Fremantle's Jens Richter on the rise of FAST and premium factual

As the winner of the C21 Digital Drama Pitch 2023 is revealed, judges Philippa Collie Cousins from UKTV, SVT’s Malin Nevander, Angie Stephenson of BBC Studios and Rai Fiction’s Lorenza Bizzarri discuss their decision and share their top tips for pitching to commissioners.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Fifth Season co-CEO Chris Rice on how the company formerly known as Endeavor Content is growing under the ownership of South Korea's CJENM and the way in which Wall Street pressure has prompted streamers to reappraise their models.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Cineflix Rights CEO Tim Mutimer reflects on the way global streamers are beginning to ease their position on exclusivity, opening opportunities for independent distributors alongside the rise of FAST channels.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: BBC Studios general manager of FAST channels Beth Anderson reflects on the rise of free ad-supported streaming TV and how it is invigorating licensing activity around library titles and creating new revenue streams.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Lionsgate Television Group chair Kevin Beggs reflects on the ripple effects of Wall Street last year becoming less enamoured of high-flying streamers and placing greater emphasis on the bottom line, with studios and platforms forging new relationships as a result.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE: BBC Children's head of commissioning and acquisitions 7+ Sarah Muller, RTÉ head of children's and young people's content Suzanne Kelly, DR Denmark head of children's programming Marten Skov Hansen, Cottonwood Media CEO David Michel, Visible Realms CEO Eliza Jäppinen, Wolkenlenker co-founder Sebastian Wehner and Zeptolab head of content Anna Schur consider the impact of the metaverse on kids' TV.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Matchbox Pictures MD Alastair McKinnon and director of scripted Debbie Lee reflect on how Netflix's surprise dip in subscribers last year put the handbrake on content spending and how this is likely to unfold in 2023, plus the shows the NBCUniversal-owned producer has coming up at home in Australia and overseas.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Adam Cunningham, chief strategy officer at Allied Global Marketing, offers his take on Web3 technology and the promise of the metaverse for entertainment versus the reality of present audience engagement.