Autumn is on its way, and with it comes the latest issue of FEED! This bumper IBC special focuses on the prosperous monetisation segment of M&E – and the tools and strategies available to networks, rights holders and platforms when it comes to yielding every last penny of profit from their content. Also in this issue, we reflect on the recent turbulent period in politics, and social media's impact on the landscape – for both bad and good. Our sustainability spotlight breaks down crucial research from Altman Solon whilst our Genius Interview meets the innovative co-founder of a VR production company. Also don't miss this issue's Xtreme, which explores the tech innovations at the Euros, AI's impact on sport and a site visit to France TV. All this and more – check it out!
A ccording to Forbes, the video streaming industry is valued at $544 billion, with projections indicating that by 2030 the sector is expected to skyrocket to an almost inconceivable $1902 billion. Looking at linear, Statista claims the global traditional TV and home video market revenue amounted to $384 billion in 2023. If these figures highlight one thing, it’s that there are significant bucks to be bagged in broadcast and streaming. Our autumn issue is here, focusing on the prosperous monetisation segment of M&E – and the tools and strategies available to networks, rightsholders and platforms when it comes to yielding every last penny of profit from their content. Elsewhere in this issue: it’s certainly been a turbulent time for politics, and even more so for the murky waters of the world wide web. Head to page 70 to check out Katie Kasperson’s analysis of social media’s impact on politics – both for bad and good. Struggling to keep up with the unsteady line of sustainable progress across media? Turn to page 48, where Neal Romanek breaks down crucial research from Altman Solon that helps signify exactly where the industry stands in the green department. Also, don’t miss this issue’s Genius Interview, where we meet Chloé Rochereuil, founder of VR production company Targo, to discuss the growing demand for interactive storytelling and content. This issue’s Xtreme marks the end of industry buzz term ‘summer of sport,’ with its main focus looking at the technical innovation powering the men’s Uefa Euro 2024 tournament. Plus, Adrian Pennington delves behind the scenes of AI in the context of sport and we report back on a site visit to France TV HQ – in the midst of the Paris Olympic Games. Finally, this issue features a very special announcement. We are delighted to share the launch of the FEED Honours List, our new annual celebration of broadcast technology and talent across all areas of this dynamic landscape. Featuring every year in our winter issue, head to page 90 for the full details on categories and how to be involved! PROFIT ROCKETS
EDITORIAL EDITOR Verity Butler
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IN THIS ISSUE
06 Newsfeed
The latest scoops in media tech, featuring everything from fresh product launches to major mergers
18 Happening: IBC
The doors of Amsterdam’s RAI are soon to be opened once again. Here’s our guide to what this year’s show has in store
26
26 Monetisation
Creating hordes of content to feed hungry audiences is one thing, but profiting from it in every feasible way is quite another
40 Genius Interview
XTREME
Chloé Rochereuil is co-founder of VR content creation company Targo. She shares insights on immersive content’s growing popularity
96 Sports Reporter
60 Masterclass: Storage special This issue’s panel shares its expertise on the impact of storage on M&E, and why a sturdy set-up is more important than ever before 48 Sustainability Spotlight Neal Romanek gets talking to Altman Solon, analysing the reality behind M&E’s unsteady green trajectory 70 Social media and politics Amid a run of earth-shifting elections this year, Katie Kasperson highlights the true depth of social media’s influence 80 Happening: Be You festival Soho Media Club’s annual Be You festival pools an array of speakers debating key DEI issues faced by UK media 90 FEED Honours List A special announcement from FEED – the launch of our annual Honours List, which celebrates industry talent and success
Following 2024’s summer of sport, we bring the biggest news bulletins from this crucial division of broadcast media
108 Happening: France TV
In the midst of Paris 2024, FEED went behind the scenes of France TV HQ, getting the inside scoop on delivering a host broadcast
114 Euro 2024
The men’s Uefa Euro 2024 tournament has been and gone, but the technical innovations it delivered have left a lasting legacy
128 Artificial intelligence
AI is making an impression on every area of media. Adrian Pennington explores how it’s proving a slam dunk for sports
START-UP SNAPSHOTS 39 Tight AV 67 Imaginario AI
77 Peakmetrics 127 Sportvot
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FROM OUR PARTNERS
16 Sony 23 Cobalt 24 Zixi
38 Yospace 46 Tata Comms 55 Brainstorm
56 Qvest 68 MPB 78 CVP
85 Vizrt 86 Lawo 88 Atomos
102 Ross Video 104 Panasonic 113 EVS
122 Sony 124 Harmonic
126 Friend MTS 136 Riedel
