FEED Spring 2025 Newsletter

FEED’s first issue of 2025 kicks off with a focus on personalisation, a crucial yet often unnoticed aspect of digital media. This issue also tackles the creator economy examining its opportunities and challenges for traditional media. The APAC region takes the spotlight on page 70, with our regional focus showcasing its advancements in live broadcast production. With AI reshaping media, FEED provides an AI in journalism update, highlighting how the industry can use AI to enhance rather than replace human reporting. Lastly, Xtreme covers the cutting-edge tracking tech in sports broadcasting—from digitised hockey pucks to esports’ rising female stars. Plus, check out our NAB guide as the industry gears up for this year's show!

feedmagazine.tv | SPRING 2025

Exploring the future of media technology

Women in esports

Creator economy

NAB Show 2025

AI vs journalism

LOST YOUR WAY? Mapping out the cutting-edge personalisation tools guiding user experience to a new level

Use this QR code to read the interactive version of FEED now!

Ringing in the spring! elcome to FEED ’s first issue of 2025! It feels good to be back, and we’re right on time W

EDITORIAL

EDITOR Verity Butler +44 (0)1223 492246 veritybutler@bright.uk.com SENIOR STAFF WRITER

networks and studios can leverage its lucrative nature to their advantage. Turn to page 70 for this issue’s regional focus, which delves into the rapidly evolving Asia-Pacific region – and how it is setting a new bar when it comes to sophisticated live broadcast production. We also knew it was high time for an AI in media update. Go to page 76 to read a deep dive into its profound effect on broadcast journalism, and how the industry can keep finding ways to use it as a tool to enhance rather than replace. Finally, don’t miss our sports broadcast segment Xtreme . From digitised hockey pucks to wired-up goals, our tracking focus discovers the cutting-edge tools keeping sports more accurate than ever before. Plus, meet the women hoping to change the esports narrative, promoting both increased awareness and coverage of the flourishing female field of gamers. And, if you hadn’t already noticed, FEED’ s design has had a fresh lick of paint since we last printed – courtesy of our head designer Carl Golsby. New year, new FEED !

Katie Kasperson FEATURES WRITER Oliver Webb

too, as members of the broadcast community pack their suitcases for the annual industry-wide pilgrimage to Las Vegas for NAB Show. As ever, our bumper show issue has got you covered with our insider’s guide over on page 16. We wanted to start this year off with a topic that’s so thoroughly embedded into our everyday digital lives that many don’t even realise it’s taking place: personalisation. As viewers are bombarded with a labyrinth of content, with advertisers subsequently struggling to engage them, personalisation tools present an efficient way forward. However, with people’s privacy at play, FEED is here to identify the best strategies to stay afloat in the delicate waters of user data. The term ‘creator economy’ may instil an immediate sense of dread for anyone hailing from the more traditional realms of media but, on page 48, Neal Romanek examines its pros (as well as cons) and how

CHIEF SUB EDITOR Matthew Winney SUB EDITORS Zanna Buckland, Minhaj Zia CONTRIBUTORS Paul Bray, Neal Romanek

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DESIGN

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VERITY BUTLER, EDITOR veritybutler@bright.uk.com

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CONTENTS SPRING 2025

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106

SPORTS REPORTER All the latest headlines and launches from the thriving sports media space

100

NEWSFEED The latest scoops in media tech, featuring everything from fresh product launches to major mergers

BEHIND THE BROADCAST WWE has launched on Netflix; join us for the BTS and what this signifies for broadcast

NORDICS FOCUS: PART 2 This instalment travels to Denmark to meet NXTV, which is serving the content needs of the northern nation

106

WOMEN IN ESPORTS The gaming sector is no

HAPPENING: NAB SHOW 2025 Jetting off to Las Vegas in April? Look no further as we bring you our 2025 show guide!

MASTERCLASS: XR From glossy virtual studios to interactive AR, this panel explores innovations in extended reality

stranger to stereotypes. Meet the women making a change

114

PERSONALISATION SPECIAL Content has never been more tailored to viewer habits. Discover the best tips and tricks in customisation

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY Sports have never been more accurate. Learn about the tools aiding that evolution

REGIONAL FOCUS: APAC We divulge the most pressing media- technology trends in the booming Asia-Pacific region

GENIUS INTERVIEW Dock10 head of studios Andy Waters joins us for our first Genius Interview of the year

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AI has had an impact on almost every industry in some way. We break down its influence on broadcast journalism

VIDEO CONTENT Check out all the latest exclusive video content – available to watch on FEED ’s YouTube channel!

