The Content Show | Broadcast Industry Event | NYC Television Week | nyctelevisionweek.com
1. The Content
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Conference Session
Meet The Experts
In Conversation With
Executive Producer: Alison Green
The Content Show is a dedicated conference and marketplace that will cover all aspects of
programming, development and distribution for scripted, live, news, sports, documentary, and
nonfiction entertainment, as well as branded content.
Beyond the conference sessions, The Content Show will also feature a networking lounge and a
series of highly interactive presentation rooms where production companies can pitch their content
and programming initiatives to buyers and programmers in a unique, organic setting unlike any
other conference. The Content Show is a must-attend event for leaders, senior executives, and
programming creators from cable and digital networks, broadcasters, production companies,
producers, social media outlets, publishers, news, sports franchises, advertising agencies, and
brands.
Featuring In Conversation With: A creative dialogue hosted by senior Programming and
Development executives from top networks and production companies in breakout sessions.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE KEYNOTE AND GUEST PRESENTERS FOR THE CONTENT SHOW.
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (subject to change)
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
(Room locations are in parentheses.)
7:30 am – 9:00 am—Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:45 am – 5:30 pm—Networking: The Content Show Delegates Lounge
9:00 am – 9:05 am—Welcome: Steve Palm, CEO, NewBay Media
EVENT INFO SCHEDULE SPONSORS SUITES/EXHIBITORS TRAVEL CONTACT US
2. 9:00 am – 9:20 am—Opening Remarks: Cynthia Lopez, Commissioner, New York City Mayor’s
Office of Media and Entertainment (Fitzgerald)
9:20 am – 9:45 am—Opening Keynote: Josh Sapan, President and CEO, AMC Networks Inc.
(Fitzgerald)
Moderator: Mark Robichaux, Editor-in-Chief, Multichannel News (Fitzgerald)
9:35 am -10:05 am—In Conversation With Group M (Wharton): Adam Pincus, EVP
Programming & Production, Group M Entertainment
9:45 am – 10:30 am—Building Your Core Brand (Fitzgerald)
A network brand no longer merely identifies the channel and where to find it on your guide. It’s come
to define the programming, level of quality and viewer experience that audiences look to that
network to provide. But even beyond that, a strong network brand defines their viewers’ lifestyle,
tastes and philosophy as well as giving birth to a multitude of new product lines and franchises. In
this session, a seasoned group of network chiefs share their strategies for defining, building and
invigorating their network’s core brand.
Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Channels U.S.
Dawn Ostroff, President, Conde Nast Entertainment (CNE)
Henry Schleiff, Group President, Discovery Networks
Moderator: Melissa Grego, Editor-in-Chief, Broadcasting & Cable
10:00 am – 10:30 am—In Conversation With NUVOtv and Fuse (Wharton): Bill Hilary, President,
NUVOtv and Fuse; Lynnette Ramirez, SVP, Programming, NUVOtv
10:00 am – 10:30 am—In Conversation With Food Network and Cooking Channel (Gillespie):
Todd Weiser, VP, Programming and Development—Food Network and Cooking Channel, Scripps
Networks Interactive
10:30 am – 10:45 am—Networking Break
10:45 am - 11:30 am—The New Power Dynamic (Fitzgerald)
Industry leaders from digital and premium networks deliberate how the emergence of deep-
pocketed, cash-rich, alternative distribution platforms and MCNs in the competitive landscape
are affecting their programming strategy, funding choices and viewership trends, particularly in
scripted programming. Does the biggest spender win? Or is change being driven predominantly by
GenXers, Millennials and the digital generation? If so, where does this leave linear TV?
Rob Barnett, Founder/CEO, Omnivision Entertainment & My Damn Channel
Colin Decker, Group Operating Officer, Discover Digital Networks
Kathleen Grace, Chief Creative Officer, New Form Digital
Katherine Lewis, SVP Strategy & Operations, Fremantle Media Digital & Branded Entertainment
Moderator: David Bank, Managing Director, Equity Research, RBC Capital Markets
10:45 am - 11:30 am—Meet the Experts Roundtable: Agents (Rockwell)
Steve DeVall, Agent, N.S. Bienstock, Inc.
Shade Grant, Agent, International Television and Media, ICM Partners
Mark Turner, Vice President, Abrams Artists Agency – Alternative Programming Division
Moderator: Myles Hazelton, President, Myles Entertainment
10:45 am – 11:15 am—In Conversation With National Geographic Channel (Wharton): Heather Moran, EVP, Programming and Strategy,
National Geographic Channel U.S.
