The founder of E! says Hollywood is making content for the wrong screen

VidCon is a big event for people who make content, influencers, and fans. It has panels, networking, and live entertainment.

Larry Namer co-founded E! in 1987. He thinks entertainment will look like a smartphone held upright in the future.

At VidCon 2026, Namer said the entertainment industry often uses old formats after audiences have moved on. He thinks companies should follow audience behavior.

Namer said, 'I think storytelling is the same, but the technology is different. Audience behavior is also different.'

This idea has shaped his career. He predicts that by 2030, vertical video will be the main way people watch entertainment.

His reason is not about trends, but about habit.

Namer made a show in China and found that most people watched it on their phones. He asked, 'Why are we filming horizontal when people watch vertical?'

The team changed everything to make a show for the screen people use. Namer thought it was common sense.

He wouldn't start a traditional cable network today because of this mindset.

Namer still thinks there's a big demand for celebrity news, but he wouldn't package it the same way.

He would launch it in a non-linear way, so people can watch what they want, when they want.

This idea goes beyond vertical video.

When talking about AI, Namer warned legacy media companies to stop fighting it.

He compared AI to the music industry's resistance to digital distribution. The music industry lost control to platforms like Spotify.

Namer said, 'Technology keeps moving whether you like it or not.' But he's not advocating for no rules.

Namer talked about the responsibilities of building media, including AI guardrails and prioritizing social good.

His view on creators is practical.

Namer encouraged people to master a skill, not just chase fame. Success comes from being good at something and using that to pursue what you love.

Namer's vision of the future is grounded. He thinks storytelling adapts to how audiences live.

Vertical video is just the next evolution.

Companies that adapt first will define the next chapter of entertainment.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026. Follow our coverage for interviews and highlights.

Topics include Social Good and Creators at VidCon.

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