The NATPE Buyers' Lounge is open for accredited buyers to host meetings in 30 minute increments. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers may arrange for their guests to check in at the welcome table to be shown to their meeting. In the event the tables are all occupied, the host and guest can meet at the check in desk and decide whether to wait, or to relocate their meeting. A chime will sound each 30 minutes to remind guests when to wrap up their meetings.

Advance sign-up was required.

These 60-minute sessions are informal affairs designed to connect delegates with broadcasters, streamers, producers and development executives in a small-group setting. These sessions are not about pitching. They are opportunities to network, discuss trends and spark potential partnerships. Complimentary lunch will be provided.

Sign-ups opened Wednesday, January 7 at 11:00 am ET and closed Thursday, January 29 at 5:00 pm ET.

Attendees who secured a spot in advance for Breakfast with a Decision Maker should arrive at the session room 15-20 minutes prior to the session start time to check in with the room monitor and get processed. Showing up late may result in losing your spot.  

If you did not secure a spot in advance, we recommend showing up to the session room 20-30 minutes early to join the wait line. 

Speaking

Table host

Craig Junner

SVP, Programming & Content Strategy, Global Media

Blue Ant Media

Table host

Steve Dickert

VP, Alternative Programming

Universal Television Alternative Studio

Table host

Cindy Wallis

Head of Program Acquisitions

REELZ Channel

Table host

Lori York

EVP TV and Film

Roc Nation

Table host

Jennifer Batty

Media Adviser, Global Streaming

Table host

Selina Nederhand

SVP & Co-Networks Head of Content Strategy & Acquisitions

Sony Pictures Television

Table host

Charlie Ibarra

Co-Founder & Head of Content

Creator Television

Speaking

Presenter

Mary Maddever

Senior EVP Realscreen/Chief Content Officer Brunico

Realscreen & NATPE Global

Presenter

Claire Macdonald

EVP, Executive Director, NATPE

NATPE Global & Realscreen

Join Dhar Mann, the visionary creator behind Dhar Mann Studios alongside CEO (and former MTV President) Sean Atkins, as they share insights into building a creator-driven brand that reaches 163M+ followers across platforms, and the ways in which traditional studios and creators can collaborate and benefit from each other’s strengths. At DMS, Dhar creates content that uplifts the world by helping people feel seen and connected, getting 296M views each week. He was also just named NFL’s Creator of the Week for Super Bowl LX. This session will explore how creators are building communities through meaningful content and how producers and executives from traditional media can use their expertise, and learn new tricks, within the creatorsphere.

Speaking

Sean Atkins

CEO

Dhar Mann Studios

Dhar Mann

Founder

Dhar Mann Studios

Simone Boyce

Journalist & Host

Join us for a compelling keynote conversation with Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media and recipient of the 2026 NATPE Honors Shift Disturber Award as he shares how Canada’s largest media and entertainment company is reshaping its strategy to compete — and thrive — on a global stage.  From transforming legacy media assets to building  the leading Canadian streamer, Crave,  Cohan will share how Bell Media is driving success by embracing great storytelling across news, entertainment and sports platforms,  forging smart partnerships domestically and internationally, and balancing locally resonant content with global ambition.

Speaking

Sean Cohan

President

Bell Media

Interviewer

Elaine Low

Staff Writer

The Ankler

Amazon MGM Studios is taking a fundamentally different approach to AI in entertainment—one rooted in empowering creators, protecting IP, and expanding what’s creatively possible. This conversation explores how technology, when designed with filmmakers at the center, becomes a catalyst for imagination rather than a constraint.

Drawing from real productions and real creative partnerships, we’ll hear how AI is helping filmmakers push boundaries, rethink process, and bring ambitious visions to life faster and more sustainably. It’s a look at how human-centric AI tooling can unlock new kinds of stories, new voices, and new opportunities—while setting a standard for how the industry evolves responsibly.

