There is still time to secure a place at tomorrow’s TellyCast Digital Content Forum, as speakers from the BBC, Channel 4, ITV Studios, Sidemen Entertainment, Tubi and more prepare to gather at London’s BFI Southbank on Thursday 5 November.
The fifth edition of the Forum brings together more than 35 speakers for a day exploring the business of digital content, from brand-funded vertical drama and fan-supported production to the growing demand for producers to build and run channels.
Creators, digital-first studios, producers, broadcasters, platforms and brands will take part in a programme combining panels, case studies, showcases and networking.
TellyCast founder Justin Crosby said: “This is set to be our biggest Digital Content Forum yet, with a fantastic line-up of speakers working at the forefront of digital content. We’ve built the programme around the questions facing the industry right now: where the next commissions are coming from, how to fund production and how to build lasting businesses around audiences. We’re looking forward to bringing everyone together at the BFI.”
The morning opens with “Media’s New Studio Model”, featuring Leah Green of Guardian Studios, Richard Beech of Hearst UK and Nadia Holmes of Bauer Audio. Moderated by Victoria Jaye, the session will examine how established media businesses are developing their own production capabilities.
Further sessions address duty of care on digital budgets and the value of testing formats in public, with contributors including clinical psychologist Dr Howard Fine, Lifted Entertainment’s Franky Harte, Grace Miller of Grace Experiments and Yusuf Omar of Seen TV.
Caroline Servy of The Wit will showcase digital-first formats from around the world, while ITV Studios’ Will Scougal and Martin Trickey will discuss developments at Studio 55 and Zoo 55. A panel on thumbnails, titles and trailers will explore how packaging increasingly influences what gets commissioned.
The afternoon turns to the economics of digital production. “Off the App: Brand-Funded Vertical” features speakers including Shorties Studios’ Kelly Luegenbiehl and Platform Media’s Ainsley Cannon, examining the opportunities for vertical series financed by brands.
“The Fan Economy: Turning Audiences into Investors” brings together Matt Amys of Sidemen Entertainment’s Side+, Tom Payne of Spud Gun Studios, Josh Reynolds of Zandland and Diane Glynn of Zoo 55 to discuss memberships, live gifting and crowdfunded commissions.
Chronicle Media’s Oliver Lewis and The Wombles’ Alex Treharne will present a case study on the franchise’s return to YouTube, combining remastered archive episodes with new content focused on sustainability, reuse and community.
Flight Story’s Oli Thomas, Jungle Creations’ Siobhan McDade and Tubi’s Sami Qasem will then look ahead to the creator economy’s next chapter, in a discussion moderated by Quintus Studios’ Gerrit Kemming.
The closing panel, “From Shows to Channels: The New Digital Commission”, features the BBC’s Mariel Capisciolto, Channel 4’s Kaio Grizelle and Hearst Canvas creative director Danny Baggott. Attention Industries’ Sam Barcroft moderates the discussion on what commissioners increasingly expect from producers building and operating digital channels.
Doors open at 8.30am, with the welcome at 9.15am. Networking drinks sponsored by Chronicle Media run from 5pm to 7pm.
Book your ticket for tomorrow’s TellyCast Digital Content Forum here.