10:45 am – 11:15 am—In Conversation With H2 and HISTORY (Gillespie): Mike Stiller, VP, Development and Programming, H2 and HISTORY;
Matt Ginsburg, VP, Development and Programming, HISTORY
3. 11:20 am – 11:50 am—In Conversation With Leftfield Pictures (Wharton): David George, President, Leftfield Pictures
11:20 am – 11:50 am—In Conversation With Discovery Digital Networks (Gillespie): Tom Lofthouse, SVP Programming, Discovery Digital
Networks
11:30 am – 12:15 pm—Meet The Experts – Audio Network US (Rockwell)
Ricki Askin, Head of Music Licensing, VICE Media
John Sands, Music Director, IMG Media
Mason Rather, independent composer who composed the theme for the new Nick Jr. show Blaze And The Monster Machines, and whose
composer and producer credits include Sesame Street, Blue’s Clues, and many more
Matt McMullian, Sr. Acct. Manager, Film, Audio Network
Moderator: Eric Morse, Head of Marketing, Audio Network
11:30 am - 12:15 pm—The Changing Face of News, Sports and Weather (Fitzgerald)
This session brings together leaders from top news, sports and weather networks to share their strategies for revitalizing and shaking up the status
quo of traditional newscasts, weather reports and game highlights. Docu-soaps, features, miniseries, game shows, talk shows – nothing’s off limits
to appeal to viewers’ changing appetites.
Steve Capus, Executive Producer, “CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley” and Executive Editor, CBS News
David Clark, President, The Weather Channel Network, The Weather Company
Charlie Ebersol, Founder, The Company
Libby Geist, Senior Director of Development, ESPN Films
Moderator: Dade Hayes, Executive Editor, Broadcasting & Cable
11:55 am – 12:25 pm—In Conversation With Esquire Network (Wharton): Matt Hanna, Head of Original Programming, Esquire Network
11:55 am – 12:25 pm—In Conversation With Music Choice (Gillespie): Damon Williams, VP Programming, Music Choice
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm—Networking Lunch
2:00 pm -2:45 pm—We’re All Naked, Now What? (Astor)
We’ve dated naked, had sex in a box and married at first sight. What’s next to shock and titillate reality audiences? It is sometimes said, amid ratings
volatility, that reality may be dead, though it is also said that rumors of the category’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Still, the challenge
remains: how do we breathe new life into tired formats and stale docusoaps? With scripted TV enjoying a Golden Age and raising viewer
expectations and entertainment value to all-time highs, must non-fiction TV be relegated to a lower echelon? Or is it gearing up for a budget-friendly
resurgence when the rivers of money needed to develop and produce hour-long dramas and miniseries begin to run dry? Hear from reality
visionaries who were integral to the creation of the non-fiction boom about what’s on the horizon.
Morgan Hertzan, VP, Executive in Charge at Lincoln Square Studios, Disney-ABC Television Group
Jay Peterson, Founder & CEO, Matador
Lara Spotts, SVP Development, Bravo
Shelly Tatro, SVP, Development & Programming, Nonfiction, Alternative & Reality, A&E Network
Lori York, Partner, ICM Partners
Moderator: Eli Lehrer, SVP of Non-Fiction Programming, Lifetime
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm—Lifestyle Programming Roundtable (Rockwell)
Katie Buchanan, SVP, Programming Strategy & Acquisitions, CMT
Matt Hanna, Head of Original Programming, Esquire Network
Steven Lerner, SVP Programming, HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country
Nick Rigg, President, Loud TV
Michael Smith, General Manager, Cooking Channel
Moderator: Michael Hirschorn, CEO, Ish Entertainment
2:05 pm – 2:35 pm—In Conversation With Atlas Media (Wharton): Glen Freyer, SVP Development
2:05 pm – 2:35 pm—In Conversation With Revolt TV (Gillespie): Val Boreland, EVP, Head of Programming & Production, Revolt TV
2:35 pm - 3:05 pm—In Conversation With The Weather Channel (Wharton): Mary Ellen Iwata, VP, Original Content Development, The Weather
4. Channel; Neil Katz, Editor-in-Chief and VP of Content, The Weather Company
2:45 pm - 3:30 pm—Must-See Event TV (Astor)
From tightrope walks and musical theatre to Lady Gaga and skydivers in outer space, networks have developed a range of spectacles aimed at
luring viewers back to their TV screens in real time. While cord cutters revel in the joys of seemingly limitless on-demand selections, what strategies
are programmers deploying to amass the tens of millions of simultaneous viewers that give advertisers bang for the buck? Outside of live mainstays
such as sports, awards shows and a handful of competition shows that consistently deliver, what’s working in can’t-miss TV to generate water cooler
buzz and propel social media to “Oscar selfie” heights?
