Companies are getting inventive in the converged TV space, finding new ways to bridge linear and streaming. Those deals will be a hot topic at ScreenShift, taking place October 14 in NYC. Eric de Cholnoky, EVP, Distribution & Business Development at AMC Networks, who will be on hand for that discussion, offers a preview of what we can expect.
How do you see bundling evolving?
Customers today have more choice than ever before, but there is clearly confusion about where to find the content they are looking for, how to navigate the new world of streaming and all the options that are out there, which is why we are seeing this new interest in bundles to help make things easier and more manageable.
We are also seeing significant interest in targeted streaming services – which is an area we are leaders in – so bundling together a few high-affinity streaming services is an appealing option for viewers looking to access their favorite content in a seamless way with some additional value built into the proposition.
We also very much believe in our cable business and relationships and that streaming can be complementary. Charter took the lead in providing value for those customers who want a streaming experience in addition to a cable experience and we have been very pleased with the results. We have leaned in in a major way and continue to believe that providing great content AND great value to customers is a winning proposition.
How have you shifted your approach to dealmaking in this “next act” of Pay TV?
Partners are more important than ever in this environment and they are core to our business and how we are managing through this period of change and transition in the industry. Even companies that would have been considered competitors just a few years ago can be valuable partners today.
In terms of how my role has changed, the simplest way to say it is we no longer have conversations that could be considered siloed. Every conversation we have with a partner or potential partner represents multiple people, departments and objectives within our company, which is a sign of the opportunity that exists in a period of rapid change. While the industry is shifting, it has become even more important than ever to do whole company thinking and strategizing when managing important relationships and moving the business forward.
What are your hoped-for takeaways from your ScreenShift panel?
That we are working hard as an industry to think about the consumer first and about how to serve viewers with the content they want to watch, in the way they want to watch it for a fair price. If we do that well, I think there is guaranteed success.
