and what a truly consumer-centric user experience looks like.
We’ll dive into how the next wave of streaming services can be more intuitive and user-focused, from crafting commercial services that enhance discovery and surface relevant recommendations, to evolving the connected interface.
We’ll also examine the impact of social trends on streaming platforms, looking at how consumer expectations have shifted and what insights we can learn from social platforms to drive sales and engagement.
AI is rewriting the rules of the media industry, and this session will take you to the heart of the action. From reimagining video production to changing how we capture and keep consumer attention, AI is shaking things up in ways we never saw coming. Jamie Vickers takes a deep dive into what's actually happening in media companies right now—what’s working, what’s not, and what we’ve learned from those already implementing AI.
But it’s not just about where we are today. We’ll dig into the journey—how we got here, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and where AI in the media is headed. Plus, we’ll focus on how to make the shift from opportunistic efforts to a truly AI-enabled organisation.
Expect a practical, no-nonsense exploration of what’s changing, what’s next, and how you can navigate the AI-driven future with confidence.
As technology continues to evolve, so too does the way audiences engage with content. This session looks ahead to the next generation of viewing experiences—where personalisation, interactivity, and immersion redefine what it means to watch, listen, and participate. AI is no longer just powering backend processes—it’s reshaping how stories are told, how content is surfaced, and how deeply audiences connect. From hyper-personalised recommendations to AI-assisted storytelling, what role will this technology play in enhancing emotional impact, authenticity, and trust? At the same time, immersive technologies like VR, AR, and holography are poised to take storytelling into new dimensions. But can they truly transform the living room experience—or are they still looking for their breakout moment?
This session explores what’s next for audiences: How will we watch? What will we expect? And which innovations will truly shape the future of media consumption?
Expect bold thinking, candid debate, and a glimpse into the connected, immersive, AI-enabled future of viewing.
In today’s fragmented media landscape, a seamless multiplatform strategy is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity. As audiences shift between linear TV, streaming services, social media, and short-form platforms, the battle for attention has never been more intense. With algorithmic curation controlling discoverability, how can content providers break through the noise? Can short-form content serve as the gateway to deeper, more immersive experiences, and what does it take to craft a truly frictionless multi-device journey that keeps viewers engaged across platforms?
The dominance of YouTube, TikTok, and other digital-first ecosystems highlights the urgency of reaching younger audiences. Yet a glaring generational gap remains - one where many viewers see social video and traditional TV as entirely separate worlds. How can broadcasters, streamers and content owners bridge this divide, creating a cohesive viewing experience that blends long-form storytelling with the immediacy of digital engagement? More importantly, how do we evolve the TV model to meet the expectations of an audience accustomed to infinite choice and hyper-personalised content?
With on-demand viewing habits reshaping consumption patterns, the future of TV hinges on strategic content distribution, adaptive monetisation, and the ability to innovate at speed. As streaming services fight for retention, what lessons can be learned from gaming, interactive media, and social platforms to future-proof content strategies? And as platform fatigue grows, how do we avoid diluting audience engagement across too many channels while ensuring content reaches the right viewers at the right time?
The TV industry is at a crossroads—caught between legacy systems, infrastructure and mindsets and the need for bold innovation. Broadcasters must modernise to stay competitive, but transformation is rarely straightforward. How can companies maintain a cohesive strategy across linear and digital platforms without alienating existing audiences or jeopardising core revenue streams? And as consumer expectations evolve, is incremental change enough, or is it time for a more radical rethink?
Despite widespread recognition that legacy systems are slowing progress, many organisations struggle to break free from outdated workflows, rigid operational structures, and financial dependencies. While streaming-first disruptors operate with agility, established broadcasters must navigate complex internal challenges, balancing the demands of shareholders, advertisers, and consumers while laying the groundwork for the future. What are the key barriers holding innovation back—and how are those leading the charge overcoming them?
At the same time, innovation comes at a cost. Transitioning to new models requires investment, yet financial uncertainty makes risk-taking difficult. Can broadcasters future-proof their business without destabilising existing revenue streams? And with lean, highly skilled digital teams increasingly stretched, what structural changes are needed to ensure the industry isn’t just talking about innovation—but actually delivering it?
As streaming consumption continues to soar, monetisation models are under pressure. Subscription fatigue is real, with consumers increasingly scrutinising their monthly bills and churning between platforms. Meanwhile, the ad-supported streaming boom offers new revenue opportunities but brings its own challenges - can ad-funded models scale without compromising user experience? In a fiercely competitive market, how can broadcasters and platforms sustain long-term growth while balancing retention, engagement, and profitability?
The battle for audience loyalty has never been tougher. With infinite content choices at their fingertips, viewers are harder to hold onto than ever before. Broadcasters must move beyond traditional growth strategies, finding new ways to differentiate, personalise, and build lasting relationships with audiences. This means striking the right balance between discoverability and curation, ensuring content cuts through the noise without overwhelming viewers with choice. But in a fragmented ecosystem, where does control sit? Will consolidation streamline the landscape, or will further fragmentation make monetisation even more complex?
And then there’s the platform dilemma. With apps (and spend) proliferating across smart TVs, streaming sticks, and proprietary operating systems, is the industry heading toward an unsustainable model? Are we diluting engagement and commercial opportunity across too many touchpoints, or do we need to rethink the role of platforms, bundling, and aggregation? As content, distribution, and technology models continue to evolve, who will own the gateway to audiences, and their purchasing decisions, in the next phase of TV’s transformation?
Television advertising is at a turning point. While digital advertising continues to dominate global ad spend, linear TV still commands premium value for reach, engagement, and brand trust. But with audience habits (and brand expectations) shifting, the industry faces a critical question: how does TV advertising evolve to stay relevant in a world of on-demand, personalised content? As we navigate the path to IP-delivered advertising, and with traditional relationships (or transactions) complicated by all the players in the new game and all the ad options available it’s no wonder the TV advertising space looks confusing.
The promise of is clear: precision targeting, dynamic ad insertion, real-time optimisation and a plethora of new ad inventory choices giving advertisers the ability to serve highly relevant content at scale. As data-driven strategies redefine engagement are brands and agencies ready to make the leap from eyeballs to individuals? With legacy buying habits still dominant, and digital’s complexity creating paralysis by choice, what’s needed to accelerate widespread adoption?
The fragmented landscape of digital advertising - with multiple platforms, walled gardens, and differing measurement standards—creates confusion and inefficiencies. Brands face an uphill battle in tracking ROI across fragmented ecosystems, and the lack of unified measurement makes proving effectiveness difficult. How can the industry drive greater transparency, interoperability, and standardisation to build confidence in next-gen advertising?
Technology is no longer just enhancing media - it’s fundamentally reshaping how audiences engage with content. AI is now driving real-world change, from hyper-personalised recommendations to automated production workflows, streamlining operations and redefining efficiency. But as AI-generated content grows, so do concerns over authenticity, tone, and audience trust. Where do we draw the line between innovation and integrity, and how do we ensure AI enhances rather than dilutes the viewing experience?
At the same time, immersive technologies like VR and AR continue to divide opinion. Are they the next frontier of media, or another passing trend that fails to launch? Despite promising applications, mass adoption remains elusive. For these technologies to break through, they need more than novelty - they require clear use cases, audience demand, and revenue potential. So far, those remain largely undefined.
As the industry moves forward, the real challenge is separating transformative innovation from technological distraction. Which advances will truly redefine the way we create, distribute, and consume content - and which will quietly disappear into the background? We go beyond the buzzwords to uncover the tech that’s here to stay.
