Topic: Jeff Valdez on AI, Streaming & Latino Audiences
Time: Apr 24, 2026 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Jeff Valdez — Media Entrepreneur & Television Producer
Jeff Valdez is a producer, media entrepreneur, and pioneer in Latino entertainment. He is best known as the co-founder of Sí TV, the first national English-language cable network created for Latino audiences, which later became Fuse TV.
Valdez also created the groundbreaking Nickelodeon series “The Brothers Garcia,” the first English-language television show with an all-Latino cast and creative team. Through his company New Cadence Productions, he has produced television, film, and comedy specials while mentoring emerging Latino creators. Valdez has spent decades advocating for greater Latino representation in media and continues to influence the future of entertainment.
What You’ll Walk Away With
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Jeff Valdez has experienced the entertainment industry across multiple eras, from traditional television networks to the streaming and digital content revolution.
In this session we’ll discuss:
• How Hollywood and television used to work
• The role of studios, networks, and gatekeepers in legacy media
• The rise of streaming platforms and creator-driven media
• Why new media is disrupting traditional entertainment structures
• How creators today can bypass traditional industry barriersJeff’s career spans more than 25 years producing content for companies like Nickelodeon, Disney, Showtime, NBC, and HBO Max, giving him a rare perspective on the evolution of the industry.
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Latinos are now one of the most powerful consumer groups in entertainment, shaping trends across film, television, music, and digital platforms.
Topics include:
• Why Latino audiences drive cultural trends in entertainment
• The rise of English-speaking Latino audiences
• The business opportunity many companies still overlook
• Why Latino stories are becoming mainstream
• The economic power of Latino media consumptionJeff Valdez helped pioneer programming for English-speaking Latino audiences, recognizing early on that this demographic represented a massive untapped media market.
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Valdez didn’t just create shows, he helped build media institutions.
We’ll explore:
• The story behind launching Sí TV
• Why Latino creators need ownership in media companies
• How distribution platforms shape cultural storytelling
• Why representation behind the camera matters as much as on screen
• The importance of training the next generation of Latino filmmakers -
The entertainment industry is entering a new technological era.
Jeff will share his perspective on:
• How artificial intelligence could transform film and television
• What AI means for writers, filmmakers, and actors
• The rise of digital production tools and virtual studios
• Opportunities for independent creators in the AI era
• Why storytelling will remain the most valuable skill in media -
Jeff has spent his career pushing for authentic Latino representation in Hollywood.
Topics include:
• How Latino creators can take control of their narratives
• Why Latino leadership in media companies is essential
• The importance of cultural authenticity in storytelling
• The future of Latino creators in Hollywood and digital media
• Building sustainable careers in entertainment
OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE
• Lessons from producing film and television for over 25 years
• The rise of streaming platforms and creator-owned media
• The economics of entertainment and media platforms
• Mentorship and developing new Latino creators
• Live Q&A with attendees
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Filmmakers
Content creators
Media entrepreneurs
Producers and writers
Students interested in entertainment
Anyone interested in the future of media and Latino storytelling
LIVE Q&A
At the end of the session attendees will be able to ask Jeff directly about:
• film and television production
• building media companies
• Latino audiences and culture
• streaming platforms and new media
• AI and the future of entertainment