CREATOR ECONOMY Social media and streaming

platforms have developed a whole new method of monetising content

START-UP SNAPSHOTS 37 CampusAI

This month’s cover was designed by Carl Golsby at Bright Publishing

HAPPENING: MPTS The Media Production and

75 Adapt 84 Sequel 99 Incisiv

Technology Show makes a return to London’s Olympia on 14-15 May

NEWSFEED

AUDIO HEAVEN BBC Radiophonic Workshop is making a huge range of original sounds and samples publicly available

SOUND

BBC Radiophonic Workshop A

collaboration between Spitfire Audio and BBC Studios is bringing the release of an unprecedented package of samples from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, creator of audio for shows from Doctor Who to Tomorrow’s World , including the Tardis engine and Daleks’ voices. For 40 years, the Radiophonic Workshop was the place to go for the sound of the impossible – the unruly engine behind the music and sound effects of Doctor Who , The Goon Show , Blake’s 7 , The

inspire artists. Musicians will be able to use modern techniques of bending, stretching and morphing to create something new, as well as having access to a variety of mics, the EMT turntable and Rogers loudspeakers made especially for the BBC, the Maida Vale plate and spring reverbs, modular synths, tape machines, EMS vocoder, echo chamber, Roland SVC-350 vocoder and Eventide H3000. These will be divided into Archive Content, Found Sounds, Junk Percussion, Tape Loops, Synths and a Miscellany.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy , The Living Planet and countless other productions from the BBC. The workshop’s unconventional methods produced a distinctive sonic signature that continues to

DELIVERING MAJOR STORIES IN MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY

WORKFLOWS

Mediagenix powers France Télévisions

ediagenix recently provided France Télévisions with the scalability to adapt to

the entertainment industry’s ever- evolving needs, with a streamlined, collaborative, data-driven content supply chain. This technical integration is enabling optimised workflows with enhanced efficiency through touchless operations, cross- platform audience engagement and management by exception. France Télévisions is the leading public broadcaster in all of France, reaching audiences across a wide range of television, digital and on- demand platforms. It now runs on unified processes via AWS cloud hosting, with systems integration across its content workflows, rights and media asset management, provided by Mediagenix.

OB TECHNOLOGY

KBS modernises using Lawo IP audio

he Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), South Korea’s

The HDTV-4, KBS’s largest OB vehicle, is designed for high-end productions with its 16-camera set-up and meticulously planned workspace. KBS completely renewed the van’s audio infrastructure, replacing legacy equipment with a Lawo mc²56 Audio Production Console, A__UHD Core audio engine, Power Core Gateway and an A__stage64 stagebox.

leading public broadcaster, added advanced IP-based audio solutions from Lawo to its HDTV-4 outside broadcast (OB) van. This modernisation enhances its performance, flexibility and efficiency in live broadcasting, ensuring it produces top-quality coverage of major events.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

NAB SHOW 5-9 April Las Vegas, USA

LIVE STREAMING

Smart switching for seamless broadcasting

PROLIGHT + SOUND 8-11 April Frankfurt, Germany

S tarfish Technologies is bringing new ideas for switching and insertion in real-time delivery streams. Developed in response to user requirements for broadcast, the latest application includes a seamless switch between a live stream and web page. This functionality was initially developed to provide high-quality coverage of minority and niche sports that can’t justify the cost of a full production crew. A producer/ director, working remotely, can receive feeds from a few cameras at the event and add graphics and insights from the website simply by switching to the live output.

DTG SUMMIT 8 May London, UK CABSAT 13-15 May Dubai, UAE MPTS 14-15 May London, UK

“This is widely used,” said Peter Blatchford, CMO at Starfish. “Broadcasters covering minority sports, or FAST channels adding live content, want the output to be really engaging on very tight budgets. If statistics and graphics services can’t be justified, it makes sense to use existing presentations from the web.”

INFOCOMM ASIA 23-25 July Bangkok, Thailand

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Think Media AI launched

hink Analytics has launched Think Media AI, the video industry’s first unified

AI-powered platform to encompass content monetisation, contextual advertising, content curation and bundling for video service providers. A flexible, modular solution, Think Media AI uses AI to unlock new monetisation opportunities across multiple business areas, including advertising and editorial, to enhance audience targeting and maximise content value. Think Media AI represents the next generation of Think Analytics’ portfolio, as it continues to expand with solutions across advertising, FAST and CTV. Building on over 20 years of expertise in AI innovation, this all- in-one platform tackles critical challenges for video providers – from discovery and personalised recommendations to voice, search, editorial and automated curation, A/B testing, actionable business insights and metadata enrichment. It’s all contained in a single solution for real ROI, increased viewer engagement, productivity gains, as well as reduced churn, upsell and monetisation opportunities fuelled by AI-powered personalisation and first- party data enrichment.

REPORTS & DATA

Streaming surveys M

agnite (Nasdaq: MGNI) has recently unveiled the results of its latest study, Why Streaming TV Is a Must-Buy, which has highlighted how UK audiences engage with streaming TV and the effectiveness of ad placements within premium content environments. The findings underscore the growing importance of streaming TV as a trusted and impactful advertising channel. Key insights from the study include the following: ads shown in premium streaming environments are perceived as more trustworthy, with 68% of UK viewers displaying confidence in the ads on

streaming TV, compared to 45% for video-sharing platforms (VSPs). Ads on streaming TV deliver 8% higher brand recognition than those on VSPs. Viewers exposed to ads in premium streaming environments are also 6% more likely to make a purchase, 9% more likely to discover new brands and 5% more likely to take action compared to those on VSPs. The study also highlights the growing adoption of smart TVs, which now account for 22 million households in the UK, with 91% of ad-supported streaming viewers choosing to watch on a smart TV.