This is about possibility. It’s about leadership. And it’s about what happens when creators are given better tools and the freedom to dream bigger.

Speaking

Jonathan Verk

CEO

Social Department

Albert Cheng

Head of AI Studios

Amazon MGM Studios

Jon Erwin

Founder & Chief Content Officer

Wonder Project

The lines between social platforms, streamers, broadcasters and studios (as well as the roles played by producers, creators and brands) are getting blurrier by the day. As old models collide with new players and priorities, we're seeing the content business redefine in real time. This session digs into the shifts - from the rise of creator-driven studios and AI in production, to how brands and agencies are impacting development - providing context and guidance on what it means for the way the world makes, funds, and sells content now and next.

Speaking

Robert Sharenow

President of Programming

A+E Global Media

Eric Levin

Chief Content Officer

Publicis Media

Kim Larson

Global Managing Director & Head of Creators

YouTube

Verena Puhm

Head of Dream Lab LA

Luma AI

Alexandra Panousis

Former Agency CEO

Complimentary lunch will be provided on a first come first served basis

Romania is where cinematic magic meets unbeatable value. Renowned for its world-class crews, breathtaking and diverse locations, state-of-the-art production and postproduction facilities, the country offers an exceptional combination of quality and affordability. Plus, with a 30% cash rebate on eligible local expenditures, filming in Romania isn’t just an artistic win—it’s a smart business move. Discover why global productions are choosing Romania and how it could be the perfect setting for your next project.

This enlightening conversation with Anna Saalfeld, Head of P&G Studios will explore how the content production division of one of the world’s foremost consumer goods companies is redefining the intersection between brands and entertainment. The session will dive into where and how P&G Studios collaborates with production company partners, networks and streamers, and will explore what’s next for the studio.

Joining Anna will be Executive Producer, Loretha Jones, where they will talk about one of the projects coming out of P&G's Queen Collective initiative — a partnership with Procter & Gamble, Queen Latifah, Flavor Unit Entertainment, and Tribeca Studios.

Speaking

Anna Saalfeld

Head of P&G Studios

Procter & Gamble

Loretha Jones

Head of Content

Flavor Unit Entertainment

Interviewer

Michele Fino

Chief Storyteller

As social platforms, the creator economy, and AI disrupt traditional television economics, billions of dollars in value are disappearing while new winners are quietly emerging. In this session, leading private-equity investors, operators, and advisors unpack where capital flowed over the last decade, where it is moving now, and how M&A strategies are being rewritten across media, content, advertising, and IP. Get an unfiltered view of what models are investable, what assets are consolidating, and where acquisition opportunities are accelerating, and learn how production companies, studios, and distributors must transact, consolidate, and evolve¡­or risk irrelevance

Speaking

Alex Iosilevich

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Alignment Growth

Jared Frandle

Managing Director

Oaktree Capital Management

Xavier Kochhar

CEO & General Partner

XKE Capital

Matt Rivet

Partner

Altman Solon

These days, creators are building more than just channels. They're also building brands, shaping culture, and becoming increasingly important players in the global media landscape. This session will dive into what makes cross-over partnerships work, and the innovation this social-to-TV-platform movement is sparking in entertainment circles.

Speaking

Scott Winkler

Head of Commercial Partnerships

Dude Perfect

Kudzi Chikumbu

VP, Creator Partnerships

Tubi

Brooke Meister

Managing Director

Link Management

Alexandra Panousis

Former Agency CEO

In this intimate fireside chat, CBS News' David Begnaud interviews NATPE Honors Cause + Action recipient Wendy McMahon on the challenges, opportunities and transformation that's needed in the high-stakes stakes broadcast news landscape.
Currently an advisor at beehiiv, the former president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures is known for her track record reinvigorating broadcast news at CBS, and prior to that as president of ABC Owned Television Stations at Disney. McMahon, who is being recognized for championing journalistic integrity and local reporting, will share her learning from decades spent growing audiences, sparking collaboration, and making space for more voices by shaping new citizen journalism models.