Geoffrey B. Daniels, EVP and General Manager, Nat Geo WILD
Benjamin Ringe, SVP Development, Peacock Productions
Howard Swartz, VP, Development & Production, Discovery Channel
Moderator: Al Berman, President, Berman Productions
2:45 pm - 3:30 pm—Branded Content Roundtable (Rockwell)
Blake Callaway, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Digital Media, IFC
Jill Griffin, SVP, Managing Director, LiquidThread USA, a division of Starcom Mediavest Group
Carey Head, Head of Integrated Production and Technology, BBH North America
Corey Silverman, VP Global Sales, Corbis Entertainment
Moderator: Jon Lafayette, Business Editor, Broadcasting & Cable
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm—Networking Break
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm—The Rebirth of the Limited and Mini-Series (Astor)
Roots, The Thorn Birds and The Winds of War set the template in the 1970s. Now, even with audiences consuming their content in made to
measure bites, the mini and limited series have roared back to life. Projects now routinely lure A-list film stars, award-winning producers, directors
and writers to the small screen. But with big rewards come big budgets and, yes, bigger risks. In this session these maestros of the mini share their
expertise and experience in producing some of TV’s biggest draws including new forms of distribution and funding models; how they attract the big-
name talent that draws in advertisers and viewers and how they’re combating the growing competition from alternative programmers like Netflix and
Amazon.
Elaine Frontain Bryant, SVP Development & Programming, HISTORY
Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive & GM, PBS
Tia Maggini, VP Original Movies, Lifetime
Scott Woodward, SVP, Programming & Production, Ovation
Moderator: A.J. Katz, Editor, Ratings Intelligence
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm—In Conversation With Travel Channel (Gillespie): Bethany Latham, Director, Production & Development Management,
Travel Channel
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm—In Conversation With Discovery (Wharton): Laura Crowson, Development Manager, Discovery Channel; Matt Kelly, VP,
Development & Production, Discovery Channel
4:20 pm – 4:50 pm—In Conversation With Nat Geo WILD (Wharton): Geoffrey B. Daniels, EVP and General Manager, Nat Geo WILD; Janet Han
Vissering, SVP, Development & Production, Nat Geo WILD
4:20 pm – 4:50 pm—In Conversation With HGTV, DIY Network and Great AMerican Country (Gillespie): Courtney White, VP, Program
Development & Production, HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm—The Twilight Zone of Reality Development (Astor)
With growing market saturation, derivative programming, cord cutting, softening ratings, and the difficulty of launching unknown casts, the pressure
has never been higher to develop new reality hits. And yet, there are more steps than ever to get a series greenlit: from Skype calls to sizzles,
casting reels to pilots. The bar is high — and so are the costs. Industry experts from both the network and production company side discuss and
debate the costly process of getting a show to that green light.
Nancy Daniels, EVP and GM, TLC
Charlie DeBevoise, Founder, NorthSouth Productions
Rick Holzman, EVP and General Manager, Animal Planet
5. Lauren Lexton, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Authentic Entertainment
Scott Lonker, Agent, CAA
Moderator: Bruce David Klein, President & Executive Producer, Atlas Media Corp.
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm—True Crime Programming Roundtable (Rockwell)
Nigel Bellis, Showrunner/Director, “Wicked Attraction” (Investigation Discovery) & Co-Creator, “Pretty Bad Girls” (Investigation Discovery)
Laura Fleury, VP/Head of Programming & Development, LMN
Valerie Haselton, Executive Producer & Co-President, Sirens Media
Jane Latman, SVP of Development, Investigation Discovery and General Manager, Discovery Fit & Health
Chris Nusbaum, Executive Producer, Sirens Media
Moderator: Daniel Holloway, Programming and Digital Media Editor, Broadcasting & Cable
4:50 pm – 5:20 pm—In Conversation With Oxygen Media (Wharton): Brie Bryant, VP of Development and Production, Original Programming,
Oxygen Media
4:50 pm – 5:20 pm—In Conversation With VH-1 (Gillespie): Jennifer McGovern, VP Development, East Coast, VH-1
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm—OPENING NIGHT COCKTAIL PARTY Sponsored by National Geographic Channel
Join Chef Eric Greenspan as he cooks up his signature grilled cheese sandwich — The Champ — and chats about his upcoming Nat Geo series
“Eric Greenspan is Hungry.” In his new series, Eric and his trusted and carnivorous gastronome, Captain Mauzner, set off on the meatiest, off-the-
beaten-path road trip, discovering Americana through rare homegrown family recipes, to satisfy their wildest meat imaginations and to get ideas for
Eric’s critically acclaimed restaurants in Los Angeles.
