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OTT QUESTION TIME LIVE 2025
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28th & 29th January 2025
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08:30 – 09:10
Embracing Future Audiences
BREAKFAST PANEL
How is our industry attracting new, younger audiences when we’re already competing with platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and gaming? To capture their attention, we need to understand where they spend their time, what engages them, and how TV and video can fit into their daily habits.
This session, featuring Lucy Bristowe, CEO UK & Western Europe, Kantar Media, Chris Kleinschmidt, VP Connected TV Ad Sales, TiVo, Matt Duhig, co-founder & MD FX Digital, Doug Whelpdale, Head of Insight, Barb Audiences, and Lydia Fairfax, founder & MD, Triple Crown Consulting, will explore actionable strategies for bridging the gap. From designing more social and interactive experiences to creating content that competes with the immediacy of short-form platforms, the panel will examine user behaviours and offer insights into reimagining TV and video for a generation with evolving expectations.
Talking Points:
- Platform Ecosystem: where are younger audiences spending their time, and how do platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and gaming influence their expectations for media experiences?
- Attention Habits: what role does TV and video play in their daily routines, and how does it compete with interactive and short-form content?
- Content Relevance: what types of programming and storytelling can cut through and bring younger viewers back to TV and streaming services?
- Social and Interactive Design: how can gamification, community-building, and real-time engagement make video services more dynamic?
- Data Insights: using behavioural data to craft better recommendations, anticipate trends, and increase loyalty among younger audiences
09:10 – 09:35
Making TV Ads Smarter
FIRESIDE CHAT
Justin Gupta, Head of Broadcast & Video Ads, EMEA at Google, brings a wealth of experience from the media and technology sectors.
With a nod to his work at the BBC on Interactive TV and his roles at Google Video and YouTube, Gupta sets the stage for a discussion on the innovations shaping today’s advertising landscape.
In this session, he spotlights his recent work on Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) for OTT platforms, including high-profile projects with TF1, BT Sport, and DAZN. He’ll also explore how advancements in ad substitution for HbbTV and Android TV are paving the way to digitally enable the next 100 million televisions.
Looking to the future, Gupta addresses key industry challenges and collaborative solutions, such as the European Programmatic TV Initiative. He’ll also share his thoughts on emerging trends like “self-driving ads,” where automation and real-time adaptability could revolutionize the way ads connect with audiences.
09:35-10:00
Streaming 2025: Satisfying Viewer Expectations
FIRESIDE CHAT
When it comes to streaming, how do we truly know what customers want? Surveys, focus groups, and app reviews provide some insight but ultimately, OTT service providers — and the vendors who support them – have to make bold decisions in presenting their products, curating content, and delivering exceptional viewing experiences, all while ensuring sustainable revenue.
In this session, two industry veterans, Orf Warr, CTO of Everyone TV, and Jonas Engwall, CEO of Bedrock, explore the challenges of meeting ever-evolving viewer expectations. They’ll discuss:
- How audience viewing behaviour is changing and a look at the different iterations and evolving of streaming propositions
- The evolution of streaming and the increase in content available to audiences
- What clients are asking for in 2025 vs. What audiences are asking for in 2025 – e.g. different features
- How international challenges mirror those in the UK. The State of the UK vs EU market, how they are growing and evolving in a similar way
The equally venerable Dave Cameron, former Chief Product Officer at Channel 4, facilitates the conversation.
10:00-10:25
Bango & Liberty Global: The Future of Subscription Bundling
FIRESIDE CHAT
Bango co-founder and CMO, Anil Malhotra, hosts Chris Van Der Linden, Director Entertainment Platforms, Liberty Global International, to explore how telcos are reshaping the subscription economy.
Moderated by Juan Villegas, Senior Video and Advertising Analyst, Omdia, this session highlights why indirect channels are set to dominate in 2025, giving OTT and subscription providers unmatched reach, retention, and growth through bundling.
Innovative solutions and telco-led Super Bundling strategies are driving customer loyalty, reducing churn, and redefining the future of subscription services. This is your chance to gain exclusive insights into the role telcos play in the evolving subscription landscape.
10:25 Coffee & Networking |
10:55-11:35
The OTT Landscape in France
PANEL
France’s video market stands out, shaped by its unwavering support for the French creative community, a distinctive regulatory framework, and a strong preference for subtitled and dubbed content in French.
Platforms like Netflix and Disney+ are required by French law to reinvest 20–25% of their domestic revenue into French and European content. Combined with strict theatrical windowing rules, these measures have cultivated a thriving content ecosystem where local and global players are compelled to go above and beyond to captivate French audiences.