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INDUSTRY

INTERCOMS

TRANSMITTERS

AMAGI AND ABC JOIN FORCES Amagi has partnered with ABC

CLEAR-COM COMES TO KAZAKHSTAN Clear-Com has designated DIAS Company as an official authorised service centre for Clear-Com products in Kazakhstan, central Asia and the Caucasus region. This strengthens Clear-Com’s ability to provide comprehensive service and support to its customer base in these territories, with unmatched local expertise and speedy, efficient repairs.

TELECINCO TRANSMISSIONS Telecinco Media Holdings has chosen Rohde & Schwarz as a key partner to modernise the broadcast distribution of its Mayagüez-based WORA-TV station. Given Puerto Rico’s high energy costs, Telecinco sought out the high-powered, energy-efficient THU9evo liquid-cooled transmitter with 24 amplifiers from Rohde & Schwarz for WORA-TV.

Commercial to launch a suite of FAST channels. This partnership signifies ABC Commercial’s commitment to evolving with the media landscape. The rollout of the channel suite is expected to lead with North America, with plans to expand into broader English-speaking territories, Europe and Asia.

SUSTAINABILITY

EMG/Gravity Media sets sustainability standard

MG/Gravity Media has announced a milestone in sustainable broadcasting with the fully electric 19T tender vehicle joining its fleet. As the first electric vehicle of its kind in the UK broadcast industry to

support outside broadcasts, it will be deployed for London-based projects to assess performance and inform further electrification of the company’s fleet. The Volvo FE Electric truck delivers a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel vehicles, producing 96% less CO2 and 98% less NOx than HVO-fuelled Volvo FE diesel trucks. With zero tailpipe emissions, it contributes to keeping air clean. This addition to the large fleet of over 65 commercial vehicles contributes to EMG/Gravity Media’s commitment to the TV and broadcast industry’s transition to a greener future.

VIRTUAL PRODUCTION

Brompton powers Malaysian VP studio

he National Film Development Corporation Malaysia

Established in 1998, FINAS Studios is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s film industry. The complex features three studios for the use of film industry professionals: a flagship 790 sq m space and two smaller 97 sq m studios. In response to industry evolution, FINAS transitioned from its green-screen set-up to a fully integrated VP system for better compatibility with all the latest filmmaking technology and practices.

(FINAS) has made significant advances in the nation’s film industry. Its ICVFX VP studio, equipped with Brompton Technology’s Tessera LED video processors, is located in Ampang Jaya and was upgraded last year. It is now fully operational; a modern facility to meet the growing demands of filmmakers and content creators in Malaysia.

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CLOUD

STUDIOS

CONTROL ROOMS

ON CLOUD NINE BCNEXXT is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver automated deployment of cloud resources within Vipe. Unlike traditional systems that rely on fixed allocated resources like virtual machines, Vipe leverages advanced AWS cloud-native features. This revolutionary approach minimises resource usage and keeps costs to a minimum.

GALWAY GALES CJP Broadcast Service Solutions built a new green-screen studio for TG4, the major Irish-language broadcaster based in Galway. It had a very small space for its weather forecasts, and in an open tender process, CJP suggested greater flexibility was achievable with a 5x3m L-shaped screen and walls curving through a 400mm radius into the green floor.

DESKS AND DISPLAYS Custom Consoles has completed a large Module-R control desk and Media Wall video display mount for a demo suite at Grass Valley’s Polish sales and support facility. Module-R desks offer freedom in size and configuration, and can be modified or expanded throughout their working life. The Krakow-based premises are one of Grass Valley’s four EMEA sites.

PTZs

Powerful Panasonic PTZ released

anasonic Connect’s new AW-UE150AW/AK 4K PTZ camera has been

4K video transmission. This is in addition to existing support for SRT and NDI HX2 protocols, ensuring steady performance in unstable network conditions. It is also compatible with 12G-SDI, two 3G-SDIs, HDMI and fibre output formats. This enables easy integration of the UE150AW/AK into a variety of on-site production systems, as well as Panasonic’s AK-HRP1010GJ or HRP1015GJ remote operation panel for colour

matching with studio cameras. Equipped with a high-sensitivity 1.0-type 4K MOS sensor, the PTZ camera delivers high-quality video, with a wide-angle lens, 20x optical zoom and built-in auto- tracking functionality. Its enhanced Optical Image Stabiliser minimises image shake during pan and tilt operations, with upgraded synchronisation of pan, tilt and zoom presets for smoother camera operation.

designed to meet the needs of professional broadcasters and content creators. The UE150AW/ AK is the successor to the AW- UE150 – the PTZ camera of choice for many rental, staging and broadcast applications. The UE150AW/AK supports the NDI High Bandwidth protocol, enabling IP-based, low-latency

