Playback

In this episode of the Accedo Playback Podcast, we had a chat with Daniel Eneström, Head of Engineering for Europe and Latin America, and Daniel Astudillo, Head of Engineering for North America, to discuss the impact of AI on the streaming software industry, focusing on engineering challenges, expertise, and the evolving development landscape.AI has significantly lowered the barrier to building streaming software, allowing the first 80% of a project to be completed quickly. However, this comes with real costs: more security vulnerabilities, more code duplication, and engineers who understand less of what they've actually shipped.The conversation turns on what closes the remaining 20%: judgment built from hundreds of deployments, the kind that knows how systems fail together during a live event or why a phone experience needs different decisions than a living room one. Our guests also dive deep into the actual practices: managing shared context across teams and agents, what makes an effective agent harness, and why a hybrid of frontier and open-source models is likely where the industry lands as token costs rise. Topic discussed01:10 What's actually changed in AI-assisted development over the last two years02:28 Every team reaches the same 80% — and why that's no longer the differentiator05:32 The hidden cost of AI-assisted code: longer PRs, slower reviews, lower comprehension09:36 What "accumulated expertise earned over hundreds of deployments" means in practice13:04 Managing shared context across teams and AI agents at scale18:04 Building an effective agent harness: why inputs are king22:05 Frontier models vs. open-source tooling, and the case for a hybrid approach26:00 Is genuine differentiation still possible once AI raises everyone's floor?29:20 The one question technical leaders should be asking but usually aren't

In this episode of the Accedo Playback Podcast, Remon Fahim, Founder and Managing Director of Remon Consulting/ CFO at Creative Access and Fredrik Anderson, Co-Founder of Accedo, join host Bleuenn Le Goffic, Accedo's VP Business Transformation to tackle a question every media executive is wrestling with: how do you actually decide what's worth investing in when everyone's chasing AI, but almost no one can prove the return?For years, the execution strategy behind a technology investment was less of an issue than the debate of build versus buy, or how to differentiate. Now with AI, things changed and the investment decision itself is the hard part.This episode's conversation traces why: a wave of "demand sophistication" has made products and solutions far more complex, product and engineering teams are struggling to translate that complexity into a business case a CFO can actually sign off on, and the pressure to move — driven as much by fear of falling behind as by any clear ROI — is pushing companies to invest before they've defined what outcome they're even chasing.Timeline00:10 Introduction: the AI investment decision is what executives can't confidently make.05:40 Is it harder for a CFO to sign off on AI investments than it used to be?09:36 Is the sheer number of new tech possibilities making the outcome analysis shallower?13:35 Is there a "readiness" fast-track companies need before AI investment even makes sense?16:44 Are strategy and execution really two separate problems, or the same one?21:50 Do CFOs need to fundamentally change how they evaluate the business case itself?26:05 Should companies rethink their whole platform, or focus on smaller automations?31:12 What's the first question a CPO should ask about their own platform's composability?33:29 What should CFOs be challenging product and engineering teams to answer?36:44 What should people actually be looking for at IBC 2026?

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 implementation05:32 The last mile problem in complex streaming environments08:50 Device fragmentation and the ceiling AI can't lower11:30 How AI changes the relationship between client and tech partner17:18 Maintaining context in long-term embedded engagements21:34 Domain expertise, regional compliance and the 20% that matters28:40 The future of FDE: from building to governing agentic workflows

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

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 Takeaways02:41 XR and Immersive Media Use Cases03:54 Device Fragmentation in OTT05:14 New Entrants & Micro Dramas07:20 Digital Third Spaces & Social Discovery10:09 M&A Strategy: Consolidation vs Separate Brands14:16 Sports Investment & Audience Expansion15:20 OTT Operational Efficiency16:52 Practical AI Applications & Regulation

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 202603:50 What types of M&A could actually deliver value next year?06:45 Why sports rights remain so valuable11:50 Advice for those starting an OTT service: strategy before tech14:30 What could be the best-positioned niches for 202616:50 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.