Who has mastered the art of navigating this complex market while reaching millions of viewers daily?
Broadcasters.
Local media giants, deeply rooted in French culture, are evolving beyond traditional TV channel extensions to become fully-fledged entertainment hubs, competing head-on with global streaming platforms.
In this session, we’ll explore key lessons from France’s dynamic video landscape together with Tiphaine de Raguenel, Strategy Director of France Televisions, Pascal Thuet, Head of IT & Digital Project Development at Arte, Florent Rodzko, Head of Strategy & Performance at TF1 Group, and Jenn Batty, Head of Content Acquisitions EMEA at Samsung TVPlus. The indomitable Marion Ranchet moderates.
11:35-12:00
The New Wave of Free Streaming Television: Trends & Opportunities
FIRESIDE CHAT
Join Olivier Jollet, EVP and International GM of Pluto TV, along with Marion Ranchet, Founder and MD of Streaming Made Easy, as they explore the evolution of free streaming television.
In this session, they delve into the state of the industry, emerging trends and opportunities for 2025, highlighting the latest advancements and strategies shaping the sector.
You can look forward to insights on the challenges and innovations ahead from Pluto TV, a pioneer in the free streaming television space. Launched 10 years ago during the age of paid subscription services’ dominance, Pluto TV has grown into a global leader in FAST and is now available in 35 markets across 4 continents.
12:00-12:45
Shoppable TV
PANEL
Shoppable TV is redefining the streaming experience, blending entertainment with commerce to drive direct viewer engagement and revenue.
Featuring insights from Jay Rajdev, Controller of Advanced Advertising at ITV, Mike Shaw, Director International Ad Sales at Roku, Tom Smith, co-founder and Creative Director at FX Digital, and Joe Ward, CEO of EDGE Video AI, this panel explores how streaming platforms and content creators are transforming passive viewing into interactive, revenue-generating moments.
From integrating seamless purchasing into smart TVs to leveraging AI for personalised recommendations, we’ll uncover what’s working, what’s next, and the challenges of redefining the connection between audiences, brands, and streaming platforms.
Ben Keen asks the questions.
12:45 Lunch |
13:25-13:45
The OTT Jobs Market: Perspectives on Hiring & Being Hired
*BONUS FIRESIDE CHAT*
This bonus session between Chris Redmond, CEO of OTTRed and Lydia Fairfax, founder & MD of Triple Crown Consulting, explores the OTT jobs market from two key perspectives:
- The Candidate’s Perspective – how to position oneself for success, build professional equity, and navigate the hiring process effectively.
- The Employer’s Perspective – the challenges of identifying and securing the right talent in a fast-evolving industry.
The pair will also address the risks associated with traditional hiring practices and propose modern approaches that benefit both sides of the equation.
Key points they’ll cover:
- Defining Value as a Candidate: candidates often struggle to articulate their unique value. They’ll discuss how they can evaluate their skills, experience, and personal brand to define their value proposition clearly and confidently.
- The Role of LinkedIn Over Traditional Tools: in today’s digital landscape, a robust LinkedIn profile is often more influential than a CV or cover letter. Chris will talk about how candidates can optimise their LinkedIn presence to stand out in a competitive field.
- Mindset for Success: job seekers need both emotional resilience and objectivity to stay motivated and efficient. They’ll explore strategies to manage the emotional highs and lows of job searching while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
- “Productising” Yourself: candidates should treat their careers as products to develop, package, and market. Chris outlines a step-by-step process for candidates to position themselves as compelling, market-ready “products” before launching their job search.
- Job Farming vs. Job Hunting: most people only think about job searching when they need a role, which can leave them unprepared. Chris will discuss the concept of “job farming”—the proactive cultivation of professional relationships and presence to build equity over time, allowing individuals to leverage opportunities when they arise, rather than scrambling in a time of need.
For Employers:
Finally, they’ll shift focus to hiring managers and explore:
- The challenges they face in identifying top talent in a competitive market.
- How outdated hiring practices can lead to missed opportunities.
- Innovative approaches to attract and retain the right candidates.
13:45-14:10
The Relaunch of Channel 5 & its OTT Service
FIRESIDE CHAT
In March Channel 5 and its VOD service, My5, will relaunch under a unified brand of 5 in a move which will position streaming at the heart of the broadcaster’s offering and build on the success of My5 which continues to outpace its PSB competitors’ growth.
