The FAST & the Formidable: Leading Platforms & Content Providers on Growth & Strategy in FAST & AVOD
The FAST & the Formidable: Leading Platforms & Content Providers on Growth & Strategy in FAST & AVOD
FAST and AVOD are accelerating as major drivers of the streaming economy, reshaping how content is programmed, monetized, and discovered. This panel brings together industry leaders to break down the strategies, challenges, and opportunities defining the next chapter of free streaming.
This panel brings together executives from today’s most influential platforms, content providers, and innovative enablers for a dynamic discussion on the evolving FAST and AVOD landscape. Explore the strategies driving audience growth, content monetization, and distribution success in a competitive streaming ecosystem. Hear firsthand how leading players are shaping the future of free streaming and navigating new opportunities across platforms.
Speakers
- Moderator: Colin Dixon, Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia
- Scott Alexander, General Manager, ViewNexa
- Cameron Douglas, Senior Vice President, OTT/Streaming, Fandango
- Jiro Egawa, Senior VP, Platform Growth & Monetization, Xumo
- Kyle Espinosa, Vice President, Global Programming & Analytics, Fremantle
- Paige Sherman, Director, FAST Distribution, Radial Entertainment
FAST and AVOD have rapidly evolved into core pillars of the global streaming economy. As consumers increasingly gravitate toward free, ad-supported viewing—and advertisers seek scale, measurability, and brand-safe environments—FAST and AVOD are driving some of the most meaningful growth and innovation across the industry.
But with opportunity comes complexity. The ecosystem is now flooded with platforms, distribution endpoints, content pipelines, and shifting business models. At the same time, data transparency, monetization pressure, and content discovery challenges are forcing companies to rethink how they program channels, optimize revenue, and differentiate their brands.
During the 2025 OTT.X Summit, senior leaders from across platforms, content providers, and technology enablers came together to unpack how FAST and AVOD are evolving, what’s working, and where the next wave of innovation is headed—offering a candid, grounded look at the realities of free streaming today.
Main Takeaways
- Distribution is Becoming More Strategic—Not Just Expansive
The early “be everywhere” mindset is giving way to thoughtful evaluation of where performance, monetization, and operational costs truly make sense. - Data Transparency is the Biggest Industry Pain Point
Many platforms still limit access to program-level insights, forcing companies to rely on proxies or AI-driven models. Clearer data enables better programming decisions and stronger ad performance across the board. - Monetization Remains Challenged, Even as Viewership Grows
Ad compression is real, but FAST engagement continues to rise. Distinctive channel identities and recognizable IP are key to building recurring viewing habits and advertiser value. - Hybrid Monetization is the New Normal
The most resilient businesses blend FAST, AVOD, TVOD, and subscription tiers rather than relying on a single revenue stream. - AI is Already Powering Real Workflows
From metadata automation and catalog organization to adload optimization and workflow efficiency, AI is becoming essential to scale. - Discovery and the EPG are Entering their Next Evolution
The traditional grid can’t keep up with today’s volume of content. Expect a shift toward content-first home screens, personalization, and AI-driven navigation. - Live and Interactive Programming will Differentiate Winners
Eventized streams, special marathons, and talent-led activations boost engagement, retention, and advertiser interest.
Bottom Line: FAST and AVOD are no longer side projects—they’re defining the next chapter of streaming. As business models evolve and platforms mature, success will hinge on smarter data practices, deeper audience understanding, diversified monetization, and more intuitive discovery experiences. This panel offers a forward-looking snapshot of where free streaming is headed and the strategies shaping the future of the FAST and AVOD landscape.
Learn more about the industry leading executives that participated in "The FAST & the Formidable: Leading Platforms & Content Providers on Growth & Strategy in FAST & AVOD"
Colin Dixon
Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia
Colin Dixon is the Chief Analyst and Founder of nScreenMedia. He focuses on enhanced TV applications including Guides, DVRs, Over-the-top services, Pay-TV services, connected (smart) TVs, TV Devices, multi-screen video, second-screen apps, and the emerging broadband media economy. He has provided strategic consulting services to many companies including Verizon Media, Intel, Cisco, TiVo/Xperi, YouSee, Microsoft, The BBC, Amdocs, and Panasonic.
Mr. Dixon created nScreenMedia in 2013 as a resource for the Digital Media Industry as it transitions to the new infrastructure for multi-screen delivery. The site provides daily opinions and analyses of the issues shaping the media business. In addition, white papers and reports covering topics such as cord-cutting, millennials, and media and subscription VOD services are available for free.
He is an accomplished speaker and frequently presents at industry conferences, including NAB, IBC, StreamTV, OTT.X, TV of Tomorrow Show, and many others. He has moderated many discussions, including with Ajit Pai, FCC commissioner, Tom Ryan (Head of Streaming at Paramount Global), Dan Cohen (Head of Global Distribution at Paramount Global,) and Jonathan Zepp (Head of M&E Content partnerships at Google.) He was nominated as the top speaker at M&E events in 2023 by Broadband Media.
Before forming nScreenMedia, Mr. Dixon was an analyst with The Diffusion Group for seven years. He authored many reports on subjects in the new media domain, including “No Console Required: The Changing Face of TV Gaming” and “Smart TVs 2012-2017: Connections, Use and Portal Revenue”.
