Rakuten announces series of European CTV, streaming industry events

Rakuten TV Enterprise today announced the launch of a European event series targeted at leaders in the connected television and streaming industry.

The first event, Rakuten TV Enterprise Live Madrid, is planned for March 17, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

The first event will convene more than 150 senior executives and decision-makers from across the ecosystem, including advertisers, media agencies, platforms, production companies, studios and broadcasters, according to the company.

“Connected TV is entering a new phase of maturity in Europe, as streaming models evolve and advertising becomes an increasingly central driver of growth,” said Cédric Dufour, CEO and president of Rakuten TV in a statement. “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.”

Dufour noted that Europe’s position a diverse, dynamic market makes “dialogue between platforms, advertisers, media companies and technology partners is essential to unlocking the full potential of CTV.”

The events will continue throughout the year with events in London, Munich and Milan.

“In the context of a rapidly transforming audiovisual market – driven by the consolidation of streaming platforms and the evolution of advertising models — Rakuten TV Enterprise is launching Live as a stable forum for industry reflection and connection, with a European scope and a clear ambition to actively contribute to the market’s ongoing evolution,” reads the announcement. 

Live Madrid will feature:

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• An opening address by Cédric Dufour, CEO and president of Rakuten TV, who will discuss the evolution of the European CTV market and the role of technological innovation in the growth of streaming.
• Miguel López-Valverde, regional minister for digitalisation of the community of Madrid, will share the regional government’s vision on digital transformation and the development of the audiovisual ecosystem.
• Carla Redondo Galbarriatu, director general for the regulation of digitalisation and audiovisual communication services at the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, will present 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, director general of IAB Spain, will provide the industry perspective on the evolution of digital advertising and the growing relevance of CTV within media planning strategies.

Rakuten says that confirmed attendees include executives from companies including Paramount, Google, YouTube, Movistar+, Warner Bros., BBC Studios, Filmax, Atresmedia, Mediaset, DAZN, Lactalis Group, Dentsu, Havas Media Network, OMD, Publicis and WPP Media, among others.

As part of Live Madrid, Rakuten TV Enterprise will also host the first session of the newly formed CTV Advisory Board, an international strategic forum bringing together senior representatives from across the European ecosystem.

The group, which will meet twice per year, will “analyze market trends, the evolution of advertising models, and the key challenges and growth opportunities facing the sector, with the aim of generating shared knowledge and contributing to the sustainable development of Connected TV in Europe.”

Members include Daniel Knapp (IAB Europe), Emmanuel Crego (Groupe Values), Ana Cámara (WPP Media), Zach Belmont (Paramount), Gareth Vaughan Jones (Virgin Media O2), Maribel Vivancos (WPP Media Spain), Will Gough (Dentsu UK), Johan Holm (WPP Media) and Edouard Lauwick (Rakuten TV Enterprise).

• Rakuten TV Enterprise Live Madrid will be held on March 17 at Hotel Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid.
• Rakuten TV Enterprise Live London will be held on June 9, 2026, at The Shard, London.
• Rakuten TV Enterprise Live Munich and Rakuten TV Enterprise Live Milan dates will be announced later, but are expected to be in September or October 2026.