NAB Show 2026: Broadcasting’s influential voices take centre stage

This year’s NAB show will feature a premier speaker line-up spanning the creator economy, filmmaking, streaming platforms, artificial intelligence, broadcast technology and journalism. Taking place in Las Vegas this April, the event will convene a diverse mix of creators, technologists and executives. Sessions will be led by figures including Poppy Crum, Matt Schnaars, Márcia Mayer and Sir Roger Deakins. Below is a selection of talks not to miss!

Dr Poppy Crum

Dr Poppy Crum is managing director at Giant Step Capital and adjunct professor at Stanford University. She is an impressive neuroscientist, technologist, investor and futurist. Her work is at the forefront of human performance, sensory systems, artificial intelligence and technology innovation.

A recognised expert in AI systems and advanced technology design, Crum is also a leading voice on the human-technology interface. She therefore advises companies and industry leaders on architecting data-driven platforms and products that responsibly leverage AI, sensing and situational intelligence across the industrial, health and consumer markets.

Crum will lead a session on AI and human-centred technology in broadcasting on Saturday April 18.

Robert Schildhouse

As CEO of Direct to Consumer, Robert Schildhouse oversees BritBox, BBC Select and all BBC Studios’ future direct to consumer ambitions in North America.

Robert recently spearheaded the launch of BritBox Premier, an annual subscription tier offering enhanced features such as 4K streaming, downloads, early access to new releases and four simultaneous streams.

A streaming industry veteran, Schildhouse played a pivotal role in the entertainment industry’s latest chapter of reinvention. As a member of the Hulu launch team and the streamer’s first head of Content Acquisition, he shepherded hundreds of studios, networks and global rights holders into the AVOD and SVOD market for the first time. Then he moved to CBS, where he was responsible for bringing its portfolio of TV libraries and iconic titles to streaming.

Schildhouse will lead a session on how North America became British TV’s biggest opportunity on Monday April 20.

Matt Schnaars

Matt Schnaars is president, platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, after joining in 2013 as SVP, content distribution. He has had a critical role in NBCU’s growth over the past decade, including the successful 2020 launch of NBCU’s direct-to-consumer service, Peacock.

Schnaars is also executive in residence at NYU Stern, on the television board of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Iona University Board of Trustees and an active participant in several media-industry organisations dedicated to mentorship and development.

He will take to the main stage at NAB for a discussion on Who Controls the Pipe? Platform Distribution, Power, and the New Deal Economics on Tuesday April 21.

Márcia Mayer

Márcia Mayer is a Spirit Award-nominated producer. Previously at Pixar, she currently leads Google DeepMind’s Media & Entertainment production efforts. Mayer founded and ran Tenacious Productions, where she was dedicated to producing exciting, emotionally engaging and inspiring feature films.

Mayer will take to the main stage at NAB to present The Augmented Studio: Supercharging Creativity with the Power of AI on Tuesday April 21.

Andrew Shulkind

Andrew Shulkind is currently senior vice president, capture and innovation at Sphere Entertainment. He leads multidisciplinary teams developing next-generation camera, audio and imaging systems for Sphere’s immersive productions in Las Vegas.

His career has been defined by bringing emerging tools into real-world production environments. Accordingly, he has led projects spanning large-format and high-speed capture, 360° imaging, volumetric production and custom-built camera systems designed for immersive environments. He has also helped launch innovative camera and lighting technologies.

Leading studios, technology companies and global brands seek advice from Schulkind. These include Google, Microsoft, Canon, Sony, Samsung, Verizon, Live Nation, Facebook and the NBA on content innovation and production strategy.

He was awarded the Emerging Cinematographer Award from the International Cinematographers Guild (2014), StudioDaily Prime Awards for Innovator of the Year (2014 and 2016) and was named one of Variety’s Ten Cinematographers to Watch (2018).

He will lead SMPTE VIBE: Pushing the Boundaries of Immersive Storytelling – Sphere Studios & the Big Sky Camera System on Saturday April 18.

Team Deakins

Sir Roger Deakins CBE, ASC, BSC is one of the most acclaimed cinematographers working today. His film credits span Fargo, No Country for Old Men, The Shawshank Redemption, Skyfall, Sicario and Revolutionary Road. He has been nominated for sixteen Academy Awards, winning two for Blade Runner 2049 and 1917.

He has published two books with his creative partner James Deakins: BYWAYS (a monograph of stills) and Reflections: On Cinematography (a visual memoir).

Join them both in discussion on Monday April 20. They will provide insights into their work and collaboration, as well as their book Reflections.