Playback Pioneers

E06: Laurence Boyd Hosts James Abraham – From Red Bull Stratos to FIFA+: Reinventing Sports Storytelling.

Industry veteran James Abraham (exec producer & audience strategist) joins host Lawrence Boyd to trace a decade of breakthroughs in digital sport. They go inside Red Bull Stratos, Channel 4’s game-changing Paralympics coverage, the birth of BT Sport’s social-first playbook, Rugby Tonight’s “clubhouse” tone, innovations at World Rugby (including data-led speed graphics and Japan 2019), and building FIFA+ - from commissioning Captains (with Netflix) to that Messi ending. They also unpack Brazil’s digital rights pivot with R9’s Twitch co-stream, the Goalhanger stakeholder model, and what AI, personalization, and XR mean for the next 10 years. Lawrence Hodgson returns for a rapid-fire round that spans George Smiley to Sleaford Mods—and a wild post-final Messi moment. What to expect * The messy, magical reality behind “made-for-internet TV” moments * How tone of voice, access, and modular formats supercharge reach * Talent as stakeholders (not just endorsements) and why it works * Practical federation vs. broadcaster dynamics (and how to still innovate) * A clear-eyed take on highlights, VR, and athlete-owned IP futures Episode Time Stamps  * 00:00 Red Bull Stratos: making a web-first spectacle * 00:29 Why Captains was a “FIFA-only” story * 00:56 Messi’s fairytale ending (S2) * 01:25 Talent as stakeholders, not hires * 02:03 Show intro + relay format * 13:10 BT Sport’s social-first growth play * 17:30 Rugby Tonight: clubhouse tone, clippable by design * 25:10 World Rugby: new voice + simple data (speed graphics) * 27:31 Japan 2019: producing a Japanese World Cup * 31:53 FIFA+ launch; 33:22–34:48 Captains x Netflix access * 36:42–38:36 Brazil digital rights + R9 Twitch co-stream * 41:30–46:58 The next decade: highlights, AI, XR, athlete-owned IP * 57:57 Wild moment: Messi on shoulders, trophy in hand * 59:55 Pass-the-mic Q + report plug 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube.  🔁 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on the future of playback technology.

EP05 - Patrick Costello Hosts Laurence Boyd: Innovation Meets Adrenaline in the E1 Series

In this episode of Playback Pioneers, Patrick Costello (Senior Director of Business Development at Qualcomm) steps in as host to interview Laurence Boyd, Chief Content & Product Officer at E1 Series – the world’s first all-electric, foiling powerboat racing league. They explore how storytelling, real-time data, AI and immersive tech are shaping the next wave of sports content. From racing around icebergs to showcasing iconic global locations, the E1 Series is rewriting what it means to experience sport — both on and off the water. This one’s got adrenaline, innovation, and a whole lot of honesty about what it takes to build something new from scratch. Expect: ⚡ High-speed innovation in action 📡 AI and data in live sports production 🎥 Why storytelling still matters most 🌍 What makes E1 more than just another race Time stamps: 00:00 – Preview Trailer: What to Expect 01:31 – Introduction to Playback Pioneers 02:34 – Exploring E1 Series and Its Unique Challenges 09:14 – Innovative Use of Technology in E1 Series 12:10 – The Role of AI in Modern Sports 17:21 – The Importance of Human Element in Sports 25:03 – Challenges of Producing a New Sport 27:22 – Showcasing Locations in E1 Series 28:18 – Racing Around Icebergs: New Challenges Ahead 29:11 – Extended Reality in Sports: A New Frontier 31:01 – Innovations in Sports Technology: The XR Sports Alliance 33:18 – The Joy of Experimentation in Sports 34:14 – Celebrity Influence in Sports: A Unique Experience 35:03 – The Freedom to Innovate: Lower Risk Environments 37:52 – Challenging Assumptions in Sports Production 39:58 – Alternate Career Paths: Dreams and Aspirations 41:10 – Emerging Trends: AR and AI in Sports 45:23 – The Fun of E1 Series: More Than Just Celebrity 46:23 – Looking Ahead: The Future of Sports Content Consumption 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube. https://youtu.be/rjFBlZmKuu8 [https://youtu.be/rjFBlZmKuu8]🔁 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on the future of playback technology.

