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

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🔁 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on the future of playback technology.

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)

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

🎙️ 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

🎙️ 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.

In this episode of Playback Pioneers, host Tommy Flanagan sits down with industry heavyweight Thierry Fautier, (Former VP of Video Strategy at Harmonic, and MD of Your Media Transformation) for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the state of streaming. From reflections on two decades of transformation in video tech to sharp takes on AI, UHD, and the messy middle of CDN evolution, nothing is off the table. Together, they break down the real blockers to progress in the streaming world - and what needs to change. With a healthy dose of insight, honesty, and humour, this episode offers a front-row seat to the minds shaping the future of media.

00:00 – Welcome to Playback Pioneers 5V Video's Josh Seeley opens up the conversation introducing Tommy and Thierry.

08:48 – 20 Years in the Stream: Thierry’s Journey Thierry reflects on his two-decade-long career, lessons learned, and how staying relevant means constantly reinventing yourself.

15:36 – Compression Tech: The Unsung Hero The pair dive into how advances in compression have quietly powered the streaming boom—and where it's headed next.

20:43 – Live Sports: Why It’s Still a Tech Headache They unpack the chaos of live sports streaming, latency nightmares, and why innovation here is still so tough.

27:04 – UHD, AI & the Road Ahead A frank chat about AI’s role in the future of UHD. Is it helping or just adding buzzwords?

32:36 – Advertising in 2025: Smarter or Creepier? From smarter targeting to ethical concerns, they explore where digital advertising is heading, and who benefits most.

39:12 – CDNs & Live: What Needs to Change? The evolution of content delivery networks and the crucial role of edge computing come into focus.

44:25 – Time to Let Go: Tech Trends That Need Retiring Not every innovation is worth keeping, Tommy and Thierry share what trends they’d like to leave behind.

51:16 – Quickfire Qs & Lighter Moments Josh returns to wrap up the session with some quick-fire questions.

Behind every breakthrough in video, there’s messy, honest and unfiltered stories. So, we’re going to help tell them. Introducing our brand new initiative. The Playback Pioneers podcast🎤 – the podcast that passes the mic to the people, companies, and communities shaping the future of playback experiences. No generic talking points. No polished PR spin. Just raw, real conversations between the people solving streaming’s biggest challenges and pushing the limits of playback technology. Born from our Playback Pioneers Report, this podcast flips the script—with a 'Pass the Baton' format where each guest becomes the next host. Every episode brings a fresh voice, new energy, and exclusive insights. All facilitated by our very own Joshua SEELEY. Hosts and guests who are already passing the baton: 🎤 Tommy Flanagan (Faultline) → Thierry Fautier⬇️ ➡️🎤 Thierry Fautier → Benjamin Schwarz (Greening of Streaming)⬇️ ➡️🎤 Ben Schwarz → Bleuenn Le Goffic (Accedo.tv)⬇️ And, that's just the start. More hosts and guests will be announced very soon. EPISODE 1 LAUNCH - 24.4.25