Saugato Banerjee

A+E Networks

Vice President – Strategy and Operations, Asia Pacific

a. The ecosystem is truly waking up to the challenge of shifting media consumption patterns. All players in the system recognize the challenge of increasing Pay-TV penetration rates exponentially as audiences get their entertainment fix through other pipes. The good part is that the industry seems to developing a collective will to see this as an opportunity and there is a lot of experimentation underway to figure out models that best suit their own needs.

b. Platforms are increasing their investment in local content and thereby increasing controlling their own destiny across the entire value chain. As much time was spent discussing their investments in local content as was in discussing growth rates, collaborations with channel partners and the ever-increasing cost of sports rights.

c. The localization bug seems to have an infectious spirit that has also affected the international channel providers. More than one network head seemed to chant the mantra of increasing audience share and creating a deeper connect with local markets.

d. The boldest proclamation had to go to the Chairman of Shanghai Media Group who declared that the current BesTV business model would be extinct in a few years. Given that BesTV is the largest IPTV platform in China, is listed on the stock markets and is wholly owned by the Shanghai Media Group, it was a statement designed to illustrate the direction of the Chinese entertainment market. The answer seems to lie in current mantra on every player’s lips – OTT.

e. India continues to vex and encourage. More than one session did not miss an opportunity to rail against the structural and regulatory imbalances, limited opportunities to extract the true potential from the market etc. And yet with digitization already having a positive impact, a pro-reform government on the horizon and the worst of the slump seemingly behind, there was more than a hint of optimism in the air.

APOS is often a venue for a lot of deal making on the sides and plenty more social interaction within the industry. The mood this year can best be described as guarded optimism. There is clear recognition that a lot needs to change with the way the industry presents itself to the consumer in order to stay relevant. But there is also optimism stemming from the fact we are in the golden age of story telling and content consumption. And who better to take advantage of this age than those who best tell the stories?