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NEWS:
DELIVERING MAJOR STORIES IN MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
CYBERSECURITY ITV bolsters security measures
Friend MTS, the leading provider of video content security solutions, recently announced that ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, has chosen its anti-piracy services to help protect ITV content. With Friend MTS’s 24/7 Global Monitoring Platform, ITV will protect its main linear channels across broadcast and streaming. These channels feature exclusive, premium content including Six Nations rugby, the FA Cup, the England women’s football team matches, the Uefa Euros, entertainment programmes like The Masked Singer and Celebrity Big Brother as well as
its portfolio of dramas such as Red Eye and Trigger Point . ITV’s decision to partner with Friend MTS is based on the company’s proven results with other major broadcasters and content owners. Its Global Monitoring Platform, which includes proprietary, award- winning fingerprinting technology and automated detection systems, is backed by an experienced 24/7 operations team. Friend MTS will identify illegal streams across the internet for immediate takedown and facilitate the removal of links from search engines. The result is
comprehensive, effective monitoring and enforcement against content fraud. Sarah Tierney, director of distribution at ITV, said: “ITV’s aim is to contribute to making piracy unsustainable and, through appointing Friend MTS, we will be working together to enhance our anti-piracy activities in the UK. As a key part of our strategy to optimise broadcast and supercharge streaming, it’s important to us that we maximise ITV’s reach while, at the same time, protecting audiences from the material consumer harms of pirate sites and meeting our contractual obligations with rightsholders.”
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CYBERSECURITY
Widely considered to be the largest IT outage in history, 19 July 2024 saw millions of Windows systems failing and showing the infamous blue screen of death (BSOD). Crowdstrike – the company at the epicentre of the outage – is an endpoint security vendor whose primary technology is the Falcon platform, which helps protect systems against potential threats. The outage was not a Microsoft Windows flaw directly but, rather, in Crowdstrike Falcon during a routine update which triggered the issue. Microsoft estimated that approximately 8.5 million Windows devices were directly affected by said flaw. That’s less than 1% of Microsoft’s global Windows install base. The outage grounded thousands of flights worldwide, leading to significant delays and cancellations of more than 10,000 flights. In the United States specifically, affected airlines included Delta, United and American Airlines. These airlines were forced to cancel hundreds of flights until systems were restored. Public transport in multiple cities was affected and hospitals and healthcare clinics around the world faced significant disruptions in appointment systems. Online banking systems and financial institutions across the globe were also affected. Multiple payment platforms were directly affected and individuals did not receive their pay when expected. Media and broadcast did not escape the effects of the outage either, with it impacting multiple media and broadcast outlets. This included British broadcaster Sky News, which was taken off the air by the outage. It is estimated that it could potentially take months for some organisations to entirely recover all affected systems from the outage. Crowdstrike: Largest IT outage ever?
AI
Nvidia takes the lead
In July, major business and AI news broke out, with Nvidia becoming the world’s most valuable company after a climb in its share price to an all- time high. As of July 2024, Nvidia’s net worth was at $3.34 trillion, with this price having almost doubled since the start of 2024. Founded in 1993, Nvidia began designing PC chips for video game graphics. Some 30 years later, it specialises in hardware powering AI workloads with some of the biggest companies in the world
specifying its GPUs to power their AI projects. Demand for its GPUs has exploded, with the company having shipped 900 tonnes of AI chips in just one quarter of 2023. Its stock growth is also boosting founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s net worth, who possesses a 3% stake in the company. With the company’s stock rising, his stake could be worth $119 billion, near the $123 billion of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, placing him among the richest people in the world.
The market cap for the world’s richest business has fluctuated hugely since this lead from Nvidia. Its hold on the top spot was short- lived after Apple share prices soared in reaction to its AI announcements at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference. Although the tech giant didn’t hold the lead for long, it marks a milestone in the AI business. Nvidia’s rise serves as a metaphor regarding the booming space, emphasising its place as the new gold or oil of the tech sector.