Speaking

David Begnaud

Founder, CEO

Wendy McMahon

Former President and CEO, CBS News and Stations, CBS Media Ventures, and The Walt Disney Company

beehiiv

As NATPE Global kicks off and Realscreen Summit wraps, you're all invited to converge for one huge co-location co-celebration. Join the party for food, drinks and cross-industry connections.

The NATPE Buyers' Lounge is open for accredited buyers to host meetings in 30 minute increments. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers may arrange for their guests to check in at the welcome table to be shown to their meeting. In the event the tables are all occupied, the host and guest can meet at the check in desk and decide whether to wait, or to relocate their meeting. A chime will sound each 30 minutes to remind guests when to wrap up their meetings.

No sign-up is required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach room capacity.

 In the Streaming arena, success isn't just about keeping subscribers. It's about finding the right mix of monetization, adapting to content shifts and staying relevant as audiences bounce between platforms. From SVOD and AVOD to CTV and FAST, everyone’s fighting for attention and growth. Join top streaming executives as they share how they’re navigating this next phase of the streaming wars.

Complimentary coffee and breakfast buffet will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Speaking

Sarah Shriver

VP, Content Distribution, Partnerships & Programming, VOD & FAST

BBC Studios

Lisa Holme

Head of Content

Roku

Katelyn Kroneman

VP, Vertical Sales

Tubi

Jennifer Batty

Media Adviser, Global Streaming

Carlyn Staudt

President, Global Channels & Streaming

Blue Ant Media

In today’s converging media landscape, where the boundaries between studios, streamers, and social platforms continue to blur, content creation and distribution are changing every day. In this forward-looking panel, top studio and distribution executives discuss how they’re navigating the confluence of traditional and emerging models in a world where everything is becoming TV. To cover: how the market is adapting or needs to adapt to changing license fees, budgets, reduced commitments, etc.

Speaking

Elaine Low

Staff Writer

The Ankler

Prentiss Fraser

President

Fox Entertainment Global

Jens Richter

CEO Commercial and International

Fremantle

Kevin Beggs

Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Lionsgate Television Group and Chairman, International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Lionsgate Television Group

Join Luis Fernandez, Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, for an up close and personal look at the network's impressive momentum cementing Telemundo as the leading Spanish-language network on linear and streaming platforms. Hear about the company's strategy of ambitious investment in innovative, culturally relevant content and its successful push into new areas, including its leadership in live sports and exclusive Spanish-language coverage of premier global events like the FIFA World Cup.

Speaking

Luis Fernandez

Chairman

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Interviewer

Leila Cobo

Co-Chief Content Officer

Billboard Magazine

No sign-up is required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach room capacity.

Hear from some of the most in-demand scripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, plans, and priorities in an intimate and interactive (off-the-record) session.

Seating is limited to 75 delegates.

Adding this session to your agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Speaking

Presenter

Darren Melameth

SVP, Programming Strategy

Hallmark Media

Audiences are bingeing shorter stories more than ever and the micro-content  boom proves that less can be more. Hear how producers and platforms are leveraging bite size story telling and short form scripted series to build fandoms, reshape audience viewing habits and unlocking new opportunities.

Speaking

Bogdan Nesvit

CEO & Co-Founder

Holywater

Erick Opeka

President

Cineverse / MicroCo

Javier Pons

Chief Content Officer & Head of Telemundo Studios

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Dade Hayes

Business Editor

Deadline

Damián Villar

General Director of Content and Production

TelevisaUnivision

No sign-up is required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach room capacity.

Hear from some of the most in-demand scripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, plans, and priorities in an intimate and interactive (off-the-record) session.

Seating is limited to 75 delegates.