INDUSTRY

INTERCOMS

TV Tech connects teams

Synthesia secures $180m

ynthesia has announced the successful close of its $180 million Series D round of funding. Synthesia is an AI-powered video-creation platform that uses avatars to speak from text. It’s a popular tool for communication, training and advertising. The round was led by NEA, with participation from existing investors, including GV, MMC Ventures and First Mark, and new backers World Innovation Lab (WiL), PSP Growth and Atlassian Ventures. This brings the company’s total capital raised to over $330m, valuing it at $2.1b and cementing it as a pioneer in GenAI for enterprise video communications. S

he growing demands of an episodic weekly TV show currently in production and airing on a major streaming platform out of Boulder, Colorado has

led TV Tech to deploy Clear-Com products. Tasked with building the video and audio infrastructure for the show, TV Tech used Clear-Com’s Gen-IC virtual intercom and Arcadia Central Station to connect on-site and remote teams. The show is filmed in a 10,000 sq ft studio in Boulder with a production team of over 30 members that needed to be connected, including camera operators, sound engineers, directors and on-site producers.

VIRTUAL PRODUCTION

JP Broadcast Service Solutions is working with Buckinghamshire New CJP developing new VP studio for BNU C University (BNU) to develop new VP facilities. Installation of a high- resolution 6x3m LED wall is central to the project. After a competitive tender process, a compelling case was made for university investment. The project’s success stems from the continuing relationships created, not just CJP providing initial training for the academics and support staff who will use the studio, but also all the key suppliers who can form links with students and the faculty. The LED wall will be accompanied by high-power computer workstations and VP graphics software. A high- resolution digital cinematography camera gives students complete creative freedom in the studio. It also includes a refresh of the lighting grid with modern, low-energy luminaires.

APPLICATIONS Canon releases Colour Matching Application

ecently launched, the free-to-download Camera Colour Matching

“A major pain point for broadcasters is the time it takes to colour match cameras. This application allows for rapid colour matching between the CR-N700 and other cameras on-set. This will save video engineers precious time in set- up,” said Canon Europe product marketing specialist Jack Adair. Perfect for news, live events, entertainment, concerts and reality shows, where time is always critical, the app can quickly match colours between supported Canon cameras and third-party models.

Application is a new specialist Canon app for PCs, offering dramatic time-saving benefits and simple operation. The Camera Colour Matching Application works by capturing colour charts from designated units and generating a 3D lookup table that can be imported into the CR-N700 broadcast PTZ camera. It’s quick, easy and can be used by anyone, regardless of whether they’re familiar with colour management technology.

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LIVE STREAMING

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

STUDIOS

TERADEK AND PHENIX PARTNER UP Teradek has announced an integration with Phenix Real Time Solutions for ultra- low-latency WebRTC streaming with its Prism series of 4K HEVC encoders and decoders. Designed for broadcasters, live event producers and enterprises, the integration allows clients to deliver synchronised, real-time video with end-to- end latency as low as 250 milliseconds.

A NEW ERA OF AI Bitcentral is launching Fusion Insights, an AI-powered solution designed to enable broadcasters, production teams and digital content curators to maximise the value of their media assets, deliver impactful decision-making and enhance workflow efficiency. Growing content archives pose increasing challenges in asset location and monetisation.

SBA BOOSTS STUDIO A Grass Valley will support the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) in the transformation of Studio A, the core news and talk show studio for SBA’s flagship channel Saudi One. Grass Valley’s 4K-ready solutions – LDX 98 cameras, K-Frame Kayenne 4 M/E switchers and Densité processing kit – are pillars of innovation for Studio A.

INDUSTRY

Hassle-free TV service launched

RADIO

gile TV, United Teleports and BNS have announced a new fully managed TV service to address the limitations of existing video services and the needs of North American network operators who want to provide more value for their customers. It combines traditional pay TV and OTT services in a single intuitive interface. North American network operators face challenges in gaining sufficient A

revenue from video services to offset capital and operational costs as the rise of vMVPDs and OTT services erodes market share. The Agile TV service offers the perfect combination of innovation, service management and shared risk so network operators can continue to deliver competitive and regionalised video services without the burden of having to finance and maintain complex pay TV systems.

Cégep de Jonquière sees mixing upgrade

égep de Jonquière public college in Quebec, Canada has upgraded to an AES67

IP infrastructure with the installation of 22 Calrec Audio Type R mixing systems. Delivering the latest real-world experiences for its radio students, the installation is part of a total overhaul of its dedicated l’École supérieure en Art et technologie des médias department. “It gives us much more flexibility and reliability, enabling us to share every source destination or studio/ booth without DAs or physical patch cords, as well as remove a lot of technical equipment from our CER,” said Alexandre Morin, technician and project manager for l’École. Working with integrators Applied Electronics and Calrec’s Canadian partner True North AV, the installation was designed to meet the college’s exact needs. Applied Electronics installed Type R mix environments in four on-air broadcast studios and 18 individual recording booths. The college uses Type R’s large soft panel with the Calrec Assist application in all its recording booths, with physical Type R fader modules in its studios.

iedel Communications is acquiring MECSware and launching private 5G network solution Easy 5G. Easy 5G redefines private 5G deployment, combining the simplicity of Wi-Fi with the robustness of carrier-grade systems. It can be operational in under 60 minutes, cutting deployment time by weeks. No specialised 5G expertise or dark fibre is needed – Easy 5G can be managed by general R Riedel unveils Easy 5G

IT personnel using a standard switch infrastructure. Unlike public 5G services that can struggle with high user density, Easy 5G operates on dedicated network frequencies, pairing MECSware’s advanced mobile edge cloud server with small- cell base stations for superior performance and reliability.

