Future of the Television Industry

On November 18-19, 2008 in New York, DMW is having their annual future of television forum. Register here.

Overview: NBC Chief Executive Jeff Zucker commented in a March 10th New York Times article: "Our challenge with all these [new-media] ventures is to effectively monetize them so that we do not end up trading analog dollars for digital pennies."

The television industry has a problem with digital media and there is no real solution in sight. Online video, while attracting millions of viewers and offering advertisers the ability to target, is bringing in just a tiny fraction of the revenue generated from television and the 30-second spot. The event's attendees and speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the television industry as it forges into the digital future.

Speakers include leading execs from NBC (General Counsel Rick Cotton and Digital President JB Perrette), CBS (Chief Researcher David Poltrack), Fox (Digital Media Head Dan Fawcett), YouTube (Kevin Yen), MTV, Microsoft, Comcast, TiVo, EchoStar, Verizon and others.

What is the future for online video? Is Hulu the right model? What is the effect on YouTube? Should broadcasters be putting all their content online? Are there new Web 2.0 revenue generating solutions that will save the day? What is the future of the 30-second spot? Has the industry figured out how to deal with the impact of digital video recorders (DVRs)? What are the improved methods for targeted advertising? Is branded entertainment for real? What are the challenges facing innovators in attempting to coordinate devices, formats, content and services in the digital home? What is the role of the iPhone and smart phones in general in the future of television?