Kiaran Saunders, VP Distribution, FTA & Pay TV, Paramount UK, will join Kauser Kanji, MD of VOD Professional and host of OTT Question Time Live, to discuss the market insights underpinning the relaunch, as well as the opportunities that 5 will open for viewers, advertisers and content partners.
14:10-14:50
The Economics of Free Streaming
PANEL
AVOD is no longer a side hustle for streamers — it’s a core driver of revenue and strategy.
With BBC Studios, Yospace, Channel 4, and Amagi on stage, this session dives deep into the dynamics of ad-supported streaming.
What’s behind the sustained growth of AVOD, and how are monetisation models evolving? Is this a cyclical rebound from SVOD saturation, or are we seeing a return to the tried-and-tested Broadcast 1.0 model where ads funded everything?
Expect sharp insights into the trends shaping AVOD’s future, the opportunities for innovation, and the strategic shifts every player needs to know.
In this session:
- Kasia Jablonska, Director of Digital and On-Demand EMEA
- Leena Patel, Senior Distribution & Partnerships Lead
- Tim Sewell, CEO, Yospace
- Sri Hari T, SVP Sales EMEA, Amagi
- Marion Ranchet (moderator), Founder & MD, Streaming Made Easy
14:50-15:15
The Power of “New-stalgia”
FIRESIDE CHAT
With the advent of streaming, consumers today have unprecedented access to films and television series of yesteryear. Discoverability and accessibility have not only further extended the life cycle of nostalgic content, but tipped the scales of what is considered “new.”
Join Tubi’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director of International, David Salmon, and Gabriel Cosgrave from TiVo in a discussion about the power of “new-stalgia” for streamers and content distributors.
15:15 Coffee & Networking |
15:45-16:10
Evolving a Strategic Approach to Partnerships in Streaming
FIRESIDE CHAT
What makes for a successful partnership strategy in streaming? Is it simply a matter of expedience — pairing streamers with like-minded partners — or is there a more thoughtful approach that considers factors like brand alignment, consumer identities, and audience need states?
In this session, Kerry Ball, Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer at BritBox International, and Kauser Kanji, MD of VOD Professional and host of OTT Question Time Live, will explore the evolving landscape of partnership strategies in the streaming industry.
They’ll be talking about:
- How to create considered partner ecosystems to support an OTT service
- Navigating the complexities of building these networks
- The diverse roles bundling can play (e.g., Entertainment & Lifestyle, Family, Utility bundles)
- How evolving pay models have a bearing on bundling strategies
- And the role of content and content types in choosing effective partners
16:10-16:50
The Big Consolidation
PANEL
With first-hand experience running major streaming platforms, our all-star panel of Jonas Engwall, CEO of Bedrock, Victoria Davies, MD & Consultant at Accelerate Consulting, Simon Danker, founder of Glandore Media, and Lydia Fairfax, founder & MD of Triple Crown Consulting, brings unparalleled insight into the forces reshaping the OTT landscape.
Consolidation is no longer a possibility—it’s a reality. This session explores:
- How broadcasters and streamers are finding ways to work together (e.g. co-producing content)
- The drivers behind working together (economic pressures, audience fragmentation, the pursuit of scale and efficiency)
- And what consolidation means for content creators, platform operators, and consumers.
Kauser Kanji of VOD Professional and OTT Question Time Live hosts.
16:50-17:15
Sora & The Potential of Generative Video AI Technology
PRESENTATION
Maureen Kerr introduces Chad Nelson, Creative Specialist at OpenAI, who ends Day 1 of OTT Question Time Live 2025 with an exclusive Sora keynote demonstrating the potential of the text-to-video AI technology and how it can be harnessed to supercharge creativity, allowing producers to work more effectively.
17:15-18:15 Networking Drinks |
08:30 – 09:10
AI Steering Committee
BREAKFAST PANEL
Whether we like it or not, AI is revolutionising streaming, transforming how content is created, distributed, and experienced.
This panel brings together a diverse group of experts — including filmmaker Ben Field, M&E lawyer Kelsey Farish, Head of Streaming Editorial at Channel 4, Alex Wall and Suzanne Kirkland, Head of Sales and Business Development at AudioShake to explore the AI tools shaping the industry.
What solutions offer the most value today? How can AI drive innovation while protecting creativity and rights? And what ethical and strategic challenges must be addressed to fully harness its potential?
Join moderator Maureen Kerr, Partner at Arthur D Little, for a candid discussion on the practical realities and future possibilities of AI in our industry.
