What Makes a Power Panel? Lessons from the Speakers Shaping Entertainment’s Future
Mar 10, 2025
At most industry conferences, panels are background noise. A few buzzwords, polite nods, and safe predictions. But every once in a while, a panel leaves the room buzzing—with urgency, insight, and new direction. That’s the goal of this year’s Financial Times Business of Entertainment Summit.
What makes the difference? It comes down to who’s on stage—and what they’re willing to say.
This year’s lineup isn’t just a list of big names—it’s a collection of movers who are actively shaping entertainment’s next chapter. From studios navigating post-strike economics to platforms rethinking global rollouts, the people leading our conversations are the ones writing the playbook in real time.
And the most powerful panels share three things:
1. Clarity About Where the Industry’s Headed
What’s next for the business of entertainment? That’s the billion-dollar question—and our speakers don’t dance around it. They’re here to discuss real numbers, tested models, and what they’re adjusting in 2025 and beyond.
Expect panels to explore:
How streaming platforms are restructuring licensing deals and revenue-sharing
What creators need to know about data ownership and monetization
The rise of fan-led IP and the new value of interactive experiences
The people on stage won’t be speaking in theory—they’ll be referencing real shifts they’ve already acted on.
2. A Willingness to Challenge Industry Assumptions
Great panels don’t just confirm what you already know—they challenge what you think is true.
Speakers at this year’s summit are prepared to say what others won’t, including:
Why the old studio-first model is no longer viable
What content bubbles are about to burst
How AI and automation are already changing writers’ rooms and post-production budgets
It’s not about being provocative for attentin—it’s about being honest about what’s not working. And that honesty is what makes this summit different.
3. A Room That’s Ready to Engage
Panels are only as good as the people listening—and one of the advantages of the Business of Entertainment Summit is the caliber of the room. The audience is packed with sharp strategists, independent producers, VCs, creators, and media thinkers who bring as much insight as the people on stage.
When attendees ask questions, the conversation levels up. When people network after the session, deals and partnerships happen.
The lines between audience and speaker blur. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Listen—Participate
This year’s summit is a rare opportunity to listen in on the private conversations that normally happen behind closed doors—and to step directly into them. The panels aren’t just for learning. They’re for building relationships, refining your strategy, and thinking bigger.
Whether you’re a creative founder, a studio exec, or a curious investor, these discussions offer more than just ideas—they offer clarity and access.
If you’re ready to stop reacting to change and start shaping it, this is where you need to be.