LIVE PRODUCTION
Ateliere has announced Ateliere Live, a true software and cloud-native live production and editing platform. It’s set to redefine live broadcasting and cloud TV with a more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly user-centric experience. Production editing, mixing, graphics and effects are seamlessly integrated on a single software platform that powers true remote production with advanced proxy editing. Ateliere Live’s innovative product design simplifies the creation of multiple production versions, enabling customers to reach more viewing platforms, including Twitch, TikTok and YouTube, with relevant content at a far lower cost than competing live production solutions. Ateliere live debut
“Ateliere Live solves the hard challenges around live production, empowering customers to attain unprecedented levels of operational and environmental efficiencies,” said Dan Goman, chief executive officer, Ateliere. “Adopting Ateliere Live will give your organisation a more flexible and efficient way of working and remove the complexity to produce better outcomes for your business.”
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CONGRESS-CENTRUM SAAR GMBH
AUDIO
Taking the broadcast approach
Built in 1967, the Congress Hall in Saarbrücken, Germany, is home to a broad variety of events such as conferences, trade fairs and conventions. In addition, shows and concerts of all kinds are hosted, some of which are also broadcast on radio and television
by public broadcaster Saarländischer Rundfunk (known as SR). The hall saw a renovation and reopening control room of SR being equipped with a modern audio infrastructure. It saw the installation of a in September 2023, which included the
Lawo mc²36 Mark II all- in-one production mixing console, as well as two Lawo AoIP stageboxes. system with a console that ultimately met the broadcaster’s standards in terms of quality and performance. This replaced the previous analogue
INDUSTRY
CVP OFFICIAL NIKON DEALER
CVP has been appointed by Nikon as an authorised video dealer. This partnership enhances CVP’s extensive brand portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to supporting content creators with top-tier equipment. It gives Nikon a valuable platform to extend its reach in the fast-growing professional digital cinema camera market.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY
MILLION-DOLLAR PARTNERSHIPS
CABLE: Muddled valuations
Grass Valley announced a new, multi-million- dollar strategic partnership agreement with Diversified. Grass Valley, renowned for its high- quality live-production solutions, will leverage Diversified’s extensive integration and services expertise to enhance its offerings and deliver comprehensive solutions to broadcasters, content creators and media organisations. Talpa Network, a leading TV and radio broadcaster in the Netherlands, has collaborated with global technology partner Lawo to upgrade its broadcast infrastructure. Talpa’s ambitious project utilises Lawo’s cutting-edge IP technology, including the Home management platform for IP infrastructures and the .edge hyper-density SDI/IP platform for converting video signals to raw ST 2110 streams. IP TAPPING UP TALPA
Two of the US’s biggest TV companies have admitted that their cable channels are worth $15 billion less than they had thought – emphasising the accelerating collapse of what had been one of the most lucrative businesses in media history. Paramount took down the value of its cable channels (including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central) by $6 billion. This came only a day after Warner Bros Discovery wrote $9 billion off the value of its cable channels including CNN, HGTV and the Food Network. Linear cable networks have become “anchors around the necks of legacy media companies,” said Rich Greenfield, an analyst at Lightshed Partners. The writedowns highlight cable TV’s steady decline over 15 years, after streaming services first prompted users to ‘cut the cord.’
AI Google takes on deepfakes
Google has announced new measures to assist victims and reduce deepfakes’ prominence in top search results. It has also made commitments to de- rank websites that host non-consensual sexually explicit fake videos frequently. Google said it will aim to filter explicit content from similar searches after victims successfully request the removal of explicit non-consensual fake imagery through an online form.
Currently, victims have to flag each URL containing the imagery separately. Google also said it will scan for, and remove, duplicates of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake images from search results after images are successfully flagged and taken down. The search engine is not proactively scanning for new deepfakes to remove and will only remove deepfakes if a victim successfully flags them.
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seamless independence day success LIVE PRODUCTION
AI CAPTIONING AND LOCALISATION
KMOV-TV, a CBS affiliate in St Louis, successfully used Clear-Com’s Gen- IC Virtual Intercom, a cloud-based intercom solution, to enhance communication during the live broadcast of America’s Birthday Parade on 4 July. This marked a significant technical achievement for the station, overcoming the challenges of a
particularly complicated production and stringent IT security policies. Faced with the need to manage real-time communication across a geographically distributed production team, KMOV- TV turned to Gen-IC to bypass traditional IT constraints, such as external port forwarding rules on their firewall.