Scott Alexander
General Manager, ViewNexa
Scott has over a decade of experience and knowledge developing innovative products and bringing them to market. Currently he is the General Manager of ViewNexa, leading the vision, strategy, and execution that help media companies grow audiences and maximize revenue. With over 20 years of experience in media, technology, and operations, he transforms forward-thinking ideas into market-ready products and sustainable businesses. He oversees all aspects of ViewNexa’s streaming success, including product innovation, roadmap, operations, partnerships, and profitability, with a deep understanding of market dynamics and audience behaviors.
Previously, Scott held senior leadership roles at Nexstar Digital, LKQD Technologies, Oakley, and Red Bull Media House, where he was instrumental in launching Red Bull TV. His career reflects a proven ability to unite technology and media to deliver impactful solutions in a rapidly changing industry. Scott helps various startups and established companies build innovative products that push forward thinking technology into practical applications.
Cameron Douglas
OTT.X Chairman
Senior Vice President, OTT/Streaming, Fandango
Cameron Douglas is Senior Vice President of OTT/Streaming for Fandango and heads the company’s video-on-demand streaming service Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu), one of the industry’s leading digital retailers in the transactional space. An over 20-year entertainment industry veteran, Douglas oversees content and merchandising for Fandango at Home, offering hundreds of thousands of movies and next-day TV shows, along with an extensive library of 4K and HDR titles, to buy or rent without a subscription, and upwards of 30,000 movies and TV shows that viewers can watch free on demand.
Douglas began his career holding various analytics and senior marketing roles at Disney, Fox, DreamWorks, and Paramount. He moved into the digital entertainment space in 2013 as SVP of Content for M-GO, the DreamWorks Animation/Technicolor joint venture, prior to its acquisition by Fandango and rebranding as FandangoNOW in 2016.
He has overseen multiple years of double-digit growth in this era, beating the market with a focus on content and core consumer experience. With the acquisition of Vudu in 2020 (rebranded Fandango at Home in 2024), Fandango has firmly established itself as the No. 3 player in the competitive transactional space and Douglas and team are strategically positioned for the next phase of the premium video market.
In 2018, Douglas was elected Chairman of OTT.X (formerly the Entertainment Merchants Association/EMA), the trade group for the home entertainment industry. Douglas is a Stanford University graduate and earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and is a longstanding member of Mensa.
Jiro Egawa
Senior Vice President, Platform Growth and Monetization, Xumo
Jiro Egawa is a seasoned media and technology executive with over two decades of experience driving innovation and growth in the global streaming and consumer electronics industries.
He currently serves as Senior Vice President, Platform Growth and Monetization for Xumo, the streaming joint venture between Comcast and Charter Communications. In this role, Jiro oversees Xumo’s Enterprise and FAST businesses and is responsible for the customer experience strategy for Xumo’s device and app ecosystem, overseeing engagement and retention growth and monetization initiatives.
He drives Xumo’s vision and execution of content offerings—including FAST (free ad-supported television) channels, app integrations, and transactional services—in close partnership with Comcast’s content and product teams. Jiro also shapes product roadmaps, balancing near-term priorities with long-term innovation, and leads monetization efforts across advertising, subscriptions, and transactions.
Jiro was a founding executive at Xumo, initially serving as the Chief Operating Officer and playing a key role in establishing Xumo as a leader in the connected TV space through the launch of the industry’s first FAST service in partnership with LG Electronics. Later in his tenure, he played a pivotal role in scaling Xumo following its acquisition by Comcast in 2020, exceeding revenue targets and reaching record in monthly active users.
Earlier in his career, he held strategic leadership roles at Panasonic Corporation, where he helped launch Japan’s first connected TV subscription service and led global smart TV initiatives.
Jiro holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the International University of Japan and completed an exchange program at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. He is fluent in English and Japanese.
Kyle Espinosa
Vice President, Global Programming & Analytics, Fremantle
Kyle Espinosa oversees Content Strategy, Programming, and Analytics for Fremantle's Global Channels. His remit includes linear and digital programming for a wide range of channels including Buzzr, Jamie Oliver, Baywatch, Family Feud, The Price Is Right, and Let's Make a Deal.
He has worked with world-class IP such as SpongeBob SquarePants and House of the Dragon from his time at Nickelodeon and HBOMax. He was also a part of the Nickelodeon Digital team that won a shared Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media.
Kyle began his media career working at Nickelodeon, spending close to a decade there. Prior to joining Fremantle in 2023, he contributed to the Editorial Strategy at HBOMax.
He is an alumnus of Grinnell College. He is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines. He is also a Posse Foundation Scholar.
Paige Sherman
Director, FAST Distribution, Radial Entertainment
Paige Sherman is an experienced professional in digital video programming and distribution, currently serving as the Director of FAST Distribution at Radial Entertainment since July 2025. Previously, Paige held various roles at Shout! Factory from September 2015 to July 2025, including Director of Digital Video Programming, where responsibilities encompassed managing programming and operations for multiple FAST channels, developing engaging programming stunts, and overseeing broadcast operations.
Prior roles at Shout! Factory included Sr. Manager, Manager, and Coordinator in Digital Video Programming. Early career experiences include serving as Casting Production Assistant at T Group Productions and internships at NESN and SportsNet New York, specializing in stage management. Paige holds a Bachelor's degree in Film, Video, and Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University.
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