Archives: Schedule

Join Ruth Berry (President of Zoo 55 and Global Partnerships) and Graham Haigh (COO of Zoo 55) as they unveil ITV Studios’ new digital label, highlighting its bold vision and ambition. Building on ITV Studios success across digital platforms, Zoo 55 will elevate iconic content with over 90,000 hours of programming, reaching audiences worldwide. With a mission to propel ITV Studios to the forefront of digital entertainment, Zoo 55 embodies “Evolving entertainment for every screen,” bringing beloved brands to viewers wherever they are

In this presentation, Matt Campion, founder of Spirit Studios, will share his expertise on navigating the complex world of commissioning in a session titled “Outsmarting Commissioning Hell.” Drawing on his extensive industry experience, Matt will offer practical strategies for content creators to avoid common pitfalls, such as lengthy decision-making processes and rigid network expectations by going digital-first.

He will also include a detailed case study on Spirit Studios’ own hit show Outsmarting, illustrating how they successfully developed and produced the series as a digital-first show for Channel 4 and are now supersizing the series for linear TV.

This presentation will explore the evolving competitive digital landscape, recently intensified by new entrants to the online advertising market.  Drawing on Ampere’s extensive data, Hannah will highlight key trends in digital-first content, including popular genres, successful formats, and emerging players in this space. The discussion will also explore collaborations between digital-first creators and traditional media companies, examining co-productions and content-sharing models that bridge digital and linear formats.

The content industry’s only showcase of projects in development from some of the hottest digital-first producers to round off the day’s sessions. Over the past two editions of The Drop, 3 projects have been commissioned as a result of being pitched. Featuring never-seen-before projects from Seen.TV, Strong Watch Studios, Fawkes Digital and ZANDLAND. 4 x presentations. 10 minutes each.

The “YouTube vs TV: Friend, Frenemy, or Foe?” panel will delve into the evolving dynamics between traditional broadcasters and digital platforms, particularly YouTube. Matt Risley of Channel 4’s 4Studio, Taf Makopa from Wall of Entertainment, and Neil Price from YouTube UK will consider YouTube’s impact on traditional TV, exploring where the two align or diverge, audience behaviour and monetisation shifts, as ad spend migrates from TV to digital, challenging creators to balance brand-funded and audience-focused content.

Three of the major social media platforms discuss how they are working with creators, IP owners, and media publishers. Snap, TikTok, and Twitch execs explain what’s new, what’s coming up, and how people can best use their platforms. Across entertainment, sports, and news, the trio of social media heavyweights break down what you need to know to drive engagement on, and value from, their platforms.