Print
Back To Agenda »
You are not currently viewing the most recent Realscreen Summit. Go to Realscreen Summit 2026.
Monday, June 6
| 11:15 AM |
Trendwatch: What’s Next in M&A
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 11:15 AM-12:00 PM Even though the “unscripted prodco buying spree” of the previous decade seems to have cooled off in the 2020s, there is still substantial activity in the M&A space, and even some new potential buyers in the mix via the streaming world and private equity firms. But there are many factors to take into account before making a deal. Here, you’ll hear from those who have sold stakes in their businesses as well as those who advise on the deals and learn valuable lessons on valuing your company, picking the right time to sell, building the right team to seal the deal and much more Speaking
   
|
| 12:15 PM |
Cancel Culture or Course Correction?
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 12:15 PM-1:00 PM In the television business, when a show was canceled, it was usually due to ratings. Now, with the advent of social media, viewers are able to send immediate feedback about a program, or its cast, far and wide. And conversely, cast members or others involved in the programming can derail a show -- and their careers -- with a tweet. As audiences come to expect more in the way of social responsibility from those who create content -- and star in it -- producers and programmers alike can be caught in the crossfire if those standards aren’t met. This session will explore the issue with various industry stakeholders, and will provide practical takeaway on best practices for avoiding or navigating potential challenges. Speaking
Jacqui PitmanCEO, Casting Director & Executive Producer Pitman Casting Inc/ Partypit Productions Inc. 
Ethan CohanPartner, Head of Non-Fiction & Unscripted Practice Area Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang 
|
| 2:15 PM |
Streaming and Unscripted: Where to Grow from Here?
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 2:15 PM-3:00 PM The advent of global streaming services has had an immeasurable impact upon the entertainment industry -- from content creators to audiences, from commissioners to distributors, streaming has revolutionized every aspect of screen entertainment. But now that the playing field has become more crowded with a wealth of services in the mix, the challenge for established and new players alike is all about growth -- growing subscribers and scale through growing the content offering. Here, executives from top streaming platforms discuss how their services plan to evolve in the months and years ahead, and what role unscripted content will play in that evolution. Speaking
|
| 3:15 PM |
Reality Refresh
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 3:15 PM-4:00 PM Even though the unscripted genre has been a staple of cable and broadcast networks for decades, it is consistently evolving, and with each new series that breaks through the clutter with an innovative twist or a clever hybrid, the whole genre seems to undergo a renaissance. Now that global streamers have entered the picture, even more innovation and exploration is at hand. Here, you’ll hear from producers and programmers about the tech advancements, subgenre mashups and other approaches being undertaken to ‘refresh reality,’ with an eye towards what might be next to break through. Speaking
|
| 4:15 PM |
Scoring a Hit with Sports Content
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 4:15 PM-5:00 PM From ESPN’s ground-breaking ‘30 to 30’ strand and the Michael Jordan docuseries, The Last Dance, to Ken Burn’s event series for PBS on boxing icon Muhammad Ali, sports-centered non-fiction content is hotter than ever. But it’s not just sports celeb stories that capture viewers, as docuseries capturing the ups and downs of icons-in-training have also scored with audiences. Here, you’ll learn some tips on how to craft winning content from the playbooks of major players in the Sports Non-Fiction space. Speaking
|
Tuesday, June 7
| 10:45 AM |
Keeping It Real: New Challenges for Doc-makers
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 10:45 AM-11:30 AM On one hand, the explosion of interest in documentaries from streamers, cable nets and commercial broadcasters provides incredible opportunities for doc-makers and a true renaissance for the genre. But with those opportunities come challenges for a medium that has traditionally prized authenticity and ethics above commercial concerns. From deepfaked audio clips (and the potential for deepfaked video) to navigating access and creative control when your subject is also an executive producer, documentarians are facing an evolving array of ethical concerns, in some part propelled by the success and increasing demand for docs. This panel will feature the perspectives of documentary filmmakers and programmers and shed light on how to balance art, authenticity and commerce. Speaking
|
| 11:45 AM |
CASE STUDY: DEAF U (presented by DIALOG)
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 11:45 AM-12:30 PM One of the most compelling and groundbreaking docuseries of the past couple of years has come in the form of Deaf U, produced by Hot Snakes Media and Nyle DMarco for Netflix. Following a group of students at Gallaudet University, a college primarily for the deaf and hard of hearing, the sow has gained critical accolades for what IndieWire calls its “relatable and compelling” approach to capturing the lives of its cast. Here, you’ll learn from the team behind the series about the process involved in crafting what’s being called “a serious step forward in representing deafness and disability. Speaking
|
| 2:00 PM |
Future Factual: Tech Trends
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 2:00 PM-2:45 PM From the advent of AI production techniques and the arrival of NFTs to the impending Metaverse, technological advances are set to impact the way content is made, viewed and sold. How can all this activity potentially change the way you’ll do business? Here, you’ll meet tech experts and the unscripted industry execs partnering with them to learn more about the opportunities – and the learning curves – involved in the brave new world ahead. Speaking
|
Wednesday, June 8
| 10:45 AM |
Realscreen Awards: Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 10:45 AM-11:30 AM Each year the Realscreen Hall of Fame awards are presented to individuals who have made their mark on the unscripted and non-fiction content landscape. Join us for a special presentation to honor this year’s recipients Speaking
|
| 2:00 PM |
Coproduction - Strength in Numbers
Richard Henry Dana Ballroom 2:00 PM-2:45 PM With new players and platforms joining the content landscape on an almost weekly basis, the battle for eyeballs has never been more competitive. And as a result, the push for premium content is even more aggressive. More and more, it’s become apparent that there is strength in numbers -- both in terms of the production partners that can join a project to make it all it can be, and the dollars that can wind up on screen with the right copro arrangement. Here, you’ll learn about how the coproduction space is evolving, how deals are being made in this evolving ecosystem, and the range of players and partners available. Speaking
|