Latest news with #BillAbbott
Business Insider
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Will AI kill TV or make it smarter? Media execs share 5 key ways the industry is transforming
For all the attention AI gets, some entertainment industry veterans think it's still under-discussed — and underestimated. "We're in the first inning of generative AI. It's going to explode — absolutely explode — and people do not see it coming," said Bill Abbott, the CEO of Great American Media, which showcases family-friendly and faith-based movies. But how are media companies already using AI? Business Insider recently heard from 11 media and entertainment leaders about how they've already implemented AI — and the breakthroughs they think it could deliver soon. Execs from companies like A+E Global Media and YouTube shared how AI can bring better recommendations and search features while transforming how content is delivered globally. 1. Recommendations that really know you Audiences are drowning in an ocean of content, and many companies are betting AI-enabled recommendations can serve as a life raft. There are dozens of streaming services, nearly 2,000 always-on channels on free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST), and an endless firehose of user-generated content on YouTube and TikTok. In this cutthroat battle for attention, content providers are using AI to make smarter suggestions about what to watch based on a viewer's interests, watch history, or even the time of day. "We've really gone from the era of peak TV to the era of personalized TV," said Adam Lewinson, free streamer Tubi's content chief. Lewinson said the popular free streamer's tailored recommendations have helped lure younger viewers from social media, video games, and texting. A Tubi spokesperson said the streamer has used machine learning to personalize home screens for the last eight years, and the recommendations have improved and become more sophisticated over time. The anime-focused streamer Crunchyroll is also curating personalized recommendations with AI, said Brian McGarvey, its global distribution head. Several streaming execs said they see this as a weapon in an existential battle against TikTok and YouTube. "If the FAST universe doesn't move in that direction, my perception is that it will fail," said Erick Opeka, the strategy chief at free streamer Cineverse. 2. Search is getting smarter Algorithms aren't the only way to find what to watch next. Platforms like Netflix are using AI-powered search to improve content discovery. Viewers can search by genre, theme, and vibe — or by using natural language, like "scary, but not too scary" or "I need something to cheer me up." "You can search across all kinds of parameters, in ways you could not search before," said Tony Huidor, Cineverse's chief product officer. The company just released an AI-powered search engine called CineSearch, which other streamers can license. It also includes a chatbot. Streamers' search engines have often relied historically on simple metadata, like the title or actors. Scott Alexander of digital video software firm Bitcentral said that before AI search, a query that didn't include terms from the title or description would likely fail. AI search features can help change that by mimicking how a person would help someone choose a movie. 3. A/B testing to infinity AI also allows video platforms and content creators to do more testing on the creative front. Streamers have tested multiple thumbnails for years, but now they can use AI-powered A/B tests to supercharge their efforts. This could better connect audiences with content while saving time, said Abhishek Neralla, a content exec at A+E Global Media. A+E hasn't yet used AI for these A/B tests but is exploring doing so. Bitcentral's Alexander said that with AI, media companies can leave less to chance by creating a few hundred or even 1,000 different versions of an ad with small variations that advertisers can test to see which gets the most engagement. AI could also help with the creative process itself. Paul Snow, YouTube TV's head of sports and studio partnerships, said tools like Google's Gemini can also help make brainstorming new videos easier. He said these AI tools can "reduce the amount of time" creators need to spend deciding what topic to tackle next. 4. Going global, instantly AI promises to give media companies and creators the opportunity to help their videos travel around the world. YouTubers can now instantly add AI-enabled subtitles or dubbing in different languages, said Fede Goldenberg, YouTube's head of TV and film partnerships. Creators who only speak English can put their videos in Spanish, Japanese, Hindi, or other languages, which presents an opportunity to reach legions of new fans. The inverse is also true, as global creators can more easily connect with English speakers. That could make the US market even more competitive. "We're now able to dub and subtitle all of our content," said Eric Orrantia, the sales exec at Korean streaming service ODK Media. Orrantia said this helped ODK grow its viewership from around 5.5 million people in Asia to roughly 60 million engaged viewers globally. 5. How far will AI special effects go? While AI has tantalizing potential, it's a double-edged sword for creators since AI-generated content could also distract viewers from movies and TV shows made by humans. AI video tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3 have pushed the limits of what is possible in video generation. However, the days of creating studio-caliber footage at the push of a button have not yet arrived, said Joshua Reader, the CEO of creator crowdfunding platform CreatorCut. He added that some creators are still wary of AI-created video. That said, AI has already entered Hollywood's post-production process. Studios are using AI tools like Runway, and AI was used in post-production of some of this year's Oscar nominees. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said earlier this year that he felt AI could be used to improve films in new ways instead of just cutting costs. "Traditionally, only big-budget projects would have access to things like advanced visual effects, such as de-aging," Sarandos said. "So, today, you can use these AI-powered tools to enable smaller budget projects to have access to big VFX on screen."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Great American Christmas in July Returns to Great American Family on June 27, Kicking Off the Countdown to This Year's 5th Anniversary Celebration in October