EP04 - Bleuenn Le Goffic Hosts Patrick Costello – Rewiring Media with XR, AI and Audience Trust

In Episode 4 of Playback Pioneers, Bleuenn Le Goffic (VP Business Transformation at Accedo) takes the mic to grill Patrick Costello (Senior Director, Business Development at Qualcomm) on what it really takes to push media forward in a tech-first but trust-starved world. This one dives deep into: * Why XR is more than a gimmick * Where AI is changing the rules for sports and video * The value of audience trust in a hype-filled industry * And the personal stuff too: including what Patrick would call the reality TV show based on his career (you’ll either cringe or clap) Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Playback Pioneers 02:00 – Bleuenn Takes the Host Role 03:00 – Exploring XR and Immersive Media 05:51 – Qualcomm’s Role in the XR Ecosystem 12:03 – Building Business Cases in Immersive Media 18:07 – Audience Engagement and Technology Adoption 24:05 – The Changing Vendor-Customer Relationship 29:48 – AI’s Impact on Media and Content 36:04 – Future of Data Strategy in Immersive Tech 36:54 – AI in Sports and Conversational Interfaces 39:41 – The "When, Not If" of AI Adoption 40:45 – Collaboration & Creativity in AI 42:31 – AI Disruption in Video Production 44:30 – Industry Innovation & Shifting Mindsets 46:52 – Ecosystem Collaboration in Tech 49:47 – Personal Reflections and Insights 52:31 – Empathy in Global Collaboration 54:30 – Quickfire Qs: Reality TV & Curveballs

EP03 - Ben Schwarz Hosts Bleuenn Le Goffic – Transforming Media from the Inside Out

🎙️ Ben Schwarz Hosts Bleuenn Le Goffic – Transforming Media from the Inside Out In this episode of Playback Pioneers, President of Greening of Streaming Ben Schwarz jumps into the host seat to lead a bold, honest conversation with Bleuenn Le Goffic, VP of Business Transformation at Accedo. Bleuenn brings over a decade of experience leading change at Accedo, where she’s been instrumental in driving sustainability, business strategy, and inclusive leadership across the organisation. In this wide-ranging discussion, she and Ben dig into what real transformation looks like in the media space—touching on AI, immersive tech, user behaviour, and the frameworks needed to build a more responsible and effective industry. If you're in streaming, digital media, or anywhere near the future of content—this is one you don’t want to miss. 🎯 What to expect — Sustainability as a strategic driver, not just a buzzword — Why XR and immersive tech need deeper engagement — The role of empathy in business transformation — What AI can actually do for user experience — How regenerative business models are reshaping the media ecosystem 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Playback Pioneers 02:22 – Sustainability in Media: The Transformation Tightrope 23:17 – Business Transformation in Media Organizations 33:03 – The Value Proposition of AI Investment 34:41 – Sustainability and Regenerative Business Models 35:12 – The Holistic Vision of Sustainability 37:31 – Empathy in Business Impact 38:35 – The Future of Immersive Technologies 39:03 – Engagement Challenges in XR 41:36 – AI's Role in Enhancing User Experience 46:29 – The Future of Immersive Media

EP02 - Thierry Fautier Hosts Ben Schwarz: The Truth About Streaming’s Carbon Footprint

🎙️ Playback Pioneers – Episode 2 Thierry Fautier Hosts Ben Schwarz – The Truth About Streaming’s Carbon Footprint In this episode of Playback Pioneers, Thierry Fautier (Former VP of Video Strategy at Harmonic and MD of Your Media Transformation) takes the host seat to sit down with Ben Schwarz, President of Greening of Streaming, for a candid conversation about sustainability in streaming. From what’s really driving energy consumption to why “bitrate reduction” isn’t the silver bullet it’s made out to be, Thierry and Ben dig deep into the challenges, contradictions, and future of greener streaming. Expect a smart, nuanced take on how the industry can (and must) evolve—along with some surprising personal insights along the way. This is not a greenwashing pitch—it's a reality check for the media tech world. Expect: 🌍 The truth behind streaming’s carbon footprint ⚙️ Why your home devices are the real energy culprits 📉 The limitations of bitrate reduction 📝 How RFPs and industry standards are shifting 💡 A look ahead at 2025 initiatives and real-time energy measurement 🎶 Baroque flutes, empathy, and streaming faves Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to Playback Pioneers Josh Seeley opens the episode and introduces Thierry and Ben. 01:49 – Sustainability in Streaming: A New Era Ben sets the scene for why the industry needs to think differently. 08:52 – The Role of Greening of Streaming How the organisation is creating space for collaboration and accountability. 13:02 – Understanding Key Sustainability Concepts Attributional vs. consequential data and why it matters. 19:05 – Current Energy Consumption Insights Ben breaks down where the biggest environmental impact actually lies. 22:38 – Comparing Device Power Consumption A closer look at home devices vs. networks and data centres. 27:47 – Impact of Bitrate on Power Consumption Why bitrate adjustments alone won’t save the planet. 33:15 – Sustainability in RFPs and Industry Standards How procurement is starting to demand change. 34:30 – Government Initiatives in Streaming Sustainability From content recycling to ESG guidance. 35:36 – The Green Button vs. Gold Button Debate Should viewers opt-in to eco modes, or should it be default? 37:52 – Key Initiatives for 2025 What’s ahead for Greening of Streaming and beyond. 41:11 – Technical Innovations for Energy Measurement Why measuring device usage is still a huge challenge. 43:19 – Personal Insights and Advice The best advice Ben’s ever received and lessons from his journey. 48:07 – Streaming Preferences and Trends What Ben watches—and why content variety still matters. 50:21 – Final Thoughts and Party Tricks A lighthearted wrap-up including a musical surprise.