TellyCast has confirmed the all-star line-up for The Future of News in a Video-First World, another thought-provoking panel session taking place at this year’s Digital Content Forum (Thursday, November 6: BFI Southbank).
With DCF stalwart Sam Barcroft (CEO of SWNS Media Group) in the moderator’s chair, headliners include The Sun’s director of video Jon Lloyd, Sky News acting head of digital Kate Sullivan and ITN managing director of content Ian Rumsey.
TellyCast said the action-packed session will explore “how major media companies are adapting news for digital-first audiences across platforms. It looks at the financial, editorial and technological shifts shaping video news in an era of streaming, social media and on-demand consumption. The panel also examines how legacy broadcasters and publishers are rethinking workflows, revenue models, documentary opportunities and audience engagement to stay relevant.”
Having taken up his current role in January 2025, AI evangelist Lloyd is leading the mission to adapt The Sun’s famous brand into a video first publisher. He is responsible for all video output at The Sun – a remit that includes the growth of a new original formats division “developing, commissioning and delivering brand-sponsored, long-running series across dozens of sport, lifestyle, showbiz & royal channels”.
Sky’s Kate Sullivan describes herself as a “breaking news and digital native with over 20 years in the business”. Having been at Sky News, her role as acting head of digital places her at the forefront of shifting trends in the news provision. She runs a substantial team of journalists, editors and producers who work across platforms.
As managing director of content at ITN, Rumsey heads up ITN Productions, and also supports ITN newsrooms on major editorial issues working with, and stepping in for, ITN CEO Rachel Corp when required. Under his purview, the company is exploring new opportunities in digital innovation FAST channels and AI. He has a storied career in television and has overseen rapid growth at ITN Productions.
The session comes at a critical time for the news sector, as evidenced by the latest edition of the Reuters Institute Digital News Report. The report found that: “Engagement with traditional media sources such as TV, print, and news websites continues to fall, while dependence on social media, video platforms, and online aggregators grows.” It also cited the growing impact of online influencers in shaping public debates – often from a partisan perspective. Increasingly, for example, politicians are able to dodge tough questioning by choosing to interact primarily with platforms and personalities that are sympathetic to their agenda.
Previously, TellyCast has unveiled details of its vodcast session and digital formats session. It has also announced a rich array of industry leaders speaking at the DCF. These include Katharina Gellein Viken of Metrotone Studios, Sonny McLean from Fan Club Studio, Daniel Winner of Avalon Advisory, Sidemen Entertainment MD Victor Bengtsson, Upload Agency’s Stuart Jones, vidIQ’s Rob Wilson, Abi Watson of Enders Analysis, Spirit Studios’ Matt Campion, The Wit’s Caroline Servy, COPA90’s Daniel Parker and Oxford University’s Dr Alex Connock.
Also new for DCF 2025 is The Bridge Digital Formats Lounge, where ITV Studios and Zoo55 will connect with creators and indies to explore digital-first opportunities around new and catalogue formats. Other features include the YouTube Clinic where delegates can get a free health check of their YouTube channels by vidIQ.