GAM President Bill Abbott is excited to mark five years of Great American Christmas, promising the most festive season yet with more stars, more joy, and more holiday magic. NEW YORK, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Great American Media proudly announces the return of Great American Christmas in July on Great American Family, the mid-year holiday movie event, beginning June 27 (6 p.m. ET). The festive celebration serves as the perfect prelude to the countdown to the 5th Anniversary of Great American Christmas, launching in October 2025. With nearly 100 Original holiday films produced in just four years, Great American Media continues to lead with stories grounded in faith, family, and the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas as it is meant to be. The July programming event invites audiences to revisit fan-favorite films while building excitement for the landmark anniversary season ahead. "Great American Christmas in July is more than a mid-year tradition -- it is a joyful celebration of what our viewers love: stories that uplift, inspire, and bring families together," said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Great American Media. "This year, it also marks the beginning of the countdown to something truly special – the 5th Anniversary of Great American Christmas, which returns bigger and brighter than ever this October," Abbott concluded. Great American Christmas in July is heartwarming romances, favorite holiday moments, and stories steeped in faith, family, and the true meaning of the season. Celebrate moments that matter, those that remind all to believe, to give, to love, and to celebrate together. Enjoy never-before-seen behind-the-scenes moments from fan favorites films, as well as sneak peeks from brand new Great American Christmas 2025 Original movies. Weekly marathons celebrate the best of Great American Christmas in July, including marathons audiences can look forward to. Marathon line-up includes:Saturday, June 28 – A royal Christmas affair – Kick off Great American Christmas in July with elegance, enchantment, and touches of royal romance everywhere. A day filled with tiaras, traditions, and timeless tales of love fit for a prince (or princess!). Viewers crown their favorites like Jingle Bell Princess, A Christmas Castle Proposal, A Cinderella Christmas Ball, and many more! Friday, July 4 – Holiday, honor, at home – Great American Family proudly presents a military-themed Christmas movie marathon, an inspiring lineup of Christmas films that celebrate the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of those who serve the nation. Salute America and see these favorites, Bringing Christmas Home, My Christmas Hero, Tails of Christmas, and many more! Saturday, July 5 – A celebration of grace and joy, Great American Christmas in July honors the beloved actresses who bring heart, hope, and holiday cheer to every character: Candace Cameron Bure, Danica McKellar, Merritt Patterson, Cindy Busby, Laura Osnes, Jill Wagner, Alexa PenaVega, Courtney Lopez, Jen Lilley, Lori Loughlin, Jillian Murray, Jennie Garth, and many more. These actresses make Great American Christmas the most beloved holiday program event on television. What's more, they lead with love! Saturday, July 12 – Heart, honor, and holiday love – Great American Christmas honors the actors who bring strength, sincerity, and timeless charm to fans favorite Christmas movies: Mario Lopez, Trevor Donovan, Cameron Mathison, Casey Elliott, Paul Greene, Carlos PenaVega, Jonathan Stoddard, Daniel Lissing, Matthew Morrison, Jesse Hutch, and many more! These leading men deliver performances of love, loyalty, family, and the joy of finding the way home to Christmas! Saturday, July 19 – The ultimate Christmas Checklist, showcasing a curated collection of beloved holiday films that embody the spirit of the season! These beloved holiday originals return to small towns, cut down real Christas trees, attend Christmas services, bake the best sugar cookies, deck the halls that unite community. Viewers have their favorites, like A Vintage Christmas, A Christmas Less Traveled, Once Upon A Christmas Wish, Christmas Under the Northern Lights, A Kindhearted Christmas, A Little Women's Christmas, and many more! Saturday, July 26 – Fan-Favorite Christmas movies as chosen by Christmas movie review ranking – Viewer review rankings decide which film's make the final 24 hours of Great American Christmas in July. The films are a testament to our viewers love of celebrating heartwarming Christmas movies that celebrate love, hope, and the true meaning of Christmas. Lean back and enjoy! These curated lineups showcase the stars, stories, and moment's that have defined Great American Christmas' signature style – heartfelt, wholesome, and hopeful. For a complete list of featured films and to keep track of viewing, fans can refer to the Official Great American Family Christmas Checklist. For more information, ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA Great American Media is home to a family-friendly portfolio of brands including Great American Family, Great American Pure Flix and Great American Faith & Living. As the flagship linear TV network, Great American Family features original Christmas movies, rom-coms and classic series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Pure Flix is a leading faith and family streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains with content that you can confidently stream with the entire family. Other platforms include, Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion to Great American Family that celebrates faith, family, and country every day and every season; Great American Adventures and Pure Flix TV, FAST channels (free ad-supporting streaming TV). Great American Media was established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of US-based family offices. Great American Christmas in July on Great American Family returns to air beginning Friday, June 27 (6 p.m. ET), featuring TV's brightest stars in holiday stories about faith, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. The celebration is one of the best Christmas movie program events on television. [Pictured left-right] Lori Loughlin, Candace Cameron Bure, Cameron Mathison, and Danica McKellar, all stars of multiple original Christmas movies for Great American Media. Photo: Courtesy of Great American Media 2025. MEDIA CONTACTS:Pam SlayNetwork Program Publicity & Talent RelationsC: 818.415.3784pamslay@ Debbie DavisC: 214-802-8979 (call or text)Ddavis@ Media & PR, Director of Client Servicesmedia@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Great American Media Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
