Variety Entertainment Summit at CES: Deep Dives on the Evolution of Streaming, AI, Advertising and More

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Cynthia Littleton Business Editor From AI to webtoons to advertising and distribution innovations, the discussions featured Jan.

8 at the annual Variety Entertainment Summit at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas ran the gamut of hot topics driving the business of media and entertainment.The daylong conference opened with a panel of top programming executives who weighed in on the big shifts in streaming content and the business focus of major networks and platforms.Beatrice Springborn, president of NBCUniversal’s UCP and Universal International Studios, cited “the new normal” of commissioning and production volume following 2023’s actors and writers strikes and the wave of consolidation among media giants.“There is an adjustment from the peak TV era where we’re not making hundreds and hundreds of shows.

There’s more of a focus on what I’d say is Marquee TV,” she said. One welcome development she cited was the fact that networks and platforms are more open to partnerships and creative windowing for shows. “These partners who’ve never partnered before are doing projects together.

And you’re able to see a wider audience and more exposure.”Barry Jossen, president and head of A+E Studios, said the decline in volume has been good for the industry all around. “We’re working at a level right now that’s well-suited to the appetite of the platforms,” he said. ‘There’s always an appetite for [shows that] buyers feel are good.