IBC 2024 Preview
Posted on Sep 6, 2024 by FEED Staff
Back to Business
Words by Katie Kasperson
FEED takes a look at the upcoming IBC 2024 in Amsterdam, from cutting-edge media innovations to AI advancements, and insights from 325+ industry leaders
It’s hard to believe that it’s already here – we’re counting the days until IBC 2024. Kicking off on 13 September, there’s no show quite like it; thousands of vendors and visitors descend on the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center for four days’ worth of innovation and inspiration, all centred around the ever-evolving media and entertainment industry.
The conference, though sorted neatly into its usual three categories – transformative tech, shifting business models and people and purpose – looks a little different this year, with new programme additions that address emerging industry trends and skills gaps. The content agenda is full of speakers who are company leaders and field experts, while the Technical Papers Programme looks at the latest research into real-world challenges.
Set to surpass last year’s attendance figures, IBC 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Over the following few pages, IBC CEO Mike Crimp tells us what to expect come September, from regular fixtures to fresh topics; plus, we hear from a small selection of exhibitors, getting a sense for what’ll be on display.
Talk of the town
Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic for years, touted for its ability to boost administrative efficiency, but only recently has generative AI been halfway decent at creating convincing content. The new AI Tech Zone, housed in Hall 14, “will act as a focal point for pioneering AI providers, content creators and solution vendors showcasing how AI can meet specific industry needs,” explains Crimp. “The area is going to play host to a top-class array of technology leaders and visionaries who are accelerating real-world deployments of AI in the media and entertainment arenas.”
As 2024 has also been one of the most impactful international election years in recent history, the industry needs to address the growing threat of news inauthenticity. IBC will offer “a conference session called ‘Fake news and fighting disinformation – fact-checking in the digital age’, which will showcase tech developments that help media companies recognise and deal with false news reports and deepfakes,” describes Crimp.
The Accelerator Media Innovation Programme – where the industry’s greatest minds gather to solve real-world issues – tackles both topics. First, a three-part project called AI Media Production Lab “pioneers new, real-world use cases of AI within media production, designed to improve creativity in storytelling, deepen audience engagement and harness real-time predictive analytics to personalise live sport viewing,” shares Crimp. The programme also includes a project called ‘Design your weapons in the fight against disinformation’ – a joint effort among AP, BBC, CBS News, Channel 4 and Paramount Global.
Merging lanes
The media and entertainment industry has been taking new shape as of late, with the lines blurring between the broadcast, AV and cine sectors. “Growing overlaps between broadcast and pro AV are particularly exciting,” begins Crimp, “with a wide range of enterprises increasingly demanding broadcast-grade video for everything from live earnings calls to product launches to customer events. We’re seeing rising investment in AV production rooms for broadcast among retailers, brands and other businesses.” He concludes: “Today, many future-ready cloud-based production and distribution tools are just as likely to be producing and delivering live corporate events as live sports and entertainment.”
To cater to consumer demand, “we’re hosting an all-new AV Speed Pitch Event, in partnership with the AV User Group,” says Crimp, “to enable technology providers to showcase their latest innovations to non-media audiences across the retail, education and finance sectors.” Participants will be able to pitch Astra Zeneca, Bank of America, Barclays, Deliveroo, UBS and other potential stakeholders.
Virtual production is also playing a key role in this industry overlap, “driving convergence and collaboration in new and exciting ways,” claims Crimp. “A growing range of broadcasters, education institutions, film studios and gaming companies are harnessing a blend of immersive audio-visual technologies every day across virtual sets, incorporating next-generation VFX, LED walls, gaming engines, 3D environments and XR tools into holistic production workflows. IBC 2024 will showcase leading providers from across the virtual production landscape,” he goes on to say, including Brainstorm, Ross Video, Vizrt and many more.
Meet and greet
As the industry evolves, so does the demand for specific skillsets, with many entry-level workers often getting left in the dark. IBC’s new Talent Programme targets some of these skills gaps while also addressing the need for more inclusive work environments. “Working with a fantastic line-up of expert partners and industry trailblazers, IBC is hosting a range of sessions and workshops, fuelling training and mentorship, skills development, recruitment and diversity initiatives to foster emerging talent,” describes Crimp.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of networking opportunities for mid-weight professionals, managers, directors and executives, such as the Welcome Party, lounge talks or other exclusive events. The annual IBC Innovation Awards – celebrating industry advancements across five categories: content creation; content distribution; content everywhere; environment and sustainability; and social impact – are also open to all. To fill any gaps in your diary (though we doubt you’ll have many), we recommend the Beach for a casual catch-up with friends and colleagues.
With all its additions, IBC 2024 appeals to an even wider market than ever before, “with many exhibitors increasing their stand space and over 150 first-timers,” according to Crimp. Plus, the conference has over 325 speakers “across an expanded content offering, so there really will be a session for everybody. It will kick off with internationally renowned media and technology analyst Benedict Evans giving a keynote on ‘Navigating a changing media landscape.’” Other presenters include Hardeep Dhaliwal, head of data capability at ITV; Vanda Rapti, EVP of Viaplay Select & content distribution at Viaplay Group; David Bouchier, chief TV and entertainment officer at Virgin Media O2; Christina Gomila, MD content and innovation at Sky; and Kasia Jablonska, director of digital and on-demand for EMEA at BBC Studios.
Whether it’s your first or 15th visit, there’s something to inspire you at IBC. Grab some comfortable shoes, a rucksack and a refillable bottle (trust us) – we’ll see you in Amsterdam!
Holy halls!
