3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Track I:
Beyond Movies: Television On Demand – New Revenue Generating Opportunities from the Syndication and Delivery of On-Demand Content
Movies may have been the driver in the pay TV universe, but with the arrival of on-demand television, an entirely new set of programming and viewing concepts may be on the verge of breaking through in the marketplace. This panel will explore the opportunity for syndicators, networks, and cable operators to generate incremental revenue through the delivery of on-demand content other than movies. The panelists will discuss their views on how operators, networks and syndicators can work together to expand the revenue pie by offering more compelling content when consumers without cannibalizing existing revenue streams.
Paul Colichman, Chairman and partner, Regent Entertainment and President , here! TV, LLC
Mitch Oscar, Executive Vice President, Carat Digital
Jeff Shultz, CEO, CONCERT
Dan York, CEO, York Media Group
Joshua Wexler, Head of Business Development, Threshold Entertainment
Jeff Binder, President, Broadbus Technologies, Moderator
Paul Colichman, Chairman and partner, Regent Entertainment and Presi
dent , here! TV, LLC: Acclaimed filmmaker Paul Colichman is Chairman and partner of Regent Entertainment, a leading independent film company. He is also, President of here! TV, a precedent-setting entertainment destination serving the country’s gay and lesbian audience with quality, star-filled theatricals and video premieres. Recognized as a ground breaking film producer, distributor and entrepreneur, Paul Colichman balances the creative daring of independent films with the pragmatic goals of a movie mogul. His company, Regent Entertainment, Inc. operates like a mini-studio. With a dozen films slated for release this year, he forges a bold niche in the market, creating a haven for originality within budgetary constraints. His achievements include the highly acclaimed "Gods and Monsters" which garnered an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay as well as Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. The picture also received a Golden Globe for Best Actress and a nomination for Best Picture. He also produced the Academy Award Nominated, Tom and Viv; a film version of the off-Broadway hit, Twilight of the Golds, which won three Cable Ace Awards; and My New Gun, which debuted in the coveted Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. Mitchell Oscar currently holds the position of Executive Vice Presiden
t, Director of Carat Digital. Carat Digital is a new division of Carat focusing on new digital platforms and the integration of interactive TV, wireless and online applications with traditional media. Its mission is to explore the potential value of interactive media applications and technologies for the development (ideas and implications) and execution of advertising models by Carat clients: Carat Digital’s presentation "Here, There, Everywhere" is an exploration of emerging digital platforms in the United States including interactive television (personal video recorders, addressability, interactive program guides, video on demand, and the TV portal), and new distribution platforms (digital cable, digital terrestrial TV and broadband). Prior to joining Carat, Mitch was SVP/Director of Media Futures at Universal McCann whose responsibility was the creation and management of a media division dedicated to the investigation, strategic positioning and execution of new digital media. Partnerships included Cox Communications (long form advertising), AT&T Broadband/ACTV (addressability), CNN/Cartoon Network (VOD/cross digital media platforms), Discovery (VOD, SVOD, high definition), TechTV (virtual channel/cross media platforms), Weather (virtual channel), TiVo (PVR), RePlayTV (PVR), ShadowTV (streaming), Wink (enhanced TV), Digeo (TV portal), Invidi (addressability), Visible World (addressability), Vindigo (wireless), Profilium (wireless), LiquidGeneration (Gen Y marketing) and Liberty Media (evolution of new media and commercial production). Since 1991, Mitch has been president of HocusFocus, a media and marketing consultancy whose primary focus is interactive television and television distribution technologies. Client roster includes: ESPN, Fox, Cox, AT&T Broadband, Visible World, CNN, Cartoon Network, Digeo, Navic, RePlayTV, and Cablevision.Jeff Shultz, CEO, CONCERT: Jeff is CEO and co-founder of CONCERT, one of the nation’s first VOD television properties and the first television channel dedicated to music performance and documentary. Together with his business partner, Michael Shimbo, Jeff was among the first executives to begin forging relationships in the nascent VOD programming industry in early 2002. Currently he oversees the executive function for CONCERT, managing programming and distribution business development, advertising sales, and affiliate relations. Jeff was previously director of business development for NBC Internet, the online arm of NBC television network. There he focused on new media entertainment and e-commerce deals for one of the nation’s leading broadband Internet portals. Jeff began his career as an attorney for the international firm of Linklaters where he specialized in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and hedge fund management. Jeff graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Arizona and with a J.D. from Georgetown University Law School.
