TV Futurist

Happy New Year, everybody! 💫 2023 was a bit of a transition year for me - being here and there, doing this and that. But now that I’m settled in beautiful Lisboa, I’m finally getting into a routine again. And what better way to have a routine than writing a weekly newsletter, right? 🔍 So what can you expect from the TV Futurist newsletter? * Roundup of the top industry news of the week. * Deep dives into emerging trends and industry insights. * Practical tips and strategies for producers. * Sneak peeks into the next wave of shows and disruptive technologies. * A front-row seat to the evolution of branded entertainment * And much more… If you wanna sign up, here’s the link: https://lnkd.in/dBym-cqu 😊

🔮 5 things you need to know 📸 Netflix’s New "Moments" Feature: Netflix now lets viewers save and share scenes, making social sharing easier and driving more viewers to binge! 💬 Reddit Turns Profitable: With nearly 100 million daily users, Reddit’s first profit milestone highlights its potential for building engaged communities around shows. 📉 Instagram Reduces Quality on Low-Views Videos: Less popular videos now display at lower quality. For better reach, creators may want to shift focus to TikTok and YouTube. 📲 Kids Leave Cable for YouTube: With huge drops in Nickelodeon and Disney viewership, streaming is king for younger audiences. 💰 YouTube Ad Revenue Soars: YouTube’s ad revenue hit $8.92B in Q3. Viewer growth here is a clear opportunity for brands and shows. More info here: https://lnkd.in/dmbKxvW4

🚀 ITV Embraces AI in Content Creation! 🚀 In a move that could redefine TV production, ITV is hiring an AI expert to spark new show ideas and streamline production—offering a hefty £95,000 salary! For #TVproducers, this is both a challenge and an opportunity to blend human creativity with cutting-edge tech. Here’s how AI could reshape the industry: 1️⃣ Enhanced Creativity: AI analyses global trends and audience data, providing a fresh stream of ideas and even de-risking bold concepts. 2️⃣ Targeted Content: With deep insights into viewer behaviour, AI helps tailor content to specific demographics, boosting engagement. 3️⃣ Efficient Production: By automating routine tasks, AI allows teams to focus on the creative core, cutting down production time. As Luci Sanan of 53 Degrees North Media Ltd says, “AI in production is unstoppable and brings incredible opportunities.” 🌟 ITV’s move isn’t just tech—it's the future of storytelling! #AI #TV #Innovation

🌹 Spent most of this weekend judging for the Rose d‘Or Awards. 🌟 The entries for Multiplatform and Audio Entertainment Series are truly impressive once again and show just how innovative this space has become. 🏆 Looking forward to seeing who wins this year!

🚀 Just shared the latest edition of my TV Futurist newsletter! This week’s insights dive into the following topics: 🌊 Netflix now lets fans save and share scenes with its new "Moments" feature, making it easier for viewers to spread content—think how that might drive viral engagement for shows. 🌊 With Reddit reaching 100M+ daily users and finally turning a profit, it’s a compelling space for TV producers to connect with niche, engaged audiences. 🌊 YouTube’s ad revenue surge shows the platform’s staying power—if your content isn’t there, it might be worth reconsidering. 🔎 Plus, a spotlight on ITV’s AI venture to reimagine content creation—this could truly shift how we think about ideation and production in the TV industry. Catch all the insights here 👇

🎉 From an underground YouTube show to a 2024 Emmy nomination, Chicken Shop Date has truly made its mark on pop culture! Amelia Dimoldenberg’s quirky, down-to-earth interviews in fast-food chicken shops capture a blend of humour, genuine conversation, and a unique awkward charm that has audiences hooked. 🔎 In this week’s Weekend Waves Spotlight, I dive into why Chicken Shop Date resonates so deeply with viewers and what TV producers can learn from its success: 1️⃣ Keep it Simple: The show’s bare-bones setup puts authenticity front and centre, reminding producers that raw, relatable content can sometimes outperform high production. 2️⃣ Lean into Internet Culture: The Andrew Garfield episode is a prime example. Their playful banter went viral, turning into memes and Gifs, showing the power of content that’s social media-ready. 3️⃣ Distinct Voice Matters: Amelia’s interviewing style—awkward, deadpan, and refreshingly genuine—sets Chicken Shop Date apart. In today’s saturated media, a unique voice can be the key to standing out. Catch more insights in my latest article, including why this Emmy-nominated series is a valuable case study for entertainment pros!

