Last week, it was off to London for the annual Connected TV World Summit. Now hosted on Bishopsgate in the City, my route to the venue took me on a circuitous route and as I passed Whittington Avenue I wondered if, borrowing slightly from the folklore, the future of the media and entertainment industry was going to be paved with gold?
One thing is certain, the M&E industry is undergoing a period of transition. Content fragmentation, demands for pay-as-you-go subscriptions, and new modes of engagement have been in play for some time. Now add to that a cost-of-living crisis that's squeezing consumers until their proverbial pips squeak and we find ourselves discussing how media and operators can both sustain the current climate while exploring additional service opportunities.
It was perhaps no surprise then, that the Connected TV World Summit focused on three main themes: Subscriber Retention, The Role of AI and New Horizons. Let's explore each of these in turn.
Subscriber Retention in a Cost of Living Crisis
According to Tim Mulligan from Midia Research, subscriber fatigue around entertainment at home when combined with the cost-of-living crisis has, for the first time, shown a contraction in digital entertainment growth. Equally, looking at the market we see two approaches to content selling. Those selling devices and/ or services (e.g. Apple or Amazon) off the back of content and those for whom content is core to their business. For this latter group, and as EVP and CMO of NAGRA, Nancy Goldberg commented, We all need to collectively preserve the value of content as without this, media and entertainment operators will have a tough job ahead. Discussing this further, the panel explored correlations between different types of demographics - older demographics are slower to churn and less elastic when compared to younger demographics. This segmentation of the audience is not new but to react to it requires flexibility - of price, position, content partnerships and consumption behavior.
As part of deriving content value, one important contributor is understanding every ounce of consumer behavior data. At NAGRA we have been exploring this in some detail. Using digital twin technology, AI and advanced algorithms, our teams have created a Smart Pricing solution that is designed to simulate the impact of changes to subscriptions, new offers or pricing on each subscriber's digital twin. Seeking to understand likely reactions within the safety of the digital twin environment before being launched live, the solution has been proven to help uncover not only consumption habits but also deliver sizeable benefits. This can open a new world of possibilities and enable strategies that were previously not accessible. A powerful force with which to address today's market challenges, the approach can personalize offerings based on previous behaviours. This then delivers the right package at the right price for the right subscriber and can simulate business scenarios that maximize the competitiveness of the operator.
The Role Of AI
I discussed above how we're using AI at NAGRA to help drive new approaches to subscriber retention. At the London event there was also much discussion about how AI can help our industry drive tangible changes in other areas. One such area was recommendation and personalization. Delivering the illusion of choice, AI tools have for some time been a key weapon in the video service operator's arsenal through which to offer recommendations to help subscriber discovery - as is done by NAGRA partner XroadMedia as part of our OpenTV Video Platform solution.
But let's take that a step further.
If we looked as AI as a vehicle to further drive engagement, could it also extend into generating thumbnail images for content that are linked to an AI-created profile, perhaps derived from a digital twin solution? Equally, new immersive content delivered through Virtual Reality headsets or Augmented Reality content could be presented differently through an AI engine that scours vast vaults of metadata to pull out the key points that the subscriber is interested in. Finally, could AI provide the answer to the costly business of language and caption localization through on-the-fly or equivalent translators? While some of these subjects were touched on in London, it's clear that there is still much opportunity to be leveraged with AI!
New Horizons
What's next' was keenly discussed at the conference. New services, designed to protect hyper-connected lifestyles need to bring together new partnerships and technologies and of course, there was also discussion around the ubiquitous metaverse. The ultimate aim is for video service providers to be able to market to householders rather than just the household. The fulcrum of these new horizons is based around a core identity and ewallet offer designed to put the consumer firmly back in charge of their identity. This aims to prevent the islands of identity' that occur today as our connected lives use apps for a variety of needs beyond entertainment such as travel, groceries, and finance. Ultimately, the road ahead is likely to be less about new devices, new packages, and new content and more about a wider service proposition designed to offer both security as well as entertainment.
After a hectic two days in London, it's clear that this is an industry that while going through change, still abounds with opportunity. In fact, given the fusion of some of the technologies that were discussed and how they can support existing media and entertainment propositions, there's an exciting future ahead! If you'd like to discuss how NAGRA solutions are supporting the above themes or how we're looking at the possibilities beyond the horizon, please contact us; we&
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
28/04/2024
Mediahaus delivers the first SRT live-streaming sports production over 5G with U...
26/04/2024
Sundance Film Festival CDMX 2024 kicks-off today with screenings in 5 theaters in Mexico City and the opening-night film, FRIDA, directed by Carla Guti rrez...
26/04/2024
[Editor's Note: This interview is part of a larger feature about the women d...
26/04/2024
Once again this year, SGL Carbon opened its doors to interested children and young people. On the occasion of the German Girls and Boys Day, which took place on...
26/04/2024
Orders1 of $5.5 billion; book-to-bill of 1.06x
Revenue of $5.2 billion, up 17%,...
26/04/2024
Five Considerations For Communications Modernization In The 21st Century
In the digital-enabled battlespace, the Joint Force needs to shoot, move and communica...
26/04/2024
CBS Sports has launched Champions League as a new, 24-hour streaming channel that will serve as the year-round destination for nonstop highlights of the UEFA ...
26/04/2024
Despite tough competition in the streaming space, Roku reported solid results in Q1 2024, beating revenue expectations, with total net revenue up 19% YoY to $88...