Jeff Binder, President, Broadbus: Jeffrey Binder is a Broadbus found
er and serves as President. He was previously CEO of Magic Music, where he managed development of three generations of DRAM based server technology, overseeing the overall operations of the company from start-up to 30%+ market-share in just two years. He was formerly founding CEO of the Leading Golf Companies, successfully delivering frequency marketing client/server technology and systems in partnership with the top 500 golf courses in the US and major airlines, including American Airlines and TWA. Binder is a named inventor to several Broadbus patents and continues to collaborate and innovate with the Broadbus team. He has authored key vision documents published in major industry journals regarding television-on-demand (TOD®), and frequently presents at major audio and cable industry events. In addition, he serves on the boards of Greater Chicago Bank (a regional FDIC Banking), and FastenerOasis, Inc., (the e-commerce arm of one of the largest fastener distributors in the US). He is a member of NCTA, CTAM, SCTE and has been a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences since 1988.Dan York, CEO, York Media Group: Dan York is CEO of York Media Group, a leading content developer and consultant to companies in the emerging media sector. York’s areas of emphasis include transactional television, new digital networks, on-demand platforms and content distribution. York was recently Senior Vice President of Programming and Development at iN Demand Networks. He oversaw all programming, content acquisition, scheduling and distribution to other platforms for the world’s leading network group of emerging television technologies. This included over seventy linear channels of content across multiple platforms and more VOD content than any other entity. The networks York programmed include the cable-exclusive HD digital channels, INHD and INHD2; twenty-eight channels of NVOD movies; two networks devoted solely to big events and specials, Events iN Demand 1 and 2; and an adult service, Hot Choice. iN Demand also provides of all out-of-market sports programming to the cable industry, featuring MLB, NBA, NHL, ESPN NCAA football and basketball, MLS, and the Emmy Award-winning NASCAR iN Car multi-channel package, which is a digital cable exclusive. The VOD content offering York managed includes theatrical movies, as well as free, events, adult, and alternative content. He was the first to program titles in high definition VOD. Previously, York spent over 12 years at HBO, most recently as VP/GM of Time Warner Sports/HBOPPV. There he was responsible for distribution, marketing, programming operations, sponsorship and content acquisition. York also oversaw the marketing and affiliate relations for World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He started is career at HBO directly of college in marketing the HBO and Cinemax networks. York is a successful television brand creator and builder, having launched numerous successful new television platforms, including those listed above. Additionally, he was on the HBO startup teams that built their SVOD service and basic cable comedy network (which became Comedy Central). He has been successful in securing VOD rights from Hollywood movie studios, a turning point in launching the VOD business. York has created or delivered many groundbreaking programs to new television platforms, including the Official Olympic Film Archives in HD, the Gravity Games and many of the biggest events and specials in television history. York is a graduate of Michigan State University, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He has also worked at WXYZ-TV (ABC), the National Association of Broadcasters, and as a freelance television writer.
Joshua Wexler is Head of Business Development for Threshold Entertainment, Hollywood’s leading intellectual property management & production company and President of Blackbelt TV, the first martial arts entertainment cable network. He has forged relationships with leading international companies such as General Motors, Proctor & Gamble, Sony Playstation, IBM, Comcast, Universal, News Corp and many more. Wexler also heads up distribution for Blackbelt TV. Wexler’s feature film experience includes "Mortal Kombat," "Mortal Kombat Annihilation," "Home Alone," "Edward Scissorhands," and "Predator II." He co-created and is executive producing "FOODFIGHT" with Larry Kasanoff.