RADIO

INDUSTRY

SOUND

RADIO GA GA To create more flexibility, encourage growth and future-proof its infrastructure, Radio Botswana has upgraded from its 60-year-old analogue system to IP with installation of a Calrec Type R mixing system. With Dega Broadcast Systems, it took advantage of Type R’s modular and customisable features to adapt each studio to a specific set of needs.

ROHDE & SCHWARZ ACQUIRE CLIPSTER Renowned Clipster mastering solution by Cinecert has been acquired by Rohde & Schwarz, which reaffirms its commitment to its customer base and focus on software-based solutions in broadcasting with products for channel origination, playout and multiviewing. The media production community will continue to benefit from Cinecert’s expertise.

MAJOR SHURE MICROPHONE LAUNCH Shure has unveiled the Move Mic 88+, revolutionising mobile audio as the first-of-its-kind wireless direct-to-phone stereo mic with selectable polar patterns. Following the success of the acclaimed MV88 Digital Stereo condenser mic and MV88+ video kit, this records exceptional audio and video, with mic placement that doesn’t sacrifice the perfect shot.

The media industry is rapidly changing. Which direction should businesses go to get ahead of demand? Creativity Connected

A profound shift is taking place in the media industry, with companies moving away from traditional physical methods to adopt new digital-first workflows. Driven by advancements in personalisation technologies, AI, 5G and the cloud, these innovations are extending beyond enhanced efficiency, reshaping the way stories are told, managed and distributed. While the buzz surrounding these technologies has raised key questions about the future of media and entertainment, adopting new processes alone is not enough to stay competitive – especially considering the growing demands of modern media consumers. The next phase of successful business transformation calls for a cultural shift that incentivises innovation and creative thinking. The impact of streaming culture Media consumption has changed in the last five years. Audiences are now inundated with technological excess and are demanding more content than ever before. High- quality entertainment is expected whenever and wherever possible.

Get equipped for media’s latest evolution

According to GWI, 43% of surveyed TV consumers admit they binge-watch more than three episodes of a show at a time, whereas only 19% prefer streaming a series with scheduled weekly releases. This on-demand way of viewing has left media companies in a constant battle to keep up with the unrelenting pace of change. The problem is that this momentum shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The power of creative thinking in media operations is more apparent than ever. According to a recent study, 70% of surveyed companies believe creative thinking will become an increasingly critical skill in the upcoming years. Why? Because a monumental challenge like this needs to be turned on its head, and it is creative thinking – taking on a completely new perspective to problem solving – that can help media companies overcome the mire. That being said, it’s time for media companies to reimagine their approach to transformation within their business to secure a resilient and sustainable future.

With major technological transitions taking place – from Hybrid SDI/IP to Hybrid Ground/Cloud – it can be easy to take the ‘big bang’ approach to business transformation. Sony, however, is aware of the significant investment organisations have in their existing infrastructure. It can help you find a way to embrace the new while maximising return on existing systems. The first step is to identify the key business challenges and adopt a growth mindset. This means distancing from linear thinking and stepping outside the traditional operational business framework. media companies need workflow solutions, streamlining tasks so the workforce can focus on more creative and strategic initiatives. Technologies are becoming more accessible and, when integrated in the right way, provide businesses with the opportunity to reinvent Upgrade and reinvent processes In fast-paced environments,

their processes, unlocking operational efficiencies, new

the push necessary to create fast- tracked technological advances, resulting in essential practices that would extend beyond the pandemic. By working with the grain and empowering the workforce to develop creative problem-solving abilities, media companies can forge a culture where people learn from one another and respond to the various challenges thrown in their direction. Creative thinking: The way to go for media companies To succeed in the demanding age of binge-watching and instant access, creative problem solving is the ultimate catalyst for innovation. However, it’s important to note that there is a balance to be met. For creativity to realise its potential, it should be directed in the right way to meet the preferences and needs of today’s customers. This means finding ways to do more with less and discerning between chasing trends and authentic storytelling. When it comes to technology, the way you implement it is what really counts. Media companies should thoroughly evaluate and strategise new tech integrations, asking questions like: What problem does this address, and is there a better way to overcome it? With on-hand expertise, Sony can help media companies navigate these integrations and transformations. By strategically embracing both tech and creative problem solving, media organisations can go beyond the status quo and prepare for a sustainable future, redefining how stories are told and distributed.