DAY 2: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
7:30 am – 8:45 am—Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:45 am - 5:30 pm—Networking: The Content Show Delegates Lounge
8:45 am – 9:15 am—Fireside Chat (Astor): Richard Brown, Executive Producer, True Detective
Moderator: Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive & GM, PBS
9:00 am - 9:30 am—In Conversation With Authentic Entertainment (Wharton): Lauren Lexton, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Authentic
Entertainment
9:00 am - 9:30 am—In Conversation With TV One (Gillespie): D’Angela Proctor, SVP, Programming and Production, TV One
9:15 am – 10:00 am—Who’s Laughing Now? (Astor)
Why is Amazon willing to pay up to $4 million — aka broadcast network money — for a half-hour comedy pilot? Crude, rude, audacious, irreverent,
loud, sexually charged, cerebral, sketch, classic, slapstick, dumb and dumber — comedy takes many forms and has shown remarkable stickiness
6. across platforms. But it looks a lot different than it did in Lucille Ball’s day — or heck, even Ray Romano’s. With MCNs and digital networks offering
viewers a never-ending menu of comedic programming to match their every mood and moment, in readily consumable bites, is the sitcom obsolete?
Where will the fresh ideas that make us laugh come from and what form will they take? Is there another Saturday Night Live on the
horizon? Programming toppers from leading digital and linear comedy networks discuss how they’re keeping viewers laughing and coming back for
more.
Rob Barnett, founder/CEO, Omnivision Entertainment & My Damn Channel
Joe Livecchi, SVP of Development, CMT
Christine Lubrano, SVP, Original Programming, IFC
Brooke Posch, SVP, Original Programming and Development, East Coast, Comedy Central
Marissa Ronca, SVP of Development & Original Programming, truTV
Moderator: Mark Malkoff, Comedian and Filmmaker, My Damn Channel
9:35 am – 10:05 am—In Conversation With Lifetime (Gillespie): Kim Chessler, VP of Unscripted Programming, Lifetime Network
10:00 am -10:45 am—More Than Skin Deep: Diversity Programming (Astor)
Are networks and advertisers finally paying attention to America’s changing demographics or is diversity just this year’s hot thing? Networks love to
jump on a trend and this season boasts an array of broadcast shows centered around ethnically diverse families, characters and cultures, among
them Jane The Virgin, Cristela and Black-ish. Programming leaders from the top multicultural networks discuss the significance of these programs
and the art and challenge of creating truly integrated and authentic bicultural programming that’s relatable to all audiences vs. mere diversity casting.
Michael Garcia, Chief Creative Officer, Televisa USA
Maureen Guthman, SVP Programming Strategy & Acquisitions, TV One
Linda Ong, President & Brand Strategist, TruthCo.
Lynette Ramirez, SVP, Programming, NUVOtv
Moderator: Val Boreland, EVP, Head of Programming & Production, Revolt TV
10:10 am - 10:40 am—In Conversation With Bravo Media (Wharton): Jenna Rosa, Director, Development, Bravo Media; Rachel Smith, VP,
current Production, Bravo Media
10:10 am - 10:40 am—In Conversation With ESPN (Gillespie): Marcia Keegan, VP, ESPN Production
10:45 am – 11:00 am—Networking Break
11:00 am - 11:45 am—Changing Course (Astor)
Everyone knows that going the distance in a relationship takes work. So what’s a network to do when its loyal viewers get bored and start flirting with
other channels or, even worse, forsaking it for digital alternatives? Or is it better to just move on, reinvent and start a new relationship with a
completely different demo? This session brings together the best and brightest programming and development experts who’ll let you in on their
strategies and successes in evolving and redefining their networks to create a whole new viewing experience.