The cloud-based solution allowed the station to connect LQ Series IP Interfaces at its production truck on-site and at its studio located 30 miles away, using Clear-Com’s Virtual Intercom matrix hosted on Google’s secure infrastructure. This enabled seamless communication for robust live broadcasting.
Cineverse is integrating XL8’s AI-driven captioning and localisation services into its Matchpoint platform. This will streamline content management and distribution, offering real-time, accurate and culturally relevant translations and captions at lower costs. The platform will automate workflows, improve reach and allow cost-effective content delivery.
LIVE PRODUCTION
CONSOLES IN CANADA
Global News, a leading news network in Canada, has announced the integration of Calrec’s Type R consoles into its facilities in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Global News operates 15 local stations across Canada, providing community-based news, weather and information. The network also delivers national and international coverage.
PRODUCTION
3D TOOLS
Huddle up!
Radical is a developer of AI-powered motion capture and real-time 3D-creation tools and it recently revealed the world’s first single-camera real-time markerless performance-capture solution. “Giving our users the ability to capture in 3D, and in real time, the motion of their hands, fingers, face and upper body elevates and truly democratises motion capture. This includes those with mobility restrictions, who previously had limited ability to enjoy performance capture due to its conventional requirements for full- body calibration,” explains Matteo Giuberti, Radical CTO and co-founder. “Our goal is to democratise the motion-capture industry – and this means for everyone.” This release, currently in public beta, enables finger tracking and a new upper- body mode that will exist together with the company’s full-body solution. Making moves in motion capture
Avid recently launched Avid Huddle, a new SaaS solution that allows post-production teams the ability to collaborate and accelerate content review and approvals. Avid Huddle removes the time- consuming process of sending content to multiple stakeholders and compiling their input separately. Simulating an in-person content-review process, editing teams can significantly accelerate project delivery, saving time and money. “Collaborating to review video content during post-production is challenging when the creative team is distributed across multiple locations. Avid Huddle helps teams jump this barrier and truly embrace distributed working,” says Tanya O’Connor, VP of market solutions at Avid. Avid Huddle will be available as a flexible monthly or annual subscription, so users can scale up or down as required. Only the host needs to have Avid Huddle; participants join through Microsoft Teams.
LATAM
A Playbox Neo team visited Brazil in June to showcase its cutting-edge TV channel branding and playout solutions. Partnering with CIS Group, a trusted systems integrator with 35+ years of LatAm market know-how, it hosted events to connect with industry leaders and potential clients. Playbox Neo’s team conducted demonstrations for its clients, highlighting multichannel playout and IP- streaming automation. REINFORCING LATAM PARTNERSHIPS
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LIVE PRODUCTION
Access all media forms
Having delivered events and campaigns for the likes of Honda, Heineken and Halfords, Spiderzone has an enviable track record supporting big brands as well as the SME market. As a full-service marketing agency, the creative and management teams within Spiderzone
clients. Partnering with Marketing + Technologies Group meant they could offer a digital broadcast film studio high-end 3D visuals and animations, plus a solution that massively reduced their live events’ carbon footprint. Steve Thomas, managing director of Spiderzone marketing, commented: “Having a local partner that understands B2B
and B2C marketing and events as well as we do is a huge bonus. They tick so many boxes, from online broadcast media such as podcasts to an incredible digital venue platform that can host anything from a virtual car showroom to a full-on exhibition and conference service. We feel this partnership brings two local marketing companies to work stronger together.”