Adding this session to your agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Speaking

Presenter

Sergio Mendoza

VP, Scripted Development

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

DIALOG Mentor

Advance sign-up was required.

These 60-minute sessions are informal affairs designed to connect delegates with broadcasters, streamers, producers and development executives in a small-group setting. These sessions are not about pitching. They are opportunities to network, discuss trends and spark potential partnerships. Complimentary lunch will be provided.

Sign-ups opened Wednesday, January 7 at 11:00 am ET and closed Thursday, January 29 at 5:00 pm ET

Attendees who secured a spot in advance for Lunch with a Decision Maker should arrive at the session room 15-20 minutes prior to the session start time to check in with the room monitor and get processed. Showing up late may result in losing your spot.  

If you did not secure a spot in advance, we recommend showing up to the session room 20-30 minutes early to join the wait line. 

Speaking

Table host

Nikki Love

SVP Scripted Development & Production (ALLBLK/ WETV)

AMC Networks

Table host

Joe Rivadeneira

SVP, Development & Production

Beyond Productions

Table host

Andrea Harrick

Vice President, Content Acquisitions, Global Media

Blue Ant Media

Table host

Geoff Clark

CEO of Documentary+ & acTVe, Founder Free Live Sports

Documentary+ & acTVe, Free Live Sports

Table host

Michael Imbesi

Sr. Director, Global Content Strategy

LG Electronics USA

Table host

Adam Steinman

EVP, Global Formats & Acquisitions

Blink49 Studios

Table host

Ayn Prince

VP, Programming & Acquisitions

Hallmark Media

Go inside the making of a hit scripted series from early concept to the twists and turns of getting it made and the creative collaborations that came together to create a global success.

Speaking

Erwin Stoff

Founding Partner

3 Arts Entertainment

Scott Herbst

Head of TV Development

Lionsgate Entertainment

Lindsey Granger

Co-Owner

Gilded Focus Productions

Courtney Mock

SVP, Scripted Television Development

Lionsgate Entertainment

No sign-up is required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach room capacity.

Hear from some of the most in-demand scripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, plans, and priorities in an intimate and interactive (off-the-record) session.

Seating is limited to 75 delegates.

Adding this session to your agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Speaking

Presenter

Ryan Sharkey

Senior Vice President, Programming

The CW Network LLC

In a market flooded with content, shows don’t win because they exist — they win because audiences can find them. With marketing teams shrinking, networks and streamers need producers and IP owners who step in as true partners in audience development, not just suppliers of episodes. The teams who lean into discoverability are the ones seeing continued investment.

Speaking

JR Griffin

SVP, Digital

Fremantle

Christine Waage

Head of Sales

The Bold & The Beautiful

Jay Bennett

Senior Strategist

Shaftesbury

Mansha Daswani

Editorial Director

ScreenMDM

AI isn't a future bet—it’s already embedded in high-end production workflows.

This session bypasses the hype to focus on concrete, real world cases from planning and pre-production through VFX and distribution. We’re bringing together the AI innovators and producers currently delivering shows to show you exactly how they are reducing costs and hitting deadlines without sacrificing quality. No speculation, just an honest look at how AI is helping teams get premium content made under real-world constraints.

Speaking

Presenter

Ryan Khurana

Lead, Agents and Applications

TwelveLabs

Presenter

Sixte de Vauplane

Co-Founder & CEO

Animaj

Presenter

Danny Dunlap

Co-Founder

Sushi+FrenchFries

Presenter

Jonathan Verk

CEO

Social Department

Presenter

Max Einhorn

CEO

Gennie Studio

Join us for an intimate and insightful conversation with 2026 NATPE HonorsNorth Star recipient Kristin Dolan, CEO of AMC Networks and a true pioneer at the intersection of data and entertainment. This session celebrates Kristin as the recipient of the 2026 NATPE Honors North Star Award that recognizes career achievements of individuals whose strong leadership has had a bar-raising impact, providing guidance as the industry navigates change.

