Thinking Out Loud

The intersection of technology and entertainment has had a fundamental impact on the evolution of TV, transforming the way audiences consume content and how media companies compete for consumers' time and attention. Host Vicki Lins sits down with guest Jon Giegengack to discuss Hub Entertainment Research findings on consumer awareness, understanding, and perceptions of the top players across the T...

2020 kicked off the streaming decade, but the growth of streaming skyrocketed faster than even those at the front seat initially predicted. Guest Tedd Cittadine, VP, Content Partnerships, Roku Inc. unpacks what this transformational shift in viewing behavior means for content makers looking to connect with engaged audiences on TV streaming. Tedd discussed the growth opportunities that the Roku pla...

Guest Will Pearson details the evolution of podcasts from a medium bound by Q&A formats, into a safe space for creators to develop uncaged storytelling, and where larger brands can harvest IP and reach diverse, untapped audiences. The television industry has certainly taken notice as evidenced by iHeartRadio's partnerships with talent, creatives and media giants like ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia to d...

Guest Kevin Beggs details an “undefined” television landscape that is creating a new breadth of programming. Known for the production of brand-defining shows such as Mad Men, Orange is the New Black and Weeds, Beggs describes an upside to the industry’s disruption. Consolidation and new distribution platforms have rejuvenated traditional programming, creating a world of opportunity for new voices,...

As gaming, viewing and social interaction increasingly become a single experience, there are more opportunities for broadcasters to develop consumer touchpoints using business intelligence to deliver customized viewing experiences and drive monetization, subscriptions and advertising. On this episode of Thinking Out Loud, host Vicki Lins sits down with Miheer Walavalkar, CEO and Co-Founder of Live...

Real game-changers are not necessarily individuals with recurrent “aha” moments, but rather, leaders who effectively make space for new perspectives and solve problems by creating working environments where diverse ideas thrive. In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, host Vicki Lins sits down with Harvard Business School professor Dr. Linda Hill to discuss her research on some of the world’s most s...

Uncertainty is nothing new to the television industry. Yet critical events of 2020 and the resulting protocols could permanently change the way we all TV. In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, host Vicki Lins sits down with Alan Sepinwall, chief TV critic at Rolling Stone to make sense of the trickledown effect of the pandemic on TV production, the impact of TV show “unrenewals” on viewer behavior...

Mathew Ball, Analyst, Venture Capitalist and CEO of Epyllion Industries  explores the waves of competition in media, the stimuli that have changed the industry landscape over time, the strategies that have won the loyalty of consumers and the keys that will win in the future.

Mathew Ball, Analyst, Venture Capitalist and CEO of Epyllion Industries  explores the waves of competition in media, the stimuli that have changed the industry landscape over time, the strategies that have won the loyalty of consumers and the keys that will win in the future.

On this episode, Tom Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Pluto TV opens up on the relationship with ViacomCBS and why PlutoTV's unique position among competitors has made it a value add for both streamers and traditional TV viewers. 

Networks and content creators have wrestled with shifting viewer trends and bloated content offerings for decades. Disruptors to short and long term planning like new social networks and the onset of the pandemic have only accelerated the need for sound strategies that include not only drawing people in to linear offerings but expanding out to find viewers where they already are. On this episode o...

As the world continues to adjust to the impact of COVID-19 and social distancing, the time at home and subsequent increase in the use of mobile, digital and social platforms offer marketers more touch-points to reach young Millennials and Gen Z audiences. In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, host Vicki Lins sits down with Mark McIntire, Head of Marketing at Fuse Media, Inc. for a fascinating conv...

In this special edition of Thinking Out Loud, Vick Lins flips the script and has a host-to-host conversation with Tracy Swedlow, editor in chief of Interactive TV Today and host of Televisionation. Vicki and Tracy discuss the impact of COVID-19, how its changed consumer behavior and the various ways the TV industry has proved to be particularly nimble as the nation practices social distancing. 

Consumers are compelled by socially conscious documentary programming like never before. BBC America’s Seven Worlds, One Planet reached new heights when AMC Networks premiered it across BBCA, AMC, IFC and SundanceTV. Guest Jonny Keeling, Executive Producer of Seven Worlds, One Planet talks about its appeal, his decades of experience developing documentary films and how advancements in technology h...

As content choices increasingly flood the landscape, Spectrum Originals places a few bets on bringing a new type of value proposition to fickle viewers. On this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Host, Vicki Lins sits down with Katherine Pope, Head of Spectrum Originals to explore the strategy for building customer value through a robust library of premium content in an ad-free, VOD portal. Quality, ex...

In the dynamic world of television, the ability for brands to balance between relevancy and integrity within the framework of creating compelling, captivating and entertaining content can be challenging. In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Vicki Lins sits down with Courteney Monroe, President of National Geographic Global Television Networks to discuss how National Geographic continues to satisf...

Dan Cesareo, founder of Big Fish Entertainment has created a myriad of successful unscripted programs, most notably with Live PD. Live PD’s hit a high of 2.4 million live viewers garnering A&E the lead among adults 25-to-54 demographic. Continuing to feed the consumer's appetite for unscripted programming, A&E and Big Fish Entertainment are set to launch a new competition series that promises to a...

Guest Brett Weitz, general manager of TBS, TNT & truTV oversees the creative development for these now WarnerMedia networks. In this episode, he discusses taking risks to give audiences unexpected and exceptional programming, the importance of fostering the creative process, his strategy for rising above the crowded landscape and the necessity of creating multiple and unique touchpoints for consum...

From the emergence of the 24-hour news cycle to the Internet boom and rapid rise of digital media, C-SPAN has held true to its reputation of providing an unfiltered view of Washington and politics. Founded as a public service and funded by cable television, C-SPAN has kept to its mission and maintained its uniqueness and integrity by providing 40 years of impartial, unfiltered coverage of the work...

Technology advancements are transforming our connected lifestyles and are a vital part of today’s consumer experiences. Learn the latest trends in technology and how it can shape and influence a marketers go-to-market strategy.

The Rise in Consumer Consciousness: Some could say it’s the golden age of documentaries. Hits like Surviving R. Kelly are resonating with viewers. In this conversation, Vicki Lins and Surviving R. Kelly Executive Producers Joel Karsberg & Jesse Daniels explore why viewers are gravitating to docu-series and the future of documentary programming.

Ending his two-year tenure as President of Television Critics Association (TCA), Dan discusses the unique opportunity the TCA Tour provides and why it’s so important to the industry. In typical Dan style, we also review the highs and lows of a transforming industry.

Consumers want a seamless TV viewing experience, and that includes advertising. As the TV industry evolves, brands, programmers, and operators are becoming increasingly thoughtful in how they're positioned within the consumer’s viewing experience. New technology is making it possible to deliver a seamless, personalized, and measurable ad experience across screens. In this episode, find out how Goo...

Margaret Dean is the Head of Studio for Crunchyroll, the world's most popular anime brand with over 50 million registered users, 2 million subscribers, and more than 30 million followers across social. In this conversation, host Vicki Lins and Dean discuss anime’s potential in North America, providing more opportunities for women in animation and how the new studio will bolster both missions and m...

Visionary, cable pioneer and founder of Curiosity Stream, John Hendricks takes listeners on an incredible journey through television's migration from linear to cable and onto streaming services. He shares his vision for the next decade and what the changing consumer will expect.