The broadcast industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by several key technological advancements. Industry experts recently convened to discuss the emerging trends shaping broadcast operations in 2025. AI and automation are revolutionizing content production and delivery, impacting workflows across the board. The shift towards IP-based workflows and cloud-based infrastructure is also accelerating, offering increased flexibility and scalability.
AI's influence extends from content creation (subtitles, VFX, sound effects) to delivery (ad placement, scheduling, personalized streaming menus). As Jan Weigner, CTO of Cinegy, notes: "AI is steadily chipping away at broadcast production in every corner... This will be a continuous process eating into existing workflows (read: jobs) — or if you prefer the positive spin: accelerating time-intensive processes and freeing creative resources to achieve more in less time."
Bea Alonso, an independent media tech consultant, highlights the integration of AI-powered tools into daily workflows, streamlining processes like newsroom scripting and video editing. This leads to increased efficiency but also requires adaptation and skill development within the industry. Sergio Brighel, EVP at Videndum, points to immersive technologies (AR, VR, mixed reality) and AI-driven automation as key emerging trends for 2025.
The move to IP-based infrastructures continues, with a growing reliance on software-defined processing and virtualized environments. Erling Hedkvist of Arkona and Manifold Technologies cites the "Virtual OB concept" as an example of a software-driven, virtualized solution leveraging commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies. Ciro Noronha of The RIST Forum emphasizes the role of remote production, facilitated by improved equipment, bandwidth, and transport protocols like RIST.
Content personalization and advertising are also undergoing significant shifts. Peter Docherty of ThinkAnalytics expects a rise in contextual and addressable advertising, driven by the phasing out of cookies. Steve Reynolds, CEO of Imagine Communications, highlights the enduring value of linear TV and the potential for innovative ad tech to enhance monetization strategies. Meghna Krishna of Magnifi discusses the impact of mobile eSports and the role of AI in hyper-personalized content and targeted advertising.
Immersive technologies like VR and AR are enhancing viewer experiences, particularly for live events. Experts like Yang Cai of VisualOn and James Cranfield of Cinedeck highlight the increasing adoption of AR and VR in production workflows. Richard Rees of QuickLink points out the potential for audience participation to create more engaging content. Narayanan Rajan of Media Excel emphasizes the acceleration of AI in content production, localization, and personalized content offerings.
The business model is also evolving, with DTC growth fueled by the popularity of streaming services. Gatis Gailis of Veset discusses the surge in interest in direct-to-consumer (DTC) platforms and their impact on content monetization. Michael Lantz of Accedo anticipates improved content packaging in SVOD services and experimentation with thematic content packaging. Kristan Bullett of Humans Not Robots highlights the continued drive for cost optimization and the importance of productivity measurement.
Cloud and workflow transformations are central to the discussion. Peter Watling of Perifery emphasizes the need to improve underlying, obsolete platforms. Martin Klampferer of Vizrt highlights cloud-based workflows, automation, and AI tools for faster content creation. Michael Demb of TAG Video Systems discusses the ongoing migration to cloud and hybrid technologies and the increasing demand for AI integration. Sanjay Duda of Planetcast Media Services notes the expansion of OpEx-driven and hybrid cloud models.
Social media integration and new platforms for content distribution are gaining traction. Mathieu Planche of Witbe anticipates increased integration between traditional streaming platforms and social media. Duncan Beattie of Tuxera discusses the impact of on-demand content and immersive experiences. Thorsten Sauer of Pixel Power points to the move towards "deploy anywhere" playout solutions. Gary Mundell of Loft Apps discusses the shift towards streaming services and AI-driven experiential content.
Security and standards remain critical. Russell Johnson of Hitomi Broadcast discusses the adoption of SMPTE ST 2110 and the challenges of managing color accuracy in HDR workflows. Tsviako Jongov of MainConcept highlights the evolution of the Brazilian broadcast market and the adoption of new standards like VVC and LCEVC. Jon Wilson of Grass Valley emphasizes the importance of intuitive human interfaces. Simon Hawkings of Ross Video highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in software-based and cloud-driven workflows. Peder Boberg of Intinor notes the adoption of SMPTE ST2022-7 for seamless redundancy.
The economic and business impact of these technological advancements is significant. Thorsten Sauer of Pixel Power discusses the ongoing cost of cloud storage and the persistence of hybrid models. Philip Grossman of DigitalGlue explores the benefits of location-independent operations enabled by IP-based workflows. Steve Reynolds of Imagine Communications discusses the economic advantages of IP for operations of all sizes. Vincent Noyer of Lynx Technik highlights the improved coverage of lower-tier sports leagues enabled by IP-based workflows.
Technical standards and implementation are key considerations. Russell Johnson of Hitomi Broadcast discusses the shift from the question of "should we adopt IP?" to managing the increased complexity of IP environments. Sid Stanley of Calrec highlights the role of IP in enabling flexibility and scalability. Tsviako Jongov of MainConcept emphasizes the importance of JPEG XS in IP transmission. Costa Nikols of Telos Alliance discusses the simplification of production architectures through the adoption of IP standards.
Remote production is delivering significant benefits, including cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Sergio Ammirata of SipRadius emphasizes the cost and carbon footprint reductions achieved through remote production. Ciro Noronha of The RIST Forum highlights the advantages of IP transport in enabling remote collaboration. Sergio Brighel of Videndum discusses distributed production models and the growth of cloud-based production and 5G streaming. Robin Kirchhoffer of Dalet highlights the use of IP-based workflows in capturing and producing live events at scale.
Operational flexibility and scalability are key advantages of IP-based workflows. Andy Rayner of Appear discusses the benefits of faster, more collaborative production models. Sanjay Duda of Planetcast Media Services notes the acceleration of IP-based workflows driven by cloud-first technologies. Michael Demb of TAG Video Systems discusses the need for comprehensive tools to handle the complexity of IP-based workflows. Richard Rees of QuickLink highlights the cost-efficiency and increased quality enabled by IP-based workflows.