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Variety Unveils Expanded CES 2026 Slate with 30+ New Sessions and 50 Speakers

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 4:25 GMT by Variety

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Variety Expands CES 2026 Line‑up with New Speakers, Sessions and Themes

In a late‑June announcement that has already begun to ripple across the entertainment‑tech community, Variety, the long‑time watchdog of Hollywood and media‑industry news, revealed a substantial expansion of its programming for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026). The move is part of the magazine’s broader strategy to cement its role as the go‑to media partner for the technology‑and‑entertainment convergence that defines the show, and to broaden the conversation beyond the usual hardware and gadgets.

The Core of the Expansion

Variety’s press release highlighted that the 2026 CES program will now feature over 30 new sessions and 50 additional speakers – a 40 % increase from the previous year’s slate. The sessions will be grouped under five major pillars that Variety has identified as the most critical for the future of the industry:

1. Artificial Intelligence & Storytelling – Panels that explore how generative AI, machine learning, and data‑driven insights are reshaping film, TV, music, and gaming narratives.
2. The Future of Content Delivery – Discussions on streaming platforms, OTT ecosystems, and the rise of “direct‑to‑consumer” models.
3. Immersive & Interactive Media – A look at VR/AR, mixed‑reality experiences, and the new wave of interactive entertainment that blurs the line between game and film.
4. Automotive & Mobility Innovations – Talks that examine how connected cars and autonomous systems are becoming platforms for media consumption.
5. Tech‑Enabled Live Events & Sports – Sessions on holography, real‑time analytics, and the integration of AI in broadcasting and live‑event production.

Variety’s new sessions will span a variety of formats – from intimate roundtables and “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) style panels to keynote addresses and live demos. According to the announcement, “Our goal is to bring the best minds in technology and entertainment together to share insights that will shape the next decade,” said the editor‑in‑chief, who added that the expanded line‑up will “bridge the gap between creative talent and the engineers who are building the future of media.”

Notable Speakers & Key Themes

The press release listed an impressive roster of speakers slated for the event. A few key names include:

In addition to these high‑profile figures, Variety announced that it will be inviting a selection of emerging creators from the indie‑game and film scenes, providing a platform for voices that have historically been underrepresented at industry gatherings.

Why Variety’s Expanded Role Matters

Variety has historically been present at CES for the last three years, primarily covering the intersection of entertainment and consumer electronics. In 2024, the magazine’s coverage helped spotlight the launch of Apple’s “Pro Audio” lineup and the new partnership between Disney+ and Sony Interactive for “Play‑to‑Watch” gaming experiences. By 2025, Variety had positioned itself as a critical bridge between the studios that make the content and the tech firms that build the infrastructure to deliver it.

The current expansion underscores several industry trends:

1. The Blurring of Media and Technology – As the lines between hardware and content continue to dissolve, a platform that can discuss both sides is essential.
2. Increased Role of AI in Creative Work – From scriptwriting assistants to real‑time visual effects, AI is increasingly integrated into the creative workflow. Variety’s new AI panels reflect the urgency for creators to understand these tools.
3. Demand for Inclusive Voices – The addition of a diverse speaker roster signals Variety’s commitment to ensuring that women, people of color, and creators from non‑Western markets are represented in the conversation.

Practical Details for Attendees

CES 2026 is scheduled to take place from December 5–7, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Variety’s expanded programming will be hosted in the Innovation Hall and the Entertainment Pavilion, with some sessions slated for the Media & Entertainment District (a newly designated area dedicated to film and gaming).

Attendees can register through Variety’s dedicated portal (link provided in the original article). The portal offers a custom schedule, allowing users to “pin” sessions to a personal agenda, receive real‑time updates on speaker changes, and gain access to exclusive post‑event podcasts and roundtable recordings.

Variety’s partnership with CES is also slated to include a “Variety Hall of Fame” pop‑up exhibit, showcasing milestone moments in entertainment technology from the past decade.

Conclusion

Variety’s decision to dramatically increase its CES 2026 programming is more than a simple numbers game; it is a strategic reaffirmation of the magazine’s role as a conduit between creative storytelling and cutting‑edge technology. By bringing together leading voices in AI, gaming, automotive, and media distribution, Variety is helping to shape a holistic view of where the entertainment industry is heading.

Industry insiders, students, and curious technologists should keep an eye on the event’s final schedule, as the new sessions promise to provide fresh perspectives on how the next wave of consumer electronics will serve and transform the creative world. As the CES organizers continue to expand the show’s scope, Variety’s enhanced presence could very well become a defining feature of the 2026 event, setting a new standard for how media coverage and industry discourse intersect at the heart of technology innovation.