The panel at the Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit explored how media and entertainment companies are adapting amidst rapid changes in Hollywood and the rise of AI. Key insights were shared by industry leaders including Clancy Collins White from Warner Bros., Simran Sethi from Disney, and Liz Jenkins from NBCUniversal.
Industry Changes and Strategies:
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Sustainable Economics: Jenkins noted how the TV industry faced unsustainable economics during the “peak TV” phenomenon, leading NBCUniversal to refine its focus on priority audiences and improve viewer engagement across platforms like Peacock and Bravo.
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Distinct Audience Segments: Sethi emphasized that streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+ attract different audiences than traditional TV, allowing for overall growth rather than cannibalization of viewership.
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Weekly Episode Releases: Panelists discussed a return to weekly episode releases, which enhance the collective viewing experience and societal connections. WBTV’s Collins White highlighted positive audience responses to this approach with their series “The Pitt.”
Insights on AI and Content Creation:
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AI Concerns: Prakash expressed concerns that AI could disrupt lower-production content, yet emphasized that certain original works, like Blumhouse’s horror films, are distinctly human creations that wouldn’t emerge from AI.
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YouTube’s Role: He advocated for Hollywood to better serve audiences on YouTube, highlighting its dominance in the filmed entertainment space.
Audience Engagement:
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Anime Trends: Purini from Crunchyroll shared insights on the global growth of anime, indicating audiences are drawn to relatable characters and unique storytelling that diverges from mainstream narratives.
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Quality Over Quantity: Jenkins pointed out the importance of focusing on exceptional storytelling rather than just producing vast amounts of content.
Industry Shift:
- Collins White noted diminishing lines between streaming and linear TV content, emphasizing a need for flexibility in content distribution to effectively reach diverse audiences.
The event was moderated by Michael Schneider, Variety‘s executive editor for TV, showcasing a thoughtful dialogue on navigating a transformative media landscape.