Rod Aissa, EVP, Original Programming & Development, Oxygen Media
Chris Linn, President, Head of Programming, truTV
Gena McCarthy, SVP, Programming, FYI
Darren Melameth, SVP of Program Planning & Acquisitions, Crown Media Family Networks
Moderator: Tom Umstead, Programming Editor, Multimedia Editor, Multichannel.com
11:30 am – 12:15 pm—Meet the Experts Roundtable: Attorneys (Rockwell)
Melissa Clark, Business and Legal Affairs, Scripps Network
Elizabeth Corradino, Partner, Moses & Singer
Richard Hofstetter, Esq., Partner and Co-Chairman Entertainment Group, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein+Selz
Amaryllis Seabrooks, Senior Director, Talent—Business Affairs, Discovery Communications
Moderator: Nicole Page, Esq., Partner, Reavis Parent Lehrer LLP
11:00 am -11:35 am—In Conversation With TruTV (Wharton): Angel Annussek VP, Original Programming and Development, TruTV
11:00 am -11:35 am—In Conversation With CMT (Gillespie): Katie Buchanan, SVP, Programming Strategy, CMT; Joe Livecchi, SVP of
Development, CMT
7. 11:40 am - 12:10 pm—In Conversation With WE tv (Gillespie): David Stefanou, VP Development, WE tv
11:40 am – 12:10 pm—In Conversation With Flama (Gillespie): Steven Benanav, VP of Content Partnerships and GM of Flama, Univision
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm—Networking Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm—Keynote (Fitzgerald): Peter Tortorici, CEO, Group M Entertainment Global
Moderator: Melissa Grego, Editor-in-Chief, Broadcasting & Cable
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm—Advertiser-Funded Programming (Fitzgerald)
Since the beginning of TV the model’s been the same: programs are funded by the network, which recoups the investment by selling advertising
around the content. Yet “soap operas” are so named because the original soaps were produced and funded by soap brands like P&G. And so we’ve
come full circle, where advertisers have moved from buying ad space, product placement and brand integration to the actual creation and production
of whole shows from scratch. With the creation of dedicated studios for AFP by the world’s largest agencies like Group M, BBH and Omnicom, how
does the entry of these deep pocketed, data rich global agencies into the role of content creator, funder and owner impact the other
stakeholders? Heads of a production powerhouse; one of the country’s largest agencies; a top cable network; and the foremost producer of branded
content square off to debate and discuss this new dynamic and shift of power. How will everyone play together? Does the one who holds the biggest
purse hold the power?
Robert DeBitetto, President, A&E Studios
Chris Grant, CEO, Electus
Pat Lafferty, CEO – BBH North America
Brent Montgomery, CEO, Leftfield Entertainment
Moderator: Mark Robichaux, Editor-in-Chief, Multichannel News
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm—The Urgent Evolution of Storytelling (Astor)
If 2014 is any indication, we’re witnessing a radical change in the creation, distribution and consumption of content. “Programming” is
metamorphosing by the second. From non-fiction to social to scripted to pure fantasy–from CNNGo to Snapchat Stories to Oculus Rift—the
possibilities enabled by new thinking, big data, hardware innovation and the global explosion of social video are hyper-accelerating new formats,
new storytelling, and new programming. This panel invites a select group of content innovators to discuss the urgent evolution of storytelling in a
world that is as much about creativity as data. What just happened, what’s happening tomorrow and where will we be in a year?
Dewey Reid, VP, Executive Creative Director, CNN Digital
Hardie Tankersley,VP of Digital Platforms and Innovation, Fox Broadcasting
Co-Moderator: Channing Dawson, Senior Advisor, Scripps Networks Interactive
Co-Moderator: Colin Decker, Group Operating Officer, Discovery Digital Networks
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm—How to Source Multiformat content: Finding the Right Video, Images and Audio for Your Production (Rockwell)
Securing the best visual content to effectively convey your story is essential. The right visuals –video or images — can set your story apart in a
competitive environment. But today there is a lack of awareness and understanding of where to source the content and, most importantly, how to vet
the rights and clearances of these resources. The cost for not licensing content properly can result in delayed launch times, expensive research and
additional rights costs. This is especially true for user-generated content (UGC). As more media use UGC, understanding appropriate vetting and
clearing procedure is vital. This roundtable session will explore strategies for sourcing, vetting and managing content to avoid the pitfalls that can
derail your work. You will speak with a variety of industry experts including The Associated Press to determine what visual resources are available to
meet your visual storytelling needs for your next production.
Ivett Chicas, Manager, National Networks and Major Accounts, AP (Session Chair)
Dawn Cohen, Manager of Sales Strategy and Initiatives, AP
Jenn Miller, COO and Co-Founder, Audiosocket
Abby Muraskin, Head of Strategy and Business Development, AP
Jenn Stanger, Newscred
Claribel Torres, Manager, Video Products, AP
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm—In Conversation With Ish Entertainment (Wharton): Michael Hirschorn, CEO, Ish Entertainment
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm—In Conversation With NorthSouth Productions (Gillespie): Blaine Hopkins, Partner + Co-Executive Producer, NorthSouth
Productions