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 – 02:00Why now is the moment to test and learn in XR – 05:30XRSA’s first deployment with the E1 Series and lessons learned – 08:40What immersive really adds for fans, and who needs to be convinced internally – 19:45User testing insights: motion sickness, content formats, and reuse for social – 22:18Interactive XR, brand engagement, and the path to monetization – 29:00Practical advice on KPIs, rights constraints, and how to get started with XR today – 39:00

In this episode of Playback, host Bleuenn Le Goffic, VP Business Transformation at Accedo is joined by Michael Schmidt, Global Director, Industry Partnerships at AWS and Simon McGrath, Chief Marketing office at Merapar to explore how AI’s role in media and entertainment is rapidly evolving from experimental projects to fully operationalized, business-critical systems. Together, they dive into the rise of agentic AI, composable architectures, and FinOps, and how these trends are reshaping technology investment, cost management, and audience engagement. 3:39 AI’s development in Media & Entertainment industry - have we moved past experimentation to operational use cases?12:01 What would be the impact of AI on investment strategy and software procurement?18:08 How AI distills data into decision points and reduces time to resolve operational events.25:27 A shift in AI strategy to focus on growth, subscriber acquisition, churn reduction, and monetization strategies.33:38 The future of OTT and consumer experience with AI

In this episode, Stephen Shaw (Senior Solutions Architect at New Relic) and Luke Gaydon (Head of Offering and Portfolio Management at Accedo) talk about the hurdles organizations face when deploying observability tools, and why it’s time for the industry to stop flying blind. From real client objections to the evolution of the technology itself, they explore and exchange experiences on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the risks of waiting too long to embrace the next-gen OTT observability stack.

How do you turn an idea into a growing streaming business? It takes more than just great content—and our guest speakers know it well. In this episode, David Guinan (General Manager at Major League Table Tennis) and David MacPhie (Global Sales Director at Accedo One) dive into the must-ask questions and practical decisions every organization faces before going to market: Is there real demand for your service? What monetization model makes the most sense for your content? How should you split your first-year investment? And which tech is the best fit for a greenfield project like this? With firsthand stories from launching, running, and advising OTT platforms, they unpack what works, how needs evolve as your service hits key growth milestones, and what they’d do differently if they were starting all over again.00:58 - What are the first things you consider when starting an OTT service?04:38 - How should a startup/nascent video service go about making decisions to define their OTT technology strategy? 11:55 - How do you build a brand and tackle marketing as a new service?17:28 - What are the most useful/critical analytics data points?23:10 - What to focus on when you have a running service?40:35 - How do you budget for your service among technology, operational team, marketing, etc.?

Mathias Johnson (Product Manager, Hibox) and Rasmus Almqvist (VP Global Sales) join us to explore how video is transforming the guest and patient experience across the hospitality, healthcare, and enterprise sectors.They explain how Hibox as a global provider of interactive TV and OTT solutions is driving innovation by enabling seamless, multi-screen video services tailored for hotels, hospitals, and workplace environments.Topics covered include typical user journeys in hospitality and healthcare (2:25), shifts in the hospitality industry and staying ahead of the competition (11:40), monetization strategies across verticals (15:00), and how to drive adoption through innovation (29:05).

Featuring Vijay Sajja (Founder and CEO of Evergent Technologies) and Michael Lantz (Co-founder and CEO of Accedo), this episode dissects the critical shift from pure subscriber growth to sustainable monetization in video streaming. The conversation explores the resulting challenges and delves into potential future monetization options that can effectively balance revenue generation and user experience. Vijay and Michael also touch upon the vital role of analytics and usage data in unlocking successful OTT monetization and share the hyper-critical success factors that, based on their experience, are often overlooked by streaming providers and can hinder a profitable business.00:56 How can OTT services balance monetization and user experience to maximize revenue while retaining subscribers?02:57 How can frontends/UX's affect user choices when it comes to subscriptions?08:36 How will subscription tiers change or trend in the next 3-5 years?18:20 What role does data and analytics play in the future of OTT monetization?29:50 What are some aspects when developing or operating an OTT service that are hyper critical, but often not considered?