09:10 – 09:35
Warner Bros Discovery: Streaming Challenges & Opportunities
FIRESIDE CHAT
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, combining scaled platforms and local presence in more than 200 countries, with a customer base comprising over 100 million direct-to-consumer subscribers.
This year, WBD will continue to accelerate its rollout strategy for Max, its enhanced streaming service which combines the greatest variety of entertainment, news and sports content, to expand into new markets ahead of launching in the UK, Italy and Germany from 2026.
In this session, Dave Gibbs, SVP Sports Product at Warner Bros Discovery, talks to Robin Boldon, Head of Product at Friend MTS, about the challenges and opportunities in the global sports streaming market.
They’ll discuss:
- Operating a multi-market sports streaming platform at scale
- Developing a differentiated live sports experience for fans
- Monetising platforms and growing subscribers
- Learnings from a record-breaking Olympic Games Paris 2024
09:35-10:00
The Convergence of Streaming & Social with Channel 4 and Google Ad Manager
FIRESIDE CHAT
Liz Ferguson (Google) and Joe Harbinson (Channel 4’s Distribution and Partnerships Senior Lead) discuss the intersection of streaming and social media, focusing on Channel 4’s successful YouTube partnership.
They explore how the broadcaster used YouTube to live stream the Paralympics and election coverage, the different ways Channel 4 uses social platforms to engage new audiences, and the evolving metrics for success that are emerging from these platform partnerships.
10:00-10:25
NOW Streaming Success & What Makes Good TV!
FIRESIDE CHAT
Carli Kerr, Managing Director of NOW & Sky Content, talks to ex-BBC journalist Peter Nunn about a record-breaking year for Sky & NOW and the formula behind talkable TV.
10:25 Coffee & Networking |
10:55-11:35
The New TV Gatekeepers
PANEL
Search, aggregation, and user experience platforms are now the pivotal gatekeepers of the streaming ecosystem, shaping how audiences discover and consume content.
Our expert panellists, Fahad Durrani, Head of Content, Product Discovery & Monetisation at Google TV, Gabriel Cosgrave, GM EMEA & SVP Global Sales at TiVo, Hilary Goldsmith, Chief Customer Officer at Nexxen, and Rose Hulse, CEO at ScreenHits TV, delve into the evolving influence of these platforms on content discovery, competition, and regulation.
Key topics include the role of AI-driven recommendations in navigating audience fragmentation and strategies for content providers to achieve visibility in a crowded landscape.
The panel will also examine the growing data potential for gatekeepers, exploring future-facing monetisation opportunities such as CTV display advertising, first-party data, and ACR data, and how these innovations are reshaping the business model for streaming.
As new OS manufacturers and app ecosystems rise in prominence, the conversation will address how power dynamics are shifting among gatekeepers and what this means for the future of TV.
Ben Keen guides the discussion.
11:35-12:00
Hendrik McDermott, MD, Hayu, EMEA Networks & International DTC, NBCUniversal
FIRESIDE CHAT
Single Genre SVOD. Specialty service. Mass market niche. Specialist OTT. Whatever term you use, there’s something very sticky about a well-defined, concentrated VOD offering when it comes to attracting and keeping subscribers. And, because these offerings target loyal super-fans – who want more of the type of content they really love – they are complementary in nature to broad, general entertainment services. It’s not an either or – which is exciting for consumers and an opportunity for operators.
As Hayu approaches its ninth birthday – having grown from 3 to 45 markets – Hendrik McDermott, MD, Hayu, EMEA Networks & International Direct-To-Consumer, NBCUniversal talks to Kauser Kanji, host of OTT Question Time Live, about the growth trajectory of this single genre, all-reality SVOD service.
12:00-12:45
Specialist OTT Services
PANEL
What can mainstream streamers learn from niche platforms that tap into identity, loyalty, and passion?
Featuring insights from Emma Keith, MD Digital at The National Theatre, Ed Humphrey, CEO, Marquee TV, Yannick Ferrero, SVP Digital / AVOD Distribution, Hasbro Entertainment, Gerry O’Sullivan, (former) Director, Digital Product Development, FIFA, aided and abetted by Linette Zaulich, Director Unscripted at ZDF Studios, this panel examines how specialist OTT services build deeper connections with their audiences.
Whether it’s National Theatre at Home subscribers viewing their membership as patronage or football fans subscribing to follow their team rather than a platform, these services foster identities and emotional ties that mainstream platforms rarely achieve.
Join us to explore how mainstream streamers can adopt these strategies to cultivate stronger audience loyalty and create brands people connect with, not just consume.
