Most CES 2021 Conference Programming Will Be Prerecorded, Says CTA

Microsoft’s value as technology partner for virtual CES 2021 resides in the company’s cloud and cybersecurity prowess, plus its capabilities as a “production studio,” CTA President Gary Shapiro told us last week (see 2012170058). Using Microsoft’s talent and facilities, “essentially, we’ve gone from producing a physical event to producing a number of TV shows,” said Shapiro. “It’s totally different for us.” Audiences may find CES 2021's programming the most compelling content they have experienced in years, he said. But the net effect of the Microsoft collaboration is that most of the show’s conference tracks will be prerecorded, including all keynotes, CTA spokespeople confirmed Monday. The iHeartMedia conference session hosted by Ryan Seacrest, trumpeted with fanfare Monday (see 2012210024), won’t be live, nor will its featured musical performance by five-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish, said CTA. The show’s signature “anchor desk” content will be live and will include chat, emailed spokesperson Jamie Kaplan. Most anchor desk interviews will be live, as will exhibitor “spotlight sessions,” she said. Some exhibitors staging news conferences on media day Jan. 11 will have live Q&A chat components, but the conferences themselves will be prerecorded, she said: “Attendees and exhibitors will be able to host live meetings throughout the week.” CTA said all CES 2021 content will remain accessible on demand to registered attendees through Feb. 15. CTA is charging most attendees a $149 registration fee.