The recent TVOT SF 2025 conference served as a crucial gathering for the television industry’s brightest minds, with companies like LG, Google, Fox, and Nielsen convening to dissect the future of media. Dominant themes included the integration of AI, the unstoppable rise of Connected TV (CTV) and FAST channels, and the urgent need for new monetization strategies. Amid these discussions, Stingray emerged not merely as a participant, but as a central innovator actively charting the course for the industry’s next chapter.

 

Representing the company, Rick Bergan, Stingray’s Head of US Content Distribution, provided invaluable insights during the panel, “How Content Value and Monetization Are Changing in the Streaming Age.” He pinpointed a fundamental shift in the industry: streaming viewership has now definitively overtaken traditional cable. According to Bergan, this tipping point demands a complete evolution in management philosophy, one centered on achieving massive scale and capitalizing on diverse new revenue streams. He detailed Stingray’s successful transformation from a legacy cable model to a dynamic, streaming-first powerhouse. This was achieved by strategically licensing its unparalleled music content library and forging vital partnerships with leading platforms and device makers, including LG, Samsung, and Pluto TV.

 

Beyond skillfully adapting to market shifts, Stingray is pioneering entirely new content frontiers. Bergan highlighted the company’s leadership in the burgeoning “ambient TV” category, a novel form of lean-back experience designed for modern viewing habits. He showcased the success of channels like “Cozy Cafe,” which have scaled rapidly to attract significant viewership by creating unique moods and environments for consumers.

 

This innovative spirit is deeply embedded in Stingray’s DNA. The company’s foundation in karaoke has evolved into a major growth engine, particularly in the automotive sector. While a partnership with Tesla marked a significant entry point, Stingray has since accelerated its presence in the connected car. The company has secured global partnerships with leading EV manufacturers like BYD and Ford (for models including the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E), and is integrated into the Sony Honda Mobility AFEELA prototype. This expansion establishes Stingray Karaoke as a go-to in-car entertainment feature, turning vehicles into mobile entertainment hubs.

 

Furthermore, Stingray has heavily invested in the gamification of its karaoke service to deepen user engagement. The platform now features a sophisticated scoring system that provides real-time feedback, using “pitch bubbles” to show singers how well they are matching the song’s notes and timing on a syllable-by-syllable basis. While not a traditional pitch correction tool, it guides singers toward better performance. This is complemented by fun voice-modulation effects and a pro-grade microphone developed with Singing.

 

The discussions at TVOT SF 2025 made it clear that the future of television belongs to agile and forward-thinking companies. Through its strategic pivots and deep investment in interactive content, Stingray has firmly established itself as a key architect of that future.