Recorded live at NAB 2025, this episode explores the findings of the latest industry study on Streaming Analytics in the Age of AI, led by Mrugesh Desai (VP North America) and Professor Serguei Netessine (The Wharton School). Guest speakers David Guinan (Major League Table Tennis), Kirby Grines (Founder & CEO at The Streaming Wars), and Jesús Herrero Valverde (Co-founder at Jump AI Technologies) share their real-world experiences and discuss how leading video streaming platforms are currently leveraging data analytics to enhance the viewing experience. They discuss the current analytics landscape (2:54), challenges in live sports (4:58), KPIs and data quality (7:54), how AI is influencing decision-making (12:55), quality of service metrics (16:35), the shift toward real-time analytics (21:00), inefficiencies in analytics tools (24:35), the evolution of personalization (27:10), and what’s next for AI in streaming (32:20).

Pernilla Wraneus and Sadie Groom take the stage in this special episode celebrating Women’s History Month. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, inclusive leadership, and industry-wide efforts to create equal opportunities for women in media and technology.They discuss Sadie’s career journey in the media tech space (1:15), the inspiration behind Rise (9:18), what companies can do to support women into leadership roles (14:55), strategies for achieving workplace diversity (19:10), and the qualities of a good mentor (22:35).Learn more about Rise here.Music by: Jahzzar

In this episode, Neil van Zyl talks to Chris McNair, Head of New Business & Strategy at Accedo, and Paddy Buckley, Business Development Director at Accedo, about how publishers can no longer wait with implementing a video-first strategy, taking cues from broadcasters and the wider media and entertainment industry. The discussion centers around themes such as the importance of owning the entire customer journey, how long-form video opens up new routes to monetization, and how big screen applications are a powerful complement to a publisher's existing web and mobile presence. The guests also share their top UX best practices as well as insight into how video can be used to boost both user satisfaction and ad revenues.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In this conversation, the guests Tommy Flanagan and Mrugesh Desai cover key themes such as the focus on profitability, innovative monetization strategies, the impact of AI and personalization, lessons from Netflix's success, device expansion strategies, and the ongoing fragmentation in the TV OS landscape. The dialogue also explores the rise of multi-view support, insights from CES, the shift towards managed services, and the importance of personalization in streaming experiences. Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

Will Pickett and François Polarczyk discuss the multifaceted aspects of sustainability in the streaming business, emphasizing the importance of assessing the impacts of companies on society as well as the environment. They explore the complexities of emissions reporting (3:00), the DIMPACT initiative aimed at reducing emissions in digital media (6:04), and the ECOFLOW project focusing on energy consumption in the streaming supply chain (10:00). The conversation also highlights carbon offsetting (27:07), and the role of AI in sustainability (32:35).Learn more about the ECOFLOW project and Accedo’s sustainability initiatives.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In the latest episode, Neil Van Zyl had the honour of hosting Kirby Grines, founder of 43Twenty and The Streaming Wars, and Mrugesh Desai, Accedo's VP of North America, to discuss the evolving landscape of the streaming and OTT industry. They explore the importance of user experience (5:20), the challenges media companies face in adapting to new technologies (11:44), and the need for collaboration over competition (18:03). The conversation also touches on the significance of cost efficiency (27:24), SEO strategies (41:27), and the future outlook for the industry amidst ongoing changes. Check out The Streaming Wars.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

