Las Vegas, NV – NAB Show, the world’s largest convention encompassing the convergence of media, entertainment and technology, kicked off today in Las Vegas. NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith opened the convention with his annual State of the Broadcast Industry Address, and a broad range of industry professionals led sessions dealing with the latest advances in filmmaking, television production and content creation. This year’s NAB Show runs through Thursday, April 27.
In his annual address at the NAB Show Opening, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith spoke about the power of broadcast and how the M.E.T. Effect – the convergence of media, entertainment and technology – is impacting business and society. Smith also talked about the forthcoming Next Gen TV standard, which will unify over-the-air broadcasting with over-the-top (OTT) content. Hearst CEO Steven Swartz joined Rebecca Jarvis, ABC News’ chief business, economics and technology correspondent, for a discussion about the role broadcasters play in American life, and how to make smart investments in an ever-changing media landscape.Jim Lanzone, CBS Interactive CEO and CBS Corporation’s chief digital officer, kicked off the Online Video Conference this morning with his keynote, “Inside CBS’s Transformation to a Next Generation Content Company.” Lanzone shared his insights on where the company is investing and how multi-platform delivery is evolving the TV business. Executives at the helm of Fox Networks, Revolt Media & TV and Lionsgate also shared how consumers are redefining the TV landscape through streaming, binge viewing, time-shifting, social sharing and creating their own content packages during the Super Session, “Content at the Center of Media Transformation.”
The editors, assistant editor and VFX editor of the hit movie “Logan” were the debut session of the Creative Master Series with “Turning Wolverine into LOGAN: The Editing Team Talks Collaboration.” During the panel, the editors explained the process and decisions that went into editing the highest-grossing film worldwide in the Wolverine franchise. The Creative Master Series also featured the filmmakers behind the new sci-fi thriller “Ghost in the Shell,” starring Scarlett Johansson. They discussed how they made the visually-groundbreaking motion picture based on the original Japanese manga by combining artistry with innovation. Attendees at “Game of Thrones: Behind the Scenes with the Filmmakers,” were granted an exclusive look at how the hit series’ sixth season – which drew 25.1 million viewers across all major platforms in 2016 – was made.
At the Television Luncheon, Maria Elena Salinas, co-anchor of the broadcast mainstay "Noticiero Univision,” was inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Salinas has received a Peabody Award, Walter Cronkite Award, a Gracie and became the first Latina to receive an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Award-winning actress and producer America Ferrera received the Television Chairman’s Award, which recognizes individuals for their significant achievements in one or more specific disciplines in television. Ferrera is best known for her breakthrough role as Betty Suarez on ABC’s comedy “Ugly Betty,” and currently produces and stars as Amy in the second season of NBC’s workplace comedy “Superstore.”
TMZ creator and Emmy Award-winner Harvey Levin joined Fox TV's Frank Cicha for “The Real Story: A Take on Syndicated Entertainment News with FOX TV’s Frank Cicha and TMZ’s Harvey Levin,” where both Levin and Cicha discussed how TMZ evolved from a web brand about celebrities into a leading syndicated entertainment property. They also discussed how the show's debut on FOX stations pushed boundaries and pioneered an influential new format.
Later in the day, Hank Azaria, executive producer and star of IFC's new series “Brockmire,” discussed the making of the critically acclaimed new series in the Super Session titled “Making it in the Major Leagues: How a Viral Video on Funny or Die Became the IFC Series ‘Brockmire.’” Azaria, who was joined by co-star Amanda Peet and IFC President Jennifer Caserta, discussed what it takes to bring a series from concept to completion, as well IFC's commitment to delivering unexpected comedies.
The award-winning television producer and weatherman Al Roker joined Marcus Graham, the director of Programming at Twitch, and David Shaw, the vice president of Production of NFL Media, in NewTek’s sponsored Super Session “Broadcast Minds: ‘The Power to See Ahead,’” where they discussed the trends in the video industry they’re seeing and the opportunities that lay ahead.
The first day of this year’s NAB Show wrapped up with the Super Session moderated by the award-winning radio and television host Larry King. Titled “The Real Story 2: Celebrity Executive Officers: How these CEOs Manage Reality,” Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars,” Jon Taffer of “Bar Rescue” and filmmaker Brant Pinvidic discussed how they transitioned their business successes into hit television series.
Select clips from today’s sessions can be viewed here and will be added on a continuous basis.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
About RAB
The Radio Advertising Bureau serves more than 6,000 member Radio stations in the U.S. and over 1,000 member networks, representative firms, broadcast vendors, and international organizations. RAB leads and participates in educational, research, sales, and advocacy programs that promote and advance Radio as a primary advertising medium. Learn more at www.rab.com.
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