revenue streams and alternative ways to tell stories. To no surprise, AI has been a popular contender for these process upgrades, automating mundane tasks like speech-to- text subtitling, captioning and translating. In this context, it can revitalise an astounding amount of archive content, which otherwise wouldn’t have been financially feasible. With these changes, larger audiences can enjoy previously inaccessible media, expanding reach and inclusivity. 5G is another technology transforming live broadcasting by reshaping production workflows, especially in live coverage. Broadcasters are using 5G to unlock new storytelling angles, including point-of-view perspectives in competitive sports, made possible by innovative camera placements. Establishing a growth mindset Equally important as technology integration is encouraging a culture of experimentation and adaptability in the workplace. Cultivating an agile culture can have a positive effect on a business’s ability to react to industry challenges in a timely manner. This flexibility will be critical to navigating the landscape as it continues to shift. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw production teams react with incredible speed. Despite sets becoming constrained by regimented safety protocols, these creative teams banded together to find alternative production techniques and continue filming. In this, cast members would perform in front of giant LED screens displaying 3D location imagery. Then, using game-engine software, post-production could weave these elements together into clear, cohesive visuals. While these challenges originally created significant barriers, it was

›› Broadcasters are using 5G to unlock new storytelling angles ‹‹

19% 70% 43% of surveyed TV consumers say they binge-watch more than three episodes at a time, whereas only prefer streaming a series with scheduled weekly releases of surveyed companies believe creative thinking will become an increasingly critical skill in the upcoming years

Come and see Sony at NAB Show stand N439!

statista.com

Grab your poker chips and put on your comfiest trade show trainers – it’s time to head to the Las Vegas Convention Center for the premier event for the broadcast, media and entertainment industries NAB Show 2025: Guide

Words by Verity Butler

A ny active member of the usual Gregorian calendar. For those in broadcast, that usually makes April a significant date for the diary, with the return of NAB Show. Easily America’s most significant event for the broadcast community, it convenes decision-makers from around the globe – offering valuable insights, cutting-edge tools and lots of innovative technology that enables storytelling at scale. As proud and long-term media partners of the show, FEED is here with our annual guide to tell you everything you need to know about this year’s event, taking place from 5 to 9 April. What’s new? the media-tech industry tends to find their year divided up by key trade show events rather than No two NAB Shows are the same, and each year the event’s organisers introduce new elements to enhance both visitor and exhibitor experience. Here’s what’s new for 2025: n Sports Summit A two-day event that will explore trends, tech and opportunities transforming the fan experience, remodelling the business with new licensing opportunities and redefining the media rights landscape. n Expanded Creator Lab The Creator Lab is back and bigger than ever. It serves as a dedicated marketplace for all brands, creators and influencers to learn and conduct business on the show floor in this evolving media universe. personalising viewer experiences and increasing revenue opportunities, AI technologies will be a key presence on the show floor and in dedicated tracks for all leaders. n Techconnect conference A technology education conference targeting public media professionals, Techconnect takes place on 4 April at the Las Vegas Convention Center. n Artificial intelligence From enhancing storytelling to

Sports Summit Out of the three new additions,

n Engaging audiences through on- air talent: Discover how the National Football League and industry leaders use on-air talent to elevate content, build fan loyalty and enhance audio connections. Speakers include Tracy Perlman, SVP of player operations at the NFL. n Women’s sports – growing radio and podcasting: Women’s sports were predicted to generate $1.28 billion globally in 2024 according to Deloitte – a 300% rise in three years. n The future of personalised sports broadcast: Powered by Microsoft, this activation will highlight how AI can deliver a fully customised sports broadcast tailored to individual viewer preferences. n AWS F1 Simulators: Experience interactive activations where fans can feel like they’re in the action. n Sports Business Hub: The latest tools for engagement and how to monetise the fan experience.

the one we’re most excited for is the Sports Summit. While the broadcast landscape is a forever-evolving entity, the sports sector remains a constant, with demand and monetisation opportunities ever on the up. Officially titled Sports Summit: The future of sports rights and fan experience, the three-day programme explores the technology and trends transforming the fan experience and driving new revenue streams. The summit will bring together industry leaders to discuss how technologies like real-time analytics and immersive fan experiences are transforming content delivery. Additionally, the rise of athlete-owned media ventures and changes like the NCAA NIL rule are creating new licensing opportunities and reshaping media rights. Here’s what you can expect from the summit:

IT’S SHOWTIME Whether it’s film, news or gaming, NAB is the ultimate destination for content creation tech

Introducing Techconnect Debuting this year, NAB Show has teamed up with Public Media Venture Group (PMVG) to host Techconnect ’25, a top-tier technology education conference for public media pros. “Bringing Techconnect to NAB Show creates a great opportunity for public media technologists to engage with the broader broadcast and media technology ecosystem,” says John Clark, senior vice president of emerging technology, NAB. “This collaboration not only strengthens NAB Show’s commitment to the future of content delivery and infrastructure, it also offers public media professionals direct access to the latest innovations.” This marks the first time a fully integrated public media technology training conference is going to be hosted in partnership with NAB Show, building on decades of independently produced events targeting the public television sector. technologists and NAB Show alike, combining world-class programming with convenience and efficiency for both the hosts and attendees of Techconnect,” comments Marc Hand, CEO of PMVG. “NAB Show is a world-class event, and we look forward to Techconnect ’25 being the first of many opportunities to partner on providing technology education for the unique and critical US public media industry.” “This partnership is a game changer for the public media

Speakers and keynotes This year’s show will commence with a one-on-one conversation featuring sports media personality Stephen A Smith during the welcome session on 7 April. He will be interviewed by Mike McVay, president of McVay Media Consulting, offering valuable insights. Also on the sports side, WWE president Nick Khan and CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque will discuss the brand’s evolution. Don’t miss this issue’s WWE BTS feature in Xtreme on page 100. NAB Show will also be spotlighting entrepreneurs like Gotham Chopra – the award-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Religion of Sports – who will deliver a compelling keynote titled Peak Human: Unleashing the Champion Within. Set for 6 April, he will kick off the much-anticipated new Sports Summit.