26/04/2024
LONDON AND TORONTO Pinewood Toronto Studios has appointed Sarah Farrell as general manager of the Studios in downtown Toronto....
26/04/2024
Quantum to Offer Advanced Filesharing Technology and Performance in StorNext and...
26/04/2024
FilmLight Colour Awards welcomes 2024 entries and introduces new Emerging Talen...
26/04/2024
Picture Shop Announces Chris Evans as Head of Unscripted
Brie Clayton April 26, 2024
0 Comments
Picture Shop announced Chris Evans will lead Unscripte...
26/04/2024
Participate in a Survey - The Impact of AI on Media and the Creative Industry
Pascal Wagner April 26, 2024
0 Comments
By participating in this survey,...
26/04/2024
Toy maker Mattel said it is working with Samsung to launch its first free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels later this year....
26/04/2024
Trusted Media Brands (TMB) said it named Marty Moe as president....
26/04/2024
Ron Howard is the director on Jim Henson Idea Man, a documentary that premieres on Disney Plus May 31. Henson of course created Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Big...
26/04/2024
The ice continues to melt under the regional sports network business as the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League have made a long-term deal to broadcast...
26/04/2024
Heading into the upfronts, Warner Bros. Discovery said it launched Olli, a first-party data platform advertiser can use for converged, targeted advertising camp...
26/04/2024
CBS has renewed the drama The Equalizer, which will see season five on in 2024-2025. Queen Latifah stars....
26/04/2024
The CW has entered into an exclusive multiyear broadcast partnership for the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Teen USA Pageant. The 73rd Miss USA Pageant will air ...
26/04/2024
Fuse Media isn't mincing words in a campaign urging its young viewers to register and participate in the 2024 elections....
26/04/2024
Dead Boy Detectives, a series from Neil Gaiman about a detective agency staffed by ghosts, debuts on Netflix April 25. George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri are in t...
26/04/2024
The Story Collective has gradually repurposed the former Mortlake Brewery to include production offices, workshops and sound stages
By Matthew Corrigan
Publi...
26/04/2024
Perkett joins the company following a 25 year career in product management, product marketing, engineering and user experience (UX) across multiple industries
...
26/04/2024
Teradek, the industry leader in wireless video transmitters and receivers, announced today the launch of new Bolt 6 LT 750 and Bolt 6 Monitor Module 750 RX with...
26/04/2024
NEW YORK Amagi has appointed Richard Perkett chief product officer (CPO)....
26/04/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2024 NAB Radio and Television Board of Directors elections. The...
26/04/2024
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & NEW YORK Mattel has announced a deal to launch its first three 24/7 free ad supported streaming (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung...
26/04/2024
PORTLAND, Maine Viewers here can now receive the NextGen TV signals of five local stations with the launch of ATSC 3.0 service from host station WPFO, which is ...
26/04/2024
TORONTO Rogers Communications has signed a 10-year agreement with Comcast to bring the latest Xfinity products and technology to Canadians....
26/04/2024
Calrec is very pleased to announce the benefits of its highly flexible approach to customer service has been recognized with a third award for the Argo range. T...
26/04/2024
New Adobe Photoshop with Advanced Generative Fill and Generate Image Brings New ...
26/04/2024
Trends And Takeaways From NAB Show 2024
Melanie Ciotti April 25, 2024
0 Comments
NAB's Eric Trabb (right) awards SNS with two NAB Show Product of ...
26/04/2024
Sony's Ci Media Cloud Keeps NHRA Moving
Brie Clayton April 25, 2024
0 Comments
Cloud-Based Media Asset Management and Collaboration Platform Accel...
26/04/2024
Capitol Broadcasting & Leadership Triangle Collaborate for Third Year
Capitol B...
26/04/2024
The staff at CBC Radio have been hard at work creating several new features for listeners and viewers. Several debuts are taking place this spring.
I have nev...
26/04/2024
26 Apr 2024
Cricket Finds Its Digital Home in Bangladesh: VEON's Banglalink...
26/04/2024
NBA Playoffs 2024: ESPN Rolls Out Huge Production Operation for Busy First Round Tech deployments include miked on-field personnel, shot-distance tracking, AR g...
26/04/2024
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: ESPN Ops Team Navigates Both Sides of the Border With ...
26/04/2024
Behind the Scenes at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit (Photo Gallery) After just the first round, the 2024 NFL Draft has already made quite an impression in Detroi...
26/04/2024
NFL Draft 2024: Van Wagner Powers Onsite Entertainment Experience for Record Cro...
26/04/2024
Rohde & Schwarz presents spectrum dominance in all domains at AOC Europe Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems and sensor fusi...
26/04/2024
MCine Mauritius is to use Qube Wire for all future DCP deliveries across their e...
26/04/2024
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Has Lehasa killed Khwezi?The Skeem Saam' May teasers mention Lehasa being apologetic about killing someone. Is it his baby mam...
26/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 25 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
26/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Some issues to considerWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's rese...
26/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A line is crossed and a mother starts to lose focusDon't miss Friday, 26 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! o...
Last week, it was off to London for the annual Connected TV World Summit. Now hosted on Bishopsgate in the City, my route to the venue took me on a circuitous route and as I passed Whittington Avenue I wondered if, borrowing slightly from the folklore, the future of the media and entertainment industry was going to be paved with gold? 