In this exclusive keynote, Kristin will share her strategy for navigating today’s changing media landscape. Hear how she is leading AMC Networks’ transition from a traditional cable business into a global, tech-focused content company driven by streaming and innovation.

Speaking

Kristin Dolan

Chief Executive Officer

AMC Networks

Interviewer

Elaine Low

Staff Writer

The Ankler

Scripted storytelling remains the heartbeat of the global entertainment business, but the rhythm is changing. Viewer habits are shifting, budgets are tighter, and the old financing playbook is being rewritten. In this candid conversation, executives from leading platforms share how they’re adapting to new deal structures, changing demand, and the stories that truly connect right now.

Speaking

Richard Middleton

Head of Content, International

Broadcast Magazine

Darren Melameth

SVP, Programming Strategy

Hallmark Media

Suzanna Makkos

Head, Comedy, ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals

ABC Entertainment

Justin Stockman

VP Content Development and Programming

Bell Media

Robert Schildhouse

President

BritBox

This is an invitation-only event. Adding this session to your calendar does not guarantee a spot. Only invited guests who RSVP’d will be guaranteed access.

The NATPE Honors pay tribute to trailblazing individuals whose creativity and visionary leadership are reshaping the entertainment industry.

Speaking

Honoree

Kristin Dolan

Chief Executive Officer

AMC Networks

Honoree

Courtney Mock

SVP, Scripted Television Development

Lionsgate Entertainment

Honoree

Sean Cohan

President

Bell Media

Honoree

Wendy McMahon

Former President and CEO, CBS News and Stations, CBS Media Ventures, and The Walt Disney Company

beehiiv

Host

Dulcé Sloan

Emmy Award Winning Comedian and Actress

Honoree

Izzet Pinto

Founder & CEO

Global Agency

The NATPE Buyers' Lounge is open for accredited buyers to host meetings in 30 minute increments. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers may arrange for their guests to check in at the welcome table to be shown to their meeting. In the event the tables are all occupied, the host and guest can meet at the check in desk and decide whether to wait, or to relocate their meeting. A chime will sound each 30 minutes to remind guests when to wrap up their meetings.

Join us on CoLab Day for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Daniel Alegre, CEO of the world's largest Spanish-language media company, TelevisaUnivision.

Discover how this global powerhouse is charting a path forward in a de-risking market. Alegre will reveal how TelevisaUnivision leverages its massive content library and powerful audience base to expand its global impact and relevance with next-gen consumers in streaming with ViX. From harnessing new formats like micro-content, to finding new ways to work with creators and brands, don't miss this road map to maximizing audience engagement, diversifying revenue streams, and expanding your partnering strategy.

What is Co-Lab
Co-Lab is a day dedicated to the new collaborators and piece-meal financing models that have become the co-pro go-to in the current derisking-focused market reality. Spark future creative and business partnerships through taking part in panels and networking roundtables that address opportunities amid the industry's growing desire and urgency to coproduce.
From the growing copro appetite in key markets like the UK, to media agency / brand-funded interest - meet with and learn from the players who are navigating and investing in this space.

Complimentary coffee and breakfast buffet will be available.
Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach room capacity.

Speaking

Daniel Alegre

Chief Executive Officer

TelevisaUnivision

Dade Hayes

Business Editor

Deadline

Financing TV has never been more complex or more critical. Production incentives, rebates, and financing structures are now front and center in early buyer conversations, not just back-end details. Hear from top producers, financiers, and studio executives as they unpack the new financial playbook for TV, where global deals increasingly mirror the indie production model and how they are navigating a reliance on a patchwork of incentives, regional perks, and shrinking envelopes.

What is Co-Lab
Co-Lab is a day dedicated to the new collaborators and piece-meal financing models that have become the co-pro go-to in the current derisking-focused market reality. Spark future creative and business partnerships through taking part in panels and networking roundtables that address opportunities amid the industry's growing desire and urgency to coproduce.
From the growing copro appetite in key markets like the UK, to media agency / brand-funded interest - meet with and learn from the players who are navigating and investing in this space.