Other speakers to watch out for: Bobby Carter, host & series producer, Tiny Desk Concerts , NPR Jasmine Enberg, VP, principal analyst, Emarketer Stephen A Smith, host, ESPN Joaquin Duro, EVP of sports, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Brian Lawlor, president, Scripps Sports Marian Pittman, president of content, Cox Media Group Bruno Seros Ulloa, co-founder, president & COO, Latination Media Mayur Srinivasan, SVP, digital video platform, Fox Rob Weisbord, COO & president of local media, Sinclair Monica Williams, SVP, digital products & operations, content distribution, NBCUniversal Sean Atkins, CEO, Dhar Mann Studios Cassandra Bankson, CEO, CBLLC Tinashe Chaponda, CEO, Sosani Tyler Chou, founder & CEO, Creators’ Attorney Brit Starr, chief marketing officer, CreatorIQ Thai Randolph, board member & interim CEO, Rock the Bells Rene Ritchie, creator liaison, YouTube

TALK ABOUT IT NAB Show will play host to various speakers offering expert insights into the latest trends

Best of booths Talks and conferences aside, the show floor is what makes up the majority of the convention. Check out this year’s top picks.

Yospace West Hall – W2325

Yospace has been at the forefront of the digital video revolution for 25 years. Its pioneering dynamic ad-insertion technology has helped monetise six Olympic Games, five Fifa World Cups and 35 grand slam tennis tournaments. The company has over 2000 live channels under management and stitches between four and six billion ads per month.

Clear-Com North Hall – N2147

Clear-Com, an HME company, is a trusted international provider of real- time communications solutions and services since 1968. Over the years, it has consistently innovated market- proven technologies that link people together through wired and wireless systems. Clear-Com was the first to market portable wired intercom systems for live performances.

Lawo North Hall – N623

Lawo is a global technology partner with a long history of delivering innovative solutions for live media production workflows. With a unified approach that combines workflow management and control, physical I/O, processing and human interfaces, Lawo creates optimised solutions for productions including television broadcast and on-air radio, performing arts, houses of worship and professional AV.

Octopus Newsroom South Hall Lower – SL8513

Octopus Newsroom is a leading provider of cutting-edge newsroom solutions, empowering broadcasters worldwide with innovative tools for streamlined news production and collaboration. The organisation is transforming the way newsrooms operate, equipping broadcasters with state-of-the-art tools to make news production faster, smarter and more efficient than ever before.

Brainstorm South Hall Lower – SL2716

IT STARTS HERE With hands-on demos and expert panels, NAB Show is the home of media innovation

Brainstorm’s advanced, yet user- friendly products meet today’s rapidly evolving broadcast and AV market requirements by providing state- of-the-art real-time 3D graphics, VP/XR, AR and virtual studio solutions. With more than 3000 installations worldwide, its client base includes many of the world’s largest broadcasters – plus smaller and regional stations, production houses, film facilities and many other content providers, including esports, corporations and internet creators.

Christie South Hall Lower – SL5708

Christie is a global audio and visual technologies company with a vision: helping customers create brilliant and unforgettable shared experiences. Customers from around the world rely on Christie’s solutions – from a wide range of projections including advanced RGB pure laser projection, LCD panels, video walls

processes and an intuitive platform that simplifies collaboration.

and video wall processors, to SDVoE technology, content management, image processing and more.

Cobalt Digital South Hall Lower – SL5123

Qvest West Hall – W2055

Founded by Gene Zimmerman in 1997 and based in Champaign, Illinois, Cobalt Digital designs and manufactures award-winning 12G/3G/HD/SD conversion, throwdown and multiviewer tech for the production and broadcast television environments. To Cobalt, signal processing is about more than simply powerful processing and system capabilities; just as important are scalable, cost-effective and real- world solutions that not only meet today’s demands, but also adapt to tomorrow’s challenges.

AJA Video Systems South Hall Lower – SL3310

With deep expertise in media, information and communications technology, Qvest supports its customers in transforming their business towards digitalisation, cloud and AI. Qvest’s customers include numerous global brands from industries such as media and entertainment, telecommunications, health and pharmaceuticals, automotive, consumer goods, retail, transportation and logistics – as well as companies from the public sector. Blackmagic Design South Hall Lower – SL216, SL8016 Blackmagic creates the highest- quality video editing products, digital film cameras, colour correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real-time film scanners for the feature film, post-production and television broadcast industries.

