Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for encoding a scene in a video program using an encoding strategy that is selected in accordance with a theme that is identified in the scene are disclosed. For example, a method may include a processing system receiving a video program, identifying boundaries of a scene in the video program, identifying a theme in the scene, and selecting an encoding strategy for the scene based upon the theme, where the encoding strategy is associated with the theme. The processing system may further encode the scene using the encoding strategy that is selected.