PTZ
Vizrt recently unveiled the PTZ3 Plus and PTZ3 UHD Plus cameras, in a bid to bridge the gap between pro AV and broadcast, with the new range delivering video for any live production or presentation. With intelligent AI-driven talent tracking, greater microphone choice with phantom power and effortless integration for augmented reality, the new additions fit all of these features into a discreet design built to blend into any space. “Our users have been calling for new features within our PTZ camera range to further elevate live streams, corporate town halls, visual radio and live events,” says Liam Hayter, product manager, Vizrt. “AI presenter tracking keeps talent in shot automatically; phantom-powered audio makes remote set-ups even easier; and the world’s first implementation of FreeD over NDI HX embeds camera-tracking metadata in every frame. This simplifies the creation of augmented reality and virtual reality set- ups like Viz Virtual Studio Go.” On top of this, a single Ethernet cable also offers an efficient and straightforward workflow, providing video, audio, power, control, tally and FreeD camera tracking data over NDI HX. Vizrt progresses PTZ portfolio
are continually looking to improve the overall services package for
LIVE STREAMING
NATO celebrates 75th anniversary
Synamedia recently announced that Nato’s Public Diplomacy Division used its D2C streaming technology to livestream its 75th anniversary summit, which saw tens of thousands of viewers flock to its website and YouTube. Paul Magis, head of the Communications Technology Centre at Nato, said: “Using Synamedia Quortex Play, we now have a reliable and versatile solution to stream live video through our Nato website and social media channels to audiences worldwide and in their own language.” Nato selected Synamedia Quortex Play for future public events following trials to livestream events including ministerial meetings, the full 14 hours of this year’s Nato Youth Summit, as well as press conferences throughout
May and June 2024. High-quality and low-latency streams were delivered to viewers through multiple channels including YouTube and Nato’s website, as well as via secure reliable transport (SRT) protocol to professional broadcasters, supported by Synamedia and its partner Diginet.
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Transformational transfers DATA MANAGEMENT
Dot Group has successfully implemented Datasprint, a cutting-edge data-transfer solution, for Timeline Television Ltd. This has significantly enhanced Timeline’s data-transfer workflows and capabilities, supporting its overall business strategy and operational goals. Dominic Eaves, CIO of Timeline Television Ltd, commented: “Dot Group’s
expertise in extreme data-transfer systems
reliability in supporting critical transfer and sync requirements has been particularly valuable for our day-to-day operations.” The partnership has already demonstrated its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. For instance, a temporary installation was quickly set up to enable high-speed transfers for a customer working on the Uefa Euro 2024.
FAST LIONSGATE SEEKS TO MONETISE
has significantly reduced the stress and hassle of maintaining and delivering critical workflows. “Datasprint enables Timeline to offer robust, reliable and affordable solutions to our clients, ensuring we can meet broadcast and business- critical requirements with confidence. The system’s
Amagi revealed that, after rigorous testing of multiple vendors, Lionsgate has chosen it as its partner for FAST playout and deliveries globally. This strategic partnership aims to leverage Amagi’s cutting-edge cloud technology to scale Lionsgate’s content-delivery capabilities globally and enable the launch of new channels at an unprecedented pace.
VOD
STREAMLINING VOD
LIVE PRODUCTION
Hot, Israel’s leading telecom provider, has revolutionised its VOD catalogue management by implementing Ooona’s QA Manager. Faced with the challenge of managing a vast array of content changes daily, Hot leveraged Ooona’s technology to automate operational QA processes, enhance localisation accuracy and improve overall customer experience.
INDUSTRY EVS expands business
Smode upgrades Smode Tech, the company behind the powerful real-time compositing and media- server platform Smode, proudly announces the release of Smode V10, the latest version of its platform. This update marks the beginning of the new V10 cycle, aiming to gradually unlock the new mixer workflow step by step with each new 10.x release. This latest update has been optimised for enhanced performance and frame- accuracy for complex scenarios and brings users a wealth of new features. Notably, an integration with Touch Designer now allows .tox files to be imported as generative layers or layer modifiers in any project or Smode composition. The new Companion plug-in enables users to control any show, even in a multiple-Smode-server configuration, by using a Stream Deck. Smode Tech’s new V10 software also introduces the Widget Editor, allowing users to create custom command interfaces with a simple drag-and-drop functionality within Smode. This new feature opens up new possibilities for encoding, show operation and enables users to create their own editor.
EVS recently made two major business moves. The first was its acquisition of MOG Technologies, a strategic move that enhances EVS’s portfolio with state-of-the-art file- based and software-defined video solutions. This acquisition enables EVS to immediately broaden its premium live-production ecosystem by expanding its file-based ingest and transcoding capabilities. Its second move was to become a shareholder in Tinkerlist, a leading innovator in the media- production industry. It is known for its development of Cuez, the world’s first cloud-based rundown management system. Pre-production workflows are increasingly linked to live production and Tinkerlist emphasises the importance of adopting efficient digital tools in the production chain.