Since 1993, AJA Video Systems has been a leading manufacturer of the latest technology for the broadcast, cinema, professional AV and post-production markets. The company develops a range of powerful, flexible video interface and conversion technologies, digital video recording solutions, as well as colour management, streaming and remote production tools.

Sony North Hall – N439

Happy Scribe West Hall – W4201

This year, Sony will showcase Creativity Connected, highlighting an exciting range of new products and technologies. These include solutions for live production, news and virtual production. In addition, Sony’s booth experience will be themed around the popular anime series Demon Slayer , which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Happy Scribe understands that reaching a global audience is essential for unlocking new revenue streams in media production and distribution. However, the current process of localising film and video is complex and costly. Happy Scribe changes this with its AI-powered subtitling, transcription and dubbing engine, expert-in-the-loop review

EXPANSIVE COVERAGE Zixi has been supporting Sinclair in transforming its network management

Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Mike Kralec shares key insights on his tool of choice when it comes to redefining broadcast architecture

B efore partnering with “We’re in the midst of a transformation programme that involves moving all of our broadcast automation and playout to the cloud using AWS,” begins Mike Kralec, SVP and chief technology officer for Sinclair Broadcast Group. “Initially, when we started that Zixi, Sinclair faced certain challenges when it came to ensuring a steadfast delivery of content. process, Zixi wasn’t a partner of ours and we were using other methods for transporting the streams between

our television stations and the cloud,” continues Kralec. “When we began to take all those feeds to and from the television stations, we started to see some instability in the network. We have stations across the United States, in almost every market, and in each of those we might have a different network circuit and a different internet service provider that introduces some inconsistencies. “It wasn’t as stable as we’d have liked it to be and wasn’t an optimal design in terms of network architecture. So, we started looking

into reconfiguring the network using Zixi to develop a much more flexible infrastructure with consistent performance. One of the biggest operational challenges is operating our diverse IP network across a national footprint.” Implementing Zixi has transformed Sinclair’s broadcasting capabilities, particularly in terms of efficiency and cost savings. “We’re spending a lot less time on troubleshooting,” Kralec adds. “It’s also more cost-effective for us than how we were set up previously. Although there’s a licence fee, there’s also a reduction in cost for transport to the cloud endpoint and we simply don’t spend as much time worrying about drops in our video streams or disconnections in the cloud. That greater stability gives us the opportunity to spend time on things that are more important. A trusted platform One of the main pros of using Zixi is that it’s trusted on the network side, and it’s the most complete platform for managing live broadcast-quality

TEAM PLAYER Zixi works well with many different protocols from other vendors

›› One of the main pros of using Zixi is that it’s trusted on the network side ‹‹

networks across the nation, from all stations through to the cloud,” he concludes. “It’s given us that flexible architecture so we can reconfigure things as we transform further. It’s opened those conversations out to other broadcasters and distributors about how our changes could potentially help them as well and continue this transformation.” Kralec concludes: “Zixi’s contribution of reliability and quality to our live broadcasts goes back to the stabilisation and consistency in our circuits and our overall network. Outside of it just being a better tool in our toolbox, it adds flexibility as well. We are always transforming, always looking for opportunities to improve how we operate, and finding a tool like Zixi accelerates that process.”

video delivery over any IP network, protocol and cloud provider. “It’s not just Sinclair’s trust in the protocol to be able to support a very stable and flexible network, it’s also other people’s trust in Zixi,” says Kralec. “While there are alternative standards and protocols and they usually work fine, the implementations can differ from vendor to vendor and endpoint to endpoint. While they should work together, they don’t necessarily always do so. But Zixi just works and everyone knows it’s consistent.” For Sinclair, shifting to an IP-based workflow signified the company’s commitment to flexibility. “Transitioning to IP-based networking is about being able to use that flexibility from the IP side to do things you otherwise wouldn’t be able to in operations,” explains Kralec. “If you’re constantly having to evaluate whether your operations are as efficient as they possibly can be, then using a flexible tool provides more optionality. Having more of a Swiss Army knife-type tool gives us

the option to manipulate and move more quickly on the transformation side of things.” Broadcast benefits Since their burgeoning partnership began, Sinclair has noticed several incremental improvements when it comes to leveraging what Zixi has to offer. “There’s a lot that others have already done with Zixi,” adds Kralec. “Because that trust exists, we can more easily talk to our contribution and distribution partners about how we could engage with them during Sinclair’s transformation. automation and playout to the cloud, but also what we can build on top of that… they can benefit from our transformation as well.” Kralec acknowledges that Sinclair is more than happy with its partnership, as Zixi has largely reset its network positioning. “It has really given us stability in terms of managing all those diverse “It becomes not just about Sinclair’s move to broadcast

zixi.com

Under the magnifying glass

As viewers drown in an ocean of content and advertisers despair of hooking the right fish, personalisation offers a lifeline to both. What does this mean for privacy and the user experience? FEED finds out how broadcasters, streamers and advertisers are putting viewers and content under the microscope, and how their customers feel about it

Words by Paul Bray

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