Paulette Pantoja Blu Digital Group Founder and CEO
What do you think has been one of the most exciting tech trends to emerge from 2023? 2023 has witnessed a seismic shift in the broadcast tech landscape, with the intensification of the ‘streaming wars’ standing out as a transformative trend. Established platforms are engaged in a relentless struggle for dominance, while niche streaming services are rapidly gaining ground by catering to the specific tastes and preferences of audiences. This fragmentation of the streaming landscape is both a challenge and an opportunity for broadcasters. To thrive in this extremely competitive environment, the key lies in content differentiation, the creation of original and engaging programming and a relentless commitment to enhancing the overall user experience. Favourite product launch? ChatGPT 4. It’s truly a game changer in the world of AI and has allowed for a fresh perspective on how we interact with technology. With its enhanced capabilities, ChatGPT 4 has opened up possibilities for more natural, meaningful conversations with AI. It’s not just
about answering questions; it’s about engaging in dynamic dialogues, providing personalised assistance and even offering creative solutions. What’s one key lesson from 2023 you will be taking into 2024? In 2024, it’s adapt or get lost in the fog of history. The streaming wars and the rise of OTT have rewritten the script, demanding broadcasters to be not just tech-savvy but innovation warriors. Viewer preferences rule the remote, so it’s ‘showtime’ for personalised content and dynamic engagement. As we venture forward, the broadcast tech industry must be agile, innovative and relentlessly viewer-focused, because in this digital era, the only constant is change, and the remote is in our viewers’ hands. Are there ethical aspects of the industry that you feel have noticeably improved in 2023? We’ve seen notable improvements in certain ethical aspects of broadcast and streaming media. Many broadcasters and streaming platforms have taken significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint by adopting more energy-
efficient technologies, implementing eco-friendly production practices and even exploring renewable energy sources for data centres. This shift towards more environmental responsibility reflects a growing awareness of the industry’s impact on the planet. Moreover, diversity and inclusion have become more prominent considerations in the content produced and promoted by broadcast and streaming media. There has been a noticeable increase in representation, both in front of and behind the camera. Content creators are increasingly recognising the importance of telling diverse stories and representing communities accurately. What are you most excited for in 2024? I’m most excited about the continued evolution of technology in the broadcast industry. We’re on the cusp of exciting changes, from even more immersive content experiences to the potential for AI-driven innovations that will reshape how we create and consume media. I can’t wait to see the groundbreaking ideas and innovations that will emerge, enriching the media landscape for both creators and viewers alike.
Dom Robinson Greening of Streaming Founder
What do you think has been one of the most exciting tech trends to emerge from 2023? Innovation around energy efficiency. We have been encouraging the industry
What’s one key lesson from 2023 you will be taking into 2024? The term ‘streaming and traditional broadcast’ has become ‘streaming and legacy broadcast.’ And about time too! Are there ethical aspects of the industry that you feel have improved in 2023? There’s far more talk about these kinds of things. We are all still weak on practical action. I’m really not sure if the cultural change is more than skin-deep yet, but it is coming. Activities like ‘offsetting’ have increasingly become dirty words, so
there is more caution (rightly so) about inadvertent green-washing. What are you most excited for in the next year? Collecting the research data from our various projects, feeding that into the industry and ESG reporting world, and helping the industry develop best practices for streaming when it comes to energy efficiency. If we are ambitious, we would hope to be on the road to a significant reduction in the global use of energy for streaming media and entertainment.
to take up the challenge, and it’s responding to that challenge!
Favourite product launch? Sustainability efforts are too early to be appearing as product launches, although I have seen some interesting demos. Fraunhofer, The UHD Forum and Zattoo (windmills project) have all impressed me with practical work and demos.
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