12:45 Lunch |
13:45-14:10
Japan Anime: it’s Real and it’s Spectacular!
FIRESIDE CHAT
Anime is one of the biggest growth areas in OTT, says Larry Mahl, President of Japan Digital Entertainment.
Japan media franchises, manga, games and anime are the most significant sources of popular IP outside of English language film and TV. Think Pokemon, One Piece, Mario, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Gundam, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Transformers, Sonic, Alice in Borderland. Loyal, passionate fans, broadening audiences who watch a lot and buy a lot. Deep universes that speak to people across borders, languages and cultures.
Let’s peek into the anime portion of that universe. What’s popular. Why it’s popular. Where it comes from. Who’s making it. Who’s distributing it. And who’s watching it. With various data on Anime in Europe from Ampere Analysis, the conversation is in a compact 25 minutes.
You may not be coming for anime, but anime may be coming for you!
14:10-14:35
FAFO – ITV Adlabs. ITV’s Approach to Ad Innovation in the Streaming Era
FIRESIDE CHAT
Experiments, prototypes, pilots, happy accidents; From Dynamic Weather targeting to KERCHING via the UK’s largest off-platform Retail Media proposition, in the last 3 years ITV has pioneered a path for broadcaster innovation in advertising.
ITV’s director of Advanced Advertising, Rhys McLachlan, talks to Marion Ranchet and lifts the lid on their process, the pitfalls, mistakes, successes and what his team are lining up for 2025.
14:35-15:15
Streaming Wars Update
PANEL
At last year’s show, Ben Keen boldly declared Netflix the winner of the Streaming Wars. But a year on, with YouTube’s dominance in ad revenue, creator content, and global reach, many are questioning if Netflix’s crown is secure — or if YouTube is poised to emerge victorious.
This panel, featuring Joe Harbinson, Distribution and Partnerships Senior Lead at Channel 4, Matt Westrup, CTO of Hearst Networks EMEA, independent consultant Jo Redfern, Pranab Kapadia, founder and director at Moviegoers International and host, Kauser Kanji of VOD Professional, takes a closer look at the battle between the giants, while also considering the roles of Disney, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and others in shaping the streaming landscape.
Who’s winning, who’s adapting, and what does the future of this rivalry mean for the industry?
15:15 Coffee & Networking |
15:45-16:10
Jane Stiller, Chief Viewer Officer, ITV, on The Journey of ITVX
FIRESIDE CHAT
Since its launch in December 2022, ITVX has experienced a 35% increase in viewer hours, surpassing other major streaming platforms in the UK, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Channel 4, and Amazon Prime. In June 2024, ITVX set a new monthly record with 375.8 million streams, marking a 54% year-on-year increase. And the service now offers over 21,000 free-to-view hours of programming and films, a substantial increase from the 4,000 hours available on ITV Hub at the beginning of 2022.
In this session, Jane Stiller, ITV’s Chief Viewer Officer, talks to Renato Bonomini of ContentWise about ITVX and reflects on the journey so far and what the broadcaster has learned along the way.
16:10-16:50
All Things Content
PANEL
Liz Bales, CEO of BASE (the British Association of Screen Entertainment) is joined by an all-star panel of Tushar Jindal, Amazon Prime Video’s Head of Content UK & Ireland, Katheryn Needham, MD of STUDIOCANAL UK, Tim Richards, CEO of Vue Entertainment, and Ewa Voigt, Director of Digital Distribution & International Licensees at Warner Bros Discovery, to talk about OTT content.
They’ll discuss:
- The current state of content production in the UK / Europe
- How much new content is now being made, especially for streamers, and what the outlook might be in the next 12-24 months.
- Consumers’ understanding of the chronology of pay windows.
- The value of content
- And content as a revenue centre for broadcasters / streamers who then sell / licence to others.
16:50-17:15
BBC iPlayer: Adapting for Audiences of the Future
FIRESIDE CHAT
We started OTT Question Time Live 2025 with a discussion about future audiences and, neatly, we end with one now too with our final keynote from Kerensa Samanidis, GM of BBC iPlayer.
In conversation with Ben Keen, Samanidis tells us that within an increasingly competitive and evolving digital environment, the BBC must ensure it continues to meet the needs and expectations of all British audiences.
For BBC iPlayer, this involves ensuring retention of core audiences whilst understanding and adapting to the needs of new audiences. The challenges and opportunities this presents will be discussed in this conversation along with examples of how the BBC proposes to tackle them.
17:15-17:20 Close of OTTQTL25 |
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