Digital third spaces, XR sports and smarter operations — What’s next for streaming? (CES 2026 reflections)

The Last Mile: Where AI Stops and Expertise Begins in Streaming, with Michael Chan and Edit Kovacs

How far can AI actually take you in a running streaming service? In this episode, Accedo's Edit Kovacs, VP of Europe and Latin America, and Michael Chan, VP of Operations North America, make the case for forward deployed engineering in the AI era. While AI has made the first 80% faster than ever, the last mile, the challenges from device fragmentation, DRM compliance, recommendation engines that need continuous care, and still demands something no model can provide: engineers with deep domain knowledge and enough scar tissue to know what breaks in production and why. The build-and-handover model is no longer fit for purpose. The future belongs to long-term embedded partnerships focused on continuous operation, evolution, and outcomes. Timeline: 01:15 What is forward deployed engineering and why now? 04:15 Why AI has shifted the bottleneck from models to implementation 05:32 The last mile problem in complex streaming environments 08:50 Device fragmentation and the ceiling AI can't lower 11:30 How AI changes the relationship between client and tech partner 17:18 Maintaining context in long-term embedded engagements 21:34 Domain expertise, regional compliance and the 20% that matters 28:40 The future of FDE: from building to governing agentic workflows

Inside 20 Years of Streaming PR with Helen Weedon, Founder of Radical Moves

What does 20+ years in streaming PR teach you about what actually matters? In this episode, host Neil Van Zyl sits down with Helen Weedon, founder of Radical Moves PR, for a candid look at how the streaming industry has evolved, told through the lens of someone who has been shaping its communications from the very beginning. Helen brings a refreshing and rare perspective: not as a technologist or operator, but as a PR strategist who has watched trends rise, fall, and reinvent themselves across two decades. From crafting early IPTV messaging to navigating the AI hype cycle today, she offers sharp, honest takes on what's changed, what hasn't, and what the industry still hasn't quite figured out. In this episode, we cover: * [00:47] How the streaming industry has evolved over the past two decades * [05:57] Trends that didn't pan out - including the rise and fall of 3D TV * [07:32] XR and why it still hasn't had its moment - but might be close * [11:03] The shift away from "the next Netflix" toward niche and regional services * [15:51] The biggest PR waves in streaming: OTT and the move to cloud * [18:31] What's next: AI, authenticity, hybrid monetization, and new ad formats * [23:51] What still excites Helen after 20+ years in the industry

Digital third spaces, XR sports and smarter operations — What’s next for streaming? (CES 2026 reflections)

Mrugesh Desai, VP of North America at Accedo looks back at CES 2026 and unpacks the trends he observed at the event that are about to shape the next phase of streaming. From the rise of digital third spaces and co-viewing experiences to increased investment in immersive XR sports, they examine how platforms are rethinking engagement, discovery, and audience expansion. The conversation also covers micro dramas entering Western markets, the ongoing impact of device fragmentation, and the strategic trade-offs between consolidation and standalone brands. On the operational side, they dive into efficiency, AI-assisted development, personalization through agentic AI, and the broader implications of synthetic content and regulation. While sparked by observations from CES 2026, the discussion focuses on the long-term shifts redefining OTT strategy in 2026 and beyond. 00:32 General CES 2026 Takeaways 02:41 XR and Immersive Media Use Cases 03:54 Device Fragmentation in OTT 05:14 New Entrants & Micro Dramas 07:20 Digital Third Spaces & Social Discovery 10:09 M&A Strategy: Consolidation vs Separate Brands 14:16 Sports Investment & Audience Expansion 15:20 OTT Operational Efficiency 16:52 Practical AI Applications & Regulation

Surviving in the streaming industry and what to look out for in 2026, ft. Accedo’s co-founders Michael Lantz and Fredrik Andersson

In this episode of Accedo Playback, host Neil Van Zyl is joined by Accedo co-founders Michael Lantz and Fredrik Andersson for a forward-looking conversation on where the streaming industry is headed and what video businesses should be preparing for next. Drawing on decades of industry experience, they reflect on how recent market shifts are influencing strategic decision-making across OTT, and what these changes mean for sustainable growth in the years ahead. The discussion offers practical perspectives on how streaming services can navigate increasing complexity, balance innovation with profitability, and make smarter long-term choices around monetization, technology, and operations. You will gain insight into how industry dynamics are evolving, where real opportunities may emerge, and how media organizations can position themselves to stay competitive as the market continues to mature. This episode is aimed at anyone looking to better understand the strategic forces shaping the future of OTT and to gain informed, experience-driven guidance on how to adapt in an increasingly fragmented and fast-changing video landscape. 00:55 Reflections on the biggest macro surprises in 2025 and how they will shape 2026 03:50 What types of M&A could actually deliver value next year? 06:45 Why sports rights remain so valuable 11:50 Advice for those starting an OTT service: strategy before tech 14:30 What could be the best-positioned niches for 2026 16:50 Agentic AI use cases in 2026; how will Accedo Compose help? 25:28 What is the industry paying too much attention to, and what isn’t getting enough focus? 30:10 Final remarks and what to look out for in 2026.

Inside XRSA: Building the business case for immersive sports experiences, lessons from real-word deployment

Host Lucy Trang Nguyen (Director of Strategic Alliances & Business Development for Emerging Technologies, Accedo) is joined by Laurence Boyd (Chief Content & Product Officer, E1 Series) and Charles-Edwin Root (Digital Manager, HBS) to unpack the first pilot of the XR Sports Alliance (XRSA) — and what it means for rights holders, broadcasters, and tech partners who are beginning to take immersive seriously. Using XRSA’s real-world deployment with the E1 Series as a case study, the discussion goes behind the scenes of bringing XR into live sports. You’ll hear how the teams approached strategy, operations, and collaboration, and what they learned from capturing immersive content on boats, buoys, podiums, and in XR headsets. Learn where XR in sports is today, what actually resonates with fans, and how to build toward sustainable monetization instead of isolated experiments. * What XRSA is and why it matters for the industry – 02:00 * Why now is the moment to test and learn in XR – 05:30 * XRSA’s first deployment with the E1 Series and lessons learned – 08:40 * What immersive really adds for fans, and who needs to be convinced internally – 19:45 * User testing insights: motion sickness, content formats, and reuse for social – 22:18 * Interactive XR, brand engagement, and the path to monetization – 29:00 * Practical advice on KPIs, rights constraints, and how to get started with XR today – 39:00