AUDIO RADIO 2 MAKES A MOVE
After 18 years at Wogan House, BBC Radio 2 has moved back into the nearby BBC Broadcasting House, London. The new facilities are largely based around an audio over IP infrastructure, with DHD audio consoles provided in each studio. These were specified with local audio I/O to cater for periphery items, such as microphones and speakers. PMC6 active two- way monitors matched with a PMC8 sub were used as the main studio loudspeakers.
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HOUSES OF WORSHIP
Central Church in Ewing, NJ hosts in- person and online services and uses Sony’s camera and lens options for video and social media initiatives. It hosts three Sunday services, drawing around 600 attendees in person and approximately 200 online. Its contemporary services, which include announcements, worship and sermons, are livestreamed at 9.30am each week. It does so with a five- person video team: a director and four camera operators using a mix of Sony FS5 and Sony FX30 cameras with 24-105mm G, 70-200mm GM and 18-105mm PZ lenses. It uses HDMI out, converting to 12G SDI that’s sent to its Blackmagic system. This streams to YouTube in 4K and downscales to 1080p for Facebook. “We’ve always stuck with Sony cameras,” said Todd Perkins, elder at Central Church and leader of the video ministry. “Their reliability, incredible colour science, consistency and interchangeability with other Sony models over the years, amazing I/O options, lens offerings and now the IBIS and autofocus have always impressed. All those features make it easy for us to train volunteers.” Sunday Service with Sony
LIVE PRODUCTION
drafting Live from Sphere
When veteran lighting designer Tom Kenny was called on to light a reimagined NHL Draft at Las Vegas Sphere – the first live TV broadcast from that space – he knew he needed something special for the main- frame television shot. He chose multi-dynamic Pulse
Panel FX lights from Elation to back the all- important look. Evolving from a traditional, conventional style to a 21st-century draft show at arguably the most talked-about venue in the US, the NHL dazzled players and fans in June with a visually striking
broadcast that redefined what a sports draft can be. “The NHL Draft at Sphere was out of this world,” Kenny enthused. “This was a historic show and we needed a modern look for this new way to hold a draft. I wanted something futuristic in that main television shot.”
COMMUNICATIONS
Upgrading Czech Radio
The official public-radio broadcaster of the Czech Republic, Czech Radio, recently improved its Riedel Artist Intercom infrastructure. “In our 15 years of collaboration with Riedel Communications, we have seen the seamless evolution of the Artist ecosystem,” said Karel Zyka, CTO at
Czech Radio. “Thanks to development by Riedel, we have been able to extend and upgrade our Artist infrastructure.” Czech Radio initially deployed the Artist wired intercom system in 2009, finding it to be a versatile solution that would immediately simplify its communication infrastructure.
LIVE PRODUCTION
Appear to deliver Moja TV
Appear has been selected by BH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Telecom to enhance the live channel processing software for its Moja TV service. The project encompasses the provision and integration of an advanced IPTV transcoding
and multiplexing platform that offers BH Telecom considerable cost and efficiency savings. The new transcoding platform, based on Appear’s award-winning X Platform, is designed to handle 270 HD channels, utilising H.264/
MPEG4 and H/265/HEVC codecs, in addition to five UHD channels with H/265/HEVC encoders. The multiplexing solution is capable of supporting 500 television and radio services. The X Platform offers a significant reduction
in the number of rack units (RU) needed, bringing the requirement down to just ten. The deployment and delivery of the system were carried out in collaboration with the local Bosnian systems integrator, Net Solution.
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LIVE PRODUCTION KTRK chooses Brightline
Houston broadcaster KTRK-TV has been on the scene for 70 years and is the only major network affiliate in Houston to occupy its original studio facility. With 75 hours of locally produced newscasts each week and live and streaming content, its studios are continually updated to produce the best possible video content for local viewers – however they’re watching. KTRK is a long-time Brightline customer, with over 60 fixtures in its Bissonnet Street location. In 2023, it purchased 37 Brightline L1.2 variable-white fixtures, eight L1.4 fixtures and five Brightline Lupo fresnels to replace existing fluorescent soft fixtures and augment its LED fresnel inventory in the main news studio. In June of 2024, KTRK added to its Brightline complement. New L1.2 and L1.4 fixtures with DMX control now light all of Studio B. The station has been eager to add functionality to Studio B, to enable virtual set production.