The conversation with Chris McCarthy, Industry Solutions Lead, New Relic, and Steven Kopec, Head of Service Management, Accedo, sheds light on the vital role of observability and metrics, the proactive nature of observability tools in resolving platform issues, and touch on key trends such as generative AI and the integration of diverse data sources.To learn more about how to tackle observability challenges, download this ebook.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In an insightful conversation with Vishal Parikh, CPO, LiveLike, the episode discusses how interactivity can help retain users(2:00), increase revenue opportunities, and capture valuable user data. Vishal highlights how sports and entertainment brands leverage engagement and interactivity (7:00) and how LiveLike's platform, with its unique features, enables audience engagement and gamification with loyalty and rewards programs (14:31).The discussion also includes the crawl-walk-run approach to implementing engagement and interactivity features (19:07) and the exciting developments at LiveLike, including the rewards platform and mini-games. (22:35)Check out LiveLike.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In Episode 12, our host, Neil van Zyl and guest Eric Tang, CTO and founder of LivePeer, discuss the high-performance and cost-effective video streaming platform and the benefits of blockchain and decentralization in the video ecosystem (1:47). They also explore the potential for alternative revenue streams for creators and the concept of digital scarcity (2:55). Tang also highlights the use of blockchain technology for content authenticity and the importance of choosing the right infrastructure for live streaming (5:44). He shares insights on the challenges of monetization, the rise of interactive live streaming, and the need for content segmentation and operational efficiency.Check out https://livepeer.org/Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In the latest episode, our host Neil is joined by Siva Natarajan, SVP, Amagi, to explore the dynamic world of FAST. Tune in on your favorite podcast platforms as they dive into the rise of original content in FAST (6:06) and examine how big media brands are making strategic moves into this space.Siva also shares why Single IP Channels have succeeded (9:50), and invaluable advice for content owners looking to enter the FAST market (19:50) detailing the essential steps to prepare assets and businesses for a successful transition.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

Michael Lantz, founder and CEO of TV app specialist Accedo, buries the hatchet with some contentious coverage on the pages of Faultline from years gone by.Fast forwarding to the present day - managed services, personalization, acquisitions, and the "new media" customer all come under the microscope in this exclusive interview.Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In part 2 of our UX series, continuing our conversation with Nikki Perugini, our host, Neil van Zyl, delves into the trends and predictions in UX Design that we foresee in the upcoming period. Tune in to the episode to gain thought-provoking insights on Content Discovery and how to end the pain point for users (1:30), how interactive video is growing (8:12), and what are Super Apps and why is it popular in Asia? (14:30).Music by: ⁠Jahzzar⁠

In episode 10, part 1, of Playback, Nikki Perugini and Sonia Lafontaine, explore what UX in OTT entails and how it goes beyond aesthetics- functional design, intuitive navigation, and accessibility across devices (1:06). They also share insights about the advantages of user research (5:16), the considerations for designing a high-quality UX (11:58), the common design pitfalls (20:20), and the role that automation plays for UX designers (25:07).  Tune in to the full episode, which delves deeper into how a focused UX strategy can provide actionable insights for your product growth. Music by: ⁠⁠Jahzzar

In this episode, we explore the critical aspects of OTT that have changed, improved, or remained constant over the last decade. From the rise of Roku as a dominant force in the streaming device market (3:11) to the emergence of ad-supported streaming models (5:30), the OTT space has seen substantial shifts.  The conversation also delves into how user expectations and their viewing experience have led to high-end UX enhancements (7:20), the proliferation of sports OTT services due to advanced tech (15:41), and how the strategic use of contextual/dynamic ads can interact with users while bringing in revenue (24:07). Read more on BNS Inc.: https://boldnew.com/ Music by: ⁠Jahzzar

Dive into the near future of the OTT and the streaming industry with our latest podcast episode, straight from CES 2024. Our host, Neil van Zyl, and our guests, Mrugesh Desai, Ashley Desatnik, and Pritesh Modi, dissect the trends and innovations unveiled at the event (3:59), the changes in consumer behavior, and the essential strategies OTT providers need to adopt for both immediate and long-term success (8:29). They also share their bold predictions for the year (24:17), highlighting the emergence of new sports digital services, shoppable experiences, how bundling services can provide value to users, and more. 

