With its new abbreviated name and ambitious programming slate, the free, ad-supported OTT service formerly known as the People/Entertainment Weekly Network is moving into its second year in style under the guidance of Mei. She’s focused on strong, brand-buzz content such as “Entertainment Weekly: The Show”; programming that resonates with its target demo including “Shelf Life,” about must-read books, and “Family Portrait,” a look at diverse families across the country, produced by SoulPancake; and growing distribution. Speaking about the industry as a whole, Mei says, “The new ways in which people are finding and consuming video content is going to change everything.”
Who is your favorite current female TV character and why?
There are three current women characters who are ruling the roost in Washington D.C. right now and I think they all have a different take on power and how women own it. Selena Myers on Veep, Claire Underwood on House of Cards and Olivia Pope on Scandal. Something to be learned from each of them in my opinion.
What industry topic do you think will dominate industry headlines in 2018 and why?
The new ways in which people are finding and consuming video content is going to change everything about our industry from what content gets made, to the budgets for that content and how it gets discovered and where and how it gets consumed. It’s all changing.
Best advice for relieving stress?
Stress relief for me come from engaging and pushing myself physically and giving my brain a rest. I get up very early and run – frequently in the dark – and I find that sets me up right for the day ahead.