⚡ GoFundMe is Working to Improve Fundraiser Sharing across Social Media. 💰 The company has identified that Gen Z (18-26-years-old) is significantly more likely to share causes or fundraisers for them on their social media accounts compared to older gens, with half saying they do so at least once a week. And with socials obviously playing such a large role in Gen Z’s charity, the brand is creating features that make the donation process easier. The roll out includes fundraising widgets for streamers (which other brands have, but GoFundMe clearly wants to compete with), user profiles to make it more social, and an integrated donation button on Instagram. The profile and Instagram functions will also improve its use for nonprofits, but for Gen Z, will create a centralised, public way of showing their charity. 🌟 GoFundMe’s new social sharing features emphasize the rising trend of tipping and gifting, signaling to TV producers that integrating donation and gifting mechanics into content can engage Gen Z viewers, who are more likely to support creators and causes directly through social platforms.

🌊 This week in Weekend Waves: Creepy Marketing, Halloween Trends, and the best Chicken Shop Date so far! This week, we dive into the clever marketing of horror hit Smile 2, Netflix’s fashion-forward collab, and kidulting trends reshaping the toy industry. Plus, TV’s latest lessons in fan engagement from Amelia Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date and her flirtatious chat with Andrew Garfield—viral, hilarious, and surprisingly insightful for producers! Catch all of this week’s top media and marketing stories along with my tips for maximising fan connections across formats. 🚀 https://lnkd.in/d6EpcFuT

🚀 5 Things You Need to Know in Entertainment & Content Marketing 🚀 1️⃣ Pharrell Williams Gets the Lego Treatment Pharrell's documentary by Morgan Neville uses Legos to tell his story, embracing creative, playful storytelling. It's a refreshing reminder to think outside the box! 🎨 🌟 Unconventional narratives engage audiences in unexpected ways. 2️⃣ "7 vs. Wild" Gets a Podcast A behind-the-scenes podcast is launching for the cult show, keeping fans hooked between episodes. 🎧 🌟 Spin-off content like podcasts can drive deeper engagement and new revenue for brands. 3️⃣ Netflix Integrates Brands into Paul vs. Tyson Fight Celsius, DraftKings, Meta Quest, and more are presenting sponsors for Netflix's upcoming live boxing event. 🥊 🌟 Strategic brand partnerships boost visibility while enhancing viewer experience. 4️⃣ Netflix Beats Wall Street’s Forecasts Netflix gained 5M+ subscribers this quarter, but analysts predict its password crackdown boost may fade soon. 📊 🌟 Long-term growth will depend on innovative strategies in gaming and advertising. 5️⃣ Noice Turns Streamers into Stakeholders This new platform gamifies streaming, rewarding viewers for predictions. 🎮 🌟 Interactive, gamified experiences increase engagement and foster a loyal fanbase. More on these news here: https://lnkd.in/dm8cMkF5 And the freshest news tomorrow morning in my newsletter 🌊 #EntertainmentMarketing #BrandPartnerships #Streaming #Innovation #AudienceEngagement

🚨 New Article Alert! 🚨 A couple of weeks ago, I shared how Amazon's Wondery is launching a toy line for their podcasts. This got me thinking about IP exploitation and how producers across industries can leverage this strategy. In my latest Weekend Waves Spotlight, I dive into Wondery’s approach to podcasting, which goes beyond audio to include merchandising and live experiences—think branded events, exclusive merchandise, and in-person meetups. Wondery's "Hollywood-style" expansion has transformed podcasts into full-fledged multi-platform experiences, offering valuable lessons for TV producers looking to extend audience engagement and monetise content beyond the screen. Key takeaways for TV producers: 🎟️ Create immersive brand experiences through merchandise and live events 📱 Adopt multi-platform storytelling to keep fans engaged across mediums 💬 Focus on community-building to foster long-term loyalty 💸 Find new ways to monetise fan engagement by offering exclusive experiences If you’re a content creator or TV producer, understanding how Wondery expands its reach is essential to staying competitive in today’s evolving entertainment landscape. For more insights, subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dm8cMkF5 #IPExploitation #Wondery #Podcasting #TVProduction #ContentStrategy #BrandedEntertainment #FanEngagement #MultiplatformStorytelling