Episode 7 of Playback is a conversation with industry expert, Michael Chan, focused on considerations and tactics for delivering a best-in-class OTT application.  Our co-hosts, Stanley Auger and Neil van Zyl, discuss what the discovery phase entails (4:35), the challenges with project timelines and how to manage it (11:30), the importance of QA automation (28:59), and how to determine the scope and evolution of a streaming service post-launch (26:52). https://www.accedo.tv/event/ces-2024 Music by: ⁠⁠Jahzzar

Whether you are a sports fan or just in the world of sports in any capacity, our latest episode is a must listen. With digital sports delivery gaining traction in a myriad of ways, our co-hosts, sat down with industry expert Michael Shewchenko, VP of Digital Operations, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, to discuss how sports OTT has the potential to reach an increasing number of fans and bring them back to the stadiums through engaging video experiences (7:02).  The conversation further delves into the biggest challenges that the industry faces (11:25), streaming and distribution rights acquisition for NBA (15:55), the latest tech innovations integrated into sports experiences to delight users (21:49) and the marketing potential that docuseries offers (35:33). Music by: ⁠Jahzzar

Today, we release a special episode of our podcast -  Playback! Our co-hosts sat down with the founders of Accedo, Michael Lantz, CEO, and Fredrik Andersson, VP of Products, to learn about Accedo's genesis story (2:20), the challenges they faced (11:08), and the guiding principles we've employed to continue our 20-year journey in the video streaming industry (6:12).  They also reveal how many IBCs they’ve attended over the years (it could be a record…), why they are excited about IBC this weekend (30:48), and the innovations they look forward to being a part of in the next 10 years (40:53).  If you are attending IBC, meet the team at booth 5.F40. Music by: ⁠Jahzzar

In the latest episode of Playback, our co-hosts discuss Apple's Vision Pro and how the headset has reignited the XR industry with our expert guests - Lucy Nguyen, Business Development Director, Accedo, and José Somolinos, Solutions Strategist & XR Lead, Accedo. The discussion delves into Apple's foray into spatial computing, how Apple Vision Pro creates immersive experiences for the mass market, and the headset's impact on media and entertainment services. With the OEMs making waves and discussing strategies since the headset's launch, the guests highlight why it is crucial for content providers to build an XR strategy now and understand how the enhanced experiences are what the end-user expects. Read more on this topic in Lucy's blog:  Apple Vision Pro and its impact on the media industry If you'd like to share your thoughts/questions, please write to: [email protected] Music by: Jahzzar

For our latest podcast episode, our co-hosts Stanley and Neil, dive deep into Online Video Platforms (OVPs) with Brightcove's Director of Sales Engineering, Carl Rutman (1:45). Since OVPs are a core part of the video ecosystem and with many vendors in the market, Carl shares vital factors to consider when selecting an OVP and how Brightcove's underleveraged features (27:25), flexibility, and Context Aware Encoding (CAE) reduce the complexity of deploying and managing a profitable video service.  Also, learn about a CDN's role in delivering seamless streaming. And, how are OVPs going to use generative AI to increase user engagement and viewer retention (34:35)? If you'd like to share your thoughts/questions, please write to: [email protected] Feel free to check out Brightcoves Website Music by: Jahzzar

With the industry experts gathered in one place and the trade show back to its original glory, we wanted to bring you some key insights straight from the Centennial show floor. So, for our second episode of Playback, Neil asked our customers, partners, and fellow Accedonians what their most interesting or unexpected takeaway was from NAB this year. While some guests focused on monetizing content and scalable growth by delighting customers, others mentioned the use of AI and its impact on the OTT industry. Tune in as our co-hosts, Stanley Auger and Neil van Zyl, deep dive into the trends and tech developments that are shaping the industry. Special thanks to everyone we interviewed at NAB. Your insight was invaluable and we hope to see you again next year! If you'd like to share your thoughts/questions, please write to: [email protected] Music by: Jahzzar

In our first episode, our co-hosts, Stanley and Neil break down the upcoming NAB Show with Accedo's VP of North America, Mrugesh Desai. The conversation drills into what NAB means to the OTT industry, key trends (FAST, XR/VR, sustainability and more), what we hope to see at the show, and what Accedo will be showcasing. If you'd like to share your thoughts/questions, please write to: [email protected] Music by: Jahzzar

Playback focuses on discussing tech advancements, trends, deployment strategies, certification best practices, and news around the OTT and streaming industry. Steering the convos are our co-hosts, Stanley Auger and Neil van Zyl. If you'd like to share your thoughts/questions, please write to: [email protected] Music by: Jahzzar