Rakuten TV Enterprise Launches European CTV Event Series 'LIVE'

Rakuten TV Enterprise has announced the launch of LIVE, a new European event series designed to bring together senior leaders from across the connected TV (CTV) and streaming industries. The inaugural event will take place in Madrid on March 17.

The first edition is expected to gather more than 150 senior executives and decision-makers from across the CTV ecosystem, including advertisers, media agencies, platforms, production companies, studios and broadcasters, for an evening of keynote presentations and networking.

Following the Madrid debut, the LIVE series will continue throughout the year with additional events planned in London, Munich and Milan. Together, the events will form a European circuit focused on fostering dialogue, alignment and collaboration across the rapidly evolving CTV market.

The choice to launch the series in Spain reflects Rakuten TV’s longstanding presence in the country, where its European headquarters are located in Barcelona. Operating in 43 territories, the company is positioning Spain as a key location for discussions around the future of connected TV and advertising-supported streaming in Europe.

LIVE Madrid will feature several keynote speakers addressing different aspects of the industry. Cédric Dufour will deliver the opening address, focusing on the evolution of the European CTV market and the role of technological innovation in streaming growth.

Additional speakers include Miguel López-Valverde, who will outline the regional government's vision for digital transformation and the development of the audiovisual ecosystem, and Carla Redondo Galbarriatu, who will discuss the transformation of the audiovisual sector from the perspective of the Spanish government following the launch of the Spain Audiovisual Hub Plan.

Reyes Justribó Ferrer will also provide an industry perspective on the evolution of digital advertising and the growing role of CTV within media planning strategies.

The launch of the LIVE series comes as the audiovisual sector undergoes rapid transformation, driven by the consolidation of streaming platforms and evolving advertising models. Rakuten TV Enterprise says the initiative is intended to create a consistent forum for industry discussion and collaboration across Europe.

The event will bring together executives from major organisations across the media and advertising sectors, including Paramount, Google, YouTube, Movistar+, Warner Bros., BBC Studios, Filmax, Atresmedia, Mediaset, DAZN, Lactalis Group, Dentsu, Havas Media Network, OMD, Publicis and WPP.

As part of the event, Rakuten TV Enterprise will also host the inaugural meeting of its newly created CTV Advisory Board, an international strategic forum bringing together senior representatives from across the European ecosystem. The board will meet twice a year to examine market trends, the evolution of advertising models, and the key challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.

Members of the board include Daniel Knapp, Emmanuel Crego, Ana Cámara, Zach Belmont, Gareth Vaughan Jones, Maribel Vivancos, Will Gough, Johan Holm and Edouard Lauwick.

Cédric Dufour said: "Connected TV is entering a new phase of maturity in Europe, as streaming models evolve and advertising becomes an increasingly central driver of growth. With LIVE, we want to create a space where the industry can come together to exchange perspectives, anticipate change and build stronger collaboration across the ecosystem. Europe is a diverse and dynamic market, and dialogue between platforms, advertisers, media companies and technology partners is essential to unlocking the full potential of CTV. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders from across Europe for this series of events."

www.rakuten.tv