Speaking

Rob Lee

Partner and Producer and Manager-Mainstay Entertainment

Mainstay Entertainment

Mark Bishop

Co-President

Blue Ant Media

Marie Leguizamo

Managing Director, Banijay Mexico and US Hispanic

Banijay Americas

Elianne Friend

SVP Digital Distribution

9 Story Media Group

In today’s market, getting a project made and seen by a global audience is rarely a straight line. Whether it’s a co-production or a strategic platform partnership, success requires balancing local relevance with massive global scale. In this session we will unpack the reality of aligning creative goals across borders, navigating rights, and building a strategy that works for broadcasters while leveraging global platforms to find new audiences and drive discovery.

What is Co-Lab
Co-Lab is a day dedicated to the new collaborators and piece-meal financing models that have become the co-pro go-to in the current derisking-focused market reality. Spark future creative and business partnerships through taking part in panels and networking roundtables that address opportunities amid the industry's growing desire and urgency to coproduce.
From the growing copro appetite in key markets like the UK, to media agency / brand-funded interest - meet with and learn from the players who are navigating and investing in this space.

Speaking

Emilio Schenker

CEO

SIPUR STUDIOS

Roko Izarra

General Director

PRODU

Adam Steinman

EVP, Global Formats & Acquisitions

Blink49 Studios

Lawrence Szabo

Executive Vice President, U.S. Content Distribution

BBC Studios

Roxana Rotundo

CEO of VIP 20000 TV/ Chair of the Board of WAWA

VIP 2000 TV

Industry leaders share how smart brand partnerships can fuel creativity, open new revenue streams, and help great content connect with audiences in unexpected ways.

What is Co-Lab
Co-Lab is a day dedicated to the new collaborators and piece-meal financing models that have become the co-pro go-to in the current derisking-focused market reality. Spark future creative and business partnerships through taking part in panels and networking roundtables that address opportunities amid the industry's growing desire and urgency to coproduce.
From the growing copro appetite in key markets like the UK, to media agency / brand-funded interest - meet with and learn from the players who are navigating and investing in this space.

Speaking

Allie Dvorin

SVP, PMCI Entertainment

Publicis

Roko Izarra

General Director

PRODU

Janina Lundy

Executive Vice President and Head, Marketing & Brand Partnerships

Hartbeat

Matt Rotondo

President

Sugar23

Advance sign-up was required.

Forge meaningful connections and dig deeper into the critical topics explored during the morning Co-lab sessions. This is a unique chance to continue the conversations from the stage and get personalized perspectives on the global co-production market.

Complimentary lunch will be provided.

Sign-ups opened Wednesday January 7 at 11:00 am EST and closed Thursday, January 29 at 5:00 pm EST.

Attendees who secured a spot in advance for Co-Lab Networking Lunch Roundtables should arrive at the session room 15-20 minutes prior to the session start time to check in with the room monitor and get processed. Showing up late may result in losing your spot.  

If you did not secure a spot in advance, we recommend showing up to the session room 20-30 minutes early to join the wait line. 

Speaking

Table host

Janina Lundy

Executive Vice President and Head, Marketing & Brand Partnerships

Hartbeat

Table host

Bryan Gabourie

EVP, Content Monetization & Head of Americas

Blue Ant Media

Table host

Lawrence Szabo

Executive Vice President, U.S. Content Distribution

BBC Studios

Table host

Marie Leguizamo

Managing Director, Banijay Mexico and US Hispanic

Banijay Americas

Table host

Matt Rotondo

President

Sugar23

Table host

Elianne Friend

SVP Digital Distribution

9 Story Media Group

Table host

Yigit Dogan Celik

Chairperson & CEO

Merzigo