Fall, Independent Telco Video Content Conference Agenda
From the Heartland to Hollywood
A conference with a focus on independent telcos and their video programming and marketing needs
One of the great mysteries of the cable television business is content. For an independent telephone company with little experience in this area, the acquisition and marketing of programming can be a daunting task. Even for those telcos that offer cable television programming via subsidiaries, it is often difficult to get the attention of the programmers and other content licensors since they are often focused on the larger MSO accounts.
The Fall 2003, Independent Telco Video Content Conference will help the independent telco unravel the mystery of cable television content, while providing a forum for independent telcos to exchange ideas as to effective marketing and promotional techniques. This conference is also a chance for the independent telcos to show the content producers their unique needs and their collective nationwide presence.
Building upon the success of the iTVcc, this conference promises even more timely sessions regarding video content including:
The Anchor Tenant – Why major Studio fare is a must-have
SVOD & FOD- All you want, when you want
Content and the Independent Producer
Content & regulatory strategies for video
The Telco Jukebox: Why A Telco has to be concerned about ASCAP/BMI/SECAS
HDTV – More definition, more TV
Middleware or Underwear – what’s the difference?
Advertainment – Another way to pay for your network
Game On – Should online gaming be part of a telco’s content strategy?
The Anchor Tenant – Why Major Studio Fare is a Must-Have
Just like the mall, an interactive television provider needs content from well known, national brands that will draw people into the array of programming they offer. These anchor tenants of content are a critical element in creating the perception that an independent telco is a purveyor of quality, Hollywood-style entertainment.
This session will feature the viewpoint of the major studios and what they require from a world that has moved from VHS and PPV to DVD and VOD. It will also look at some interesting alternatives for acquiring major studio content.
Bruce Eisen, CinemaNow
SVOD & FOD- All you want, when you want
Bundling different services, such as telephony, Internet and video, works. Why not bundle packages of video services within the same charge. Well, this is exactly what proponents of Subscription Video On Demand and “Free on Demand are proposing. And it is working. Hear the viewpoints of networks as well as the operators as to how these services positively change customers’ television viewing behaviors, while reducing churn.
John Baghdassarian, Regional Vice President, MagRack
Tom Gove, Senior Director, New Media, Starz-Encore
Content and the Independent Producer
Learn first hand from an independent producer’s perspective as to how content is created. This will be a fascinating session as the independent producer does it all, from turning an idea into content to arranging for the distribution of the content. This will be very insightful for any independent telco that is licensing content or is considering producing local content.
Content & Regulatory Strategies for Video
If you are going to provide cable services, you will need a franchise from your local government – or do you? This session will explain the basics of the local franchising process and then explore alternative methods of weaving through the local and federal regulatory maze to provide video services without the need for a local franchise.
Howard Shapiro, Bennet & Bennet, PLLC
The Telco Jukebox: Why A Telco has to be concerned about ASCAP/BMI/SECAS
In this age of peer-to-peer networks and the concerns about the illegal pirating of music and other files, could your telco be inadvertently not paying its dues? ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, acronyms for PROs (performing rights organizations), ensure their writer/musician members are paid for their work. Whether you are providing ISP services, plan on offering local ad insertion or will be serving commercial properties (e.g. hospitality), this will be a topic of interest. This session will feature an expert from ASCAP provide an overview of the performing rights concept and discuss the various licensing requirements.
Laurie Hughes, Director of Business Affairs for ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
HDTV – More definition, more TV
Like the low rumble of a freight train in the distance, HDTV is coming. This session will address the content, regulatory and technical considerations of HDTV. This is a must-see session for an offering that will soon become a must-have feature.
Moderator: Peter Lowten, Pixel Consulting & Liason
Middleware or Underwear – what’s the difference?
Actually, there are many similarities between middleware and underwear. Both should be invisible to the outside world, while seamlessly performing their functions. But middleware allows your system to become a true interactive television network, providing new service and revenue opportunities. Join the panelists in this session as they discuss the cutting edge system software that can turn a telco’s iTV vision into a reality.
Advertainment – Another way to pay for your network
Why make your customers explicitly shoulder all of the costs of your network? Since the last century, broadcast television and radio have been supported by advertising, not subscription. This session will look at ways even a small operator can benefit from advertising on their system. Get tips and techniques on ways you grow both your revenue and subscriber base.
Pete Pifer, President, ETI, Inc.
David Ernst, V.P. Research, Initiative Media
Game On – Should online gaming be part of a telco’s content strategy?
With over $9 billion in revenue, gaming was larger than the theatrical box office last year. How does a telco devise a content strategy that includes games? And with large organizations, like Sony and Microsoft, creating extensive telecom networks to support their online game platforms, how does an independent telco compete in this arena? This session will address these and other questions to make the telco a winner in this game.
Garry Kitchen, President/CEO, Skyworks
Case studies in Independent Telco Video Success
These case studies will feature a variety of independent telcos that have deployed systems within and outside their traditional exchange areas using various network topologies, including ADSL, VDSL, HFC and FTTH. They will discuss their platform choices and marketing strategies and tactics for success in the face of formidable competition.
Moderator: Ken Pyle, Vice President, Viodi, LLC
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