IP
Bringing IP to Bahrain TV Grass Valley recently revealed the major part it played in redesigning Bahrain TV’s new highly complex live IP video production environment. As part of the modernisation project, Grass Valley and FGC converted Bahrain TV’s master control suite, making it the first in the region to implement an IP playout system. Considered a trusted source for news and information across the kingdom, Bahrain TV also upgraded its live news studio with Grass Valley.
LIVE STREAMING BIG FISH IN A BIG POND
Fishtank, the unique interactive streaming platform and 24/7 live reality show, has now reached one million viewers and $3 million in revenue – harnessing streaming technology from Livepeer Studio to deliver a live social experiment powered by real-time audience interactivity. Powered by Livepeer Studio, Fishtank sidesteps the huge cost barriers associated with video streaming, enabling high-quality, low-latency streaming at a fraction of the traditional cost.
Funding for AI programme secured AI
LIVE PRODUCTION
BLACKBIRD AND BLOX
Blackbird has been deployed to a further three US TV stations for digital news production following the latest Blox Digital (formerly Town News) deployment, making the total footprint 73 stations. The new stations – KAKE located in Kansas, KTEN located in Oklahoma and WFXG in Georgia – are part of the Lockwood Broadcast Group and are in addition to Blackbird’s deployment earlier this year with Lockwood’s CBS19 broadcast division. SMPTE, the home of media professionals, technologists and engineers, has introduced a pilot IP networking boot camp. This series will feature three separate courses culminating in a final exam. These courses will feature the latest SMPTE ST 2110 advancements, updates and standards. This programme has limited space and is offered first come, first served. INDUSTRY SMPTE BOOT CAMP
Leading UK television facility Dock10, the University of York and award-winning TV production company 2LE Media have secured backing from Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme to develop AI tools that can power lighting in live virtual productions. Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, announced the £100m BridgeAI programme last year, to drive growth in the UK economy through the adoption of AI and machine learning. BridgeAI has awarded match funding to Dock10, the University of York and 2LE Media to develop AI-driven tools that deliver realistic light interactions
for programmes filmed in virtual studios. The collaboration will build on foundational research that Dock10 and the University of York carried out last year, to explore how AI can deliver real-time lighting for virtual studio productions. Dr Florian Block, R&D lead, AI and immersive at Dock10 studios and a
reader in digital creativity at the University of York, said: “We are delighted to have received grant funding from Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme, which builds on our research. This R&D project is a timely response to rapidly growing audience demand for live content that lies between physical and virtual worlds.”
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Words by Xxxx Xxxxx
O ne of the most critical University of Arts London (UAL) are crucial to combatting this, offering education and specific skill-based training to build that all-important next workforce and filter them out into the wider industry. This is exemplified by its state-of-the-art facilities, making the technology employed by the industry more accessible to researchers and students than ever before. issues faced by the M&E industry is training a new generation of talent to prevent a global shortage in production and creative staff. Academic institutions like the XR TEXTILES AND DRESS UAL, through its Fashion Textiles and Technology Institute (FTTI), is developing a specialist XR and VP Lab facility, funded by the UK Research and Innovation Arts and
Sony and University of the Arts London (UAL) have teamed up for a world first: delivering a specialist virtual production (VP) research stage with a Crystal LED wall offering incredible quality, unbelievable low reflectance and flexibility INNOVATIVE SCREEN RESEARCH
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SONY VERONA IN 1.5MM AND 2.3MM PIXEL PITCH FULFILS OUR REMIT OF
CREATING A FANTASTIC VP STAGE
VISUAL PRECISION
Sony’s Verona panels elevate UAL’s capabilities with enhanced brightness and colour accuracy
Humanities Research Council, at its new East Bank campus. This will advance research in the digital rendition of historical textiles and dress, spanning wide-ranging cultural and heritage contexts, and the integration of these assets into screen, real-time and live environments to create innovative digital material experiences. “This is the first facility of its kind