Atomos | 11.D25
Atomos, known for its touchscreen monitors and removable storage, will showcase its Ninja Phone – which turns an iPhone into a 10-bit HDR recorder – and Sun Dragon, a 2000-lumen, five-colour LED strip.
Blackmagic Design | 6.MS5, 7.C49
Blackmagic is leading the creative video revolution with a long history in post-production editing and engineering. Famous for DaVinci Resolve and the Multiview monitor, the company excels across both software and hardware.
Brainstorm | 7.B47
Brainstorm leads in real-time 3D graphics, virtual production, extended and augmented reality and studio solutions, demonstrating technologies across previsualisation, camera tracking and virtual sets.
Clear-Com | 10.D29
A global provider of real-time communications solutions, Clear-Com links people together. Serving the broadcast, live events, sport, military, aerospace and government sectors, its products provide high-quality audio, reliability, scalability and low latency.
Cobalt Digital | 10.B41
Cobalt Digital designs and manufactures 12G/3G/HD/SD conversion, throwdown and multiviewer technology that both meets today’s demands and adapts to tomorrow’s challenges.
Dejero | 2.B09
Driven by a vision of reliable connectivity anywhere, Dejero delivers real-time video and networking solutions which provide resilient, uninterrupted internet connectivity for critical communications.
EVS Broadcast Equipment | 5.G08
An international provider of live video technology for broadcast and news media, EVS solutions – which span the entire production process – deliver live sport, series and breaking news to billions of viewers every day, in real time.
Friend MTS | 1.BS12, 1.BS13
Dedicated to innovation in content and platform security, Friend MTS has developed a comprehensive suite of services across watermarking, content monitoring and business intelligence.
Goose | 5.F26
Goose offers a cost-effective OTT SaaS platform, delivering a comprehensive all-in-one solution that’s backed by cloud-based infrastructure.
Gsertel | 8.D76
Spanish company Gsertel helps broadcasters and media regulators identify and diagnose QoS problems affecting television and radio. Now supporting 4G and 5G broadcasts, Gsertel’s portfolio allows the client to pinpoint precisely where the problem lies.
Harmonic | 1.B20
A global leader in virtualised broadband and video delivery solutions, Harmonic enables media companies and service providers to deliver ultra-high-quality video streaming and broadcast services, changing how providers monetise live and on-demand content.
Hawk-Woods | 12.A66
Hawk-Woods designs and manufactures professional-grade power solutions – always keeping simplicity at the forefront of its ethos – with a range of products that includes batteries, chargers and power adapters.
Inorain | 5.B13
Inorain offers OTT A-to-Z software solutions – supported on most smart TVs, mobile devices and browsers – for providers to deliver and monetise their content. It currently enjoys more than a million end users.
Inverto | 1.A47
Inverto is a leading supplier of broadcast reception equipment and video streaming solutions, serving major DTH operators across the world. The company has secured a leading position in a host of new breakthrough technologies.
Irdeto | 1.D51
A world leader in digital platform security with 50 years of experience, Irdeto offers solutions and services that enable customers to protect their revenue, create new offerings and fight cybercrime effectively.
Lawo | 8.B90
With a unified approach that combines workflow management and control, physical I/O, processing and human interfaces, Lawo creates optimised solutions for TV broadcasts and on-air radio, performing arts, houses of worship and professional AV.
Mediagenix | 1.B47
The trusted partner to more than 200 media companies globally, the Mediagenix modular SaaS platform orchestrates the entire content lifecycle, actively driving content lifetime value and enabling consistent audience engagement.
Panasonic Connect | 2.G102
Panasonic Connect brings innovation to its customers’ operations, creating more optimised workflows via software, edge devices and other technology across supply chain, public services, infrastructure and entertainment. By appointment only.
Qvest | 10.C24, 10.C31
Qvest helps clients achieve future-orientated change via advanced- technology implementations, such as multiplatform content delivery, OTT solutions, artificial intelligence, data and analytics, multicloud management and IP infrastructures.
Riedel Communications | 10.A31, 10.A38
Riedel Communications’ three business units – Product, Managed Technology and Networks – provide the infrastructures, tools and services for both fixed and temporary installations, enabling its customers to run even the most complex live production projects.
Ross Video | 8.B91
Ross powers live video productions with the industry’s widest range of high-impact, high-efficiency solutions and services, including cameras, real-time motion graphics, production switchers, video servers, newsroom systems and more.
Sony | 13.A10, 13.D201
A household name in both consumer and professional technology, Sony offers everything from cine cameras and broadcast equipment to PTZs and monitors. Its products have been used across filmmaking and live production, as well as corporate, healthcare, education and retail.
Tata Communications | 14.H06
Tata Communications, part of Tata Group, provides network services and software-defined network platforms that act as end-to-end ecosystems, helping its customers achieve their digital transformation objectives.
Vizrt | 10.A41
With a 25-year history of inventing simplified workflows for storytelling, Vizrt has helped reshape the way video is created and shared, offering solutions across graphics, remote production, live streaming, virtual reality and infrastructure. It’s aimed at creatives, storytellers and directors.
Yospace | 5.C77
Yospace specialises in dynamic ad insertion, monetising five Olympic Games, five Fifa World Cups and 35 Grand Slam tennis tournaments. During the Euro 2024 football tournament, the company stitched a whopping six billion adverts and delivered 2.3 billion stream starts across four continents.
Zixi | 5.A85
As part of IBC’s Accelerator Programme, Zixi will be demonstrating features and functionalities that allow broadcasters, OTT providers, sports leagues, regional sports networks and local affiliates to effortlessly reach global audiences by leveraging the Zixi Enabled Network.
This feature was first published in the Autumn 2024 issue of FEED.
