Media Executive Discusses Streaming Industry Paths at StreamTV Europe Conference

The first-ever StreamTV Europe conference took place in Lisbon on Monday, attracting more than 1,000 attendees and 45 exhibitors. The event, organized by Questex, focused on the evolving streaming landscape. A keynote address highlighted challenges and opportunities in the media sector.

' He described a current 'fork in the road' for the industry, with one path leading to past practices and the other to future innovations. Attendees were urged to make choices that prioritize forward-looking strategies.

Strategies of Fox Corp.

, led by Lachlan Murdoch, and Paramount, led by David Ellison. Both companies share similarities as family-run traditional media enterprises. However, their recent paths have diverged significantly. Fox Corp.

sold its studio and key cable networks to Walt Disney as part of the 21st Century Fox transaction a few years ago. It retained its broadcast network and Fox News but reinvested proceeds from the sale and cash flow into a portfolio of creator-focused enterprises valued at around $1 billion.

Investments include Whalar, a studio and agency connecting brands and creators; Red Seat Ventures; Holywater, a vertical micro-drama firm; and Dhar Mann.

These moves have positioned Fox Corp. as a hub for creator content that coexists with traditional programming. The company's enterprise value has increased as a result, according to the speaker. Paramount pursued a different approach with its reported $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros.

Discovery. This deal added $80 billion in debt to Paramount's balance sheet. The speaker noted that this strategy focuses on legacy assets without a clear future-oriented plan.

The speaker also discussed demographic shifts, noting that Gen Z and millennials form a large portion of the population.

Media companies should tailor content to appeal to these groups while reaching broader audiences. For instance, YouTube has evolved from a platform for young users to one serving everyone, functioning effectively as television. U.S.

in transitioning from traditional TV to streaming and social video, due to its older average population age and availability of free TV. , media companies previously relied on pay TV profits, but similar trends are now affecting subscription streaming services. Subscriber growth is flattening, and production levels are declining rapidly.

Fragmentation poses a major challenge, which the speaker suggested addressing through fandom, affinity, and engagement. He recommended shifting from top-down programming focused on reach and frequency to creator-like thinking. Examples included the global success of RuPaul’s Drag Race across platforms and BBC Studios' distribution on YouTube, driven by fandom.

French broadcaster TF1 was cited for co-creating content with young news creator Gaspard G, achieving higher engagement metrics than its traditional output. The speaker advocated for premium vertical programming to play a larger role in media consumption and emphasized building community, loyalty, and engagement in what he termed the Affinity Economy.

director Alejandro Piñero opened the conference, highlighting the strong attendance.

Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas welcomed participants, describing the industry as centered on storytelling. He noted Lisbon's historical role as a safe haven where diversity, poetry, and innovation intersect, positioning the city as an ideal venue. The conference underscored the need for media companies to adapt to technological and audience changes.

Success stories like the animated series Bluey were mentioned as models of engaging content. Overall, the event provided a platform for industry professionals to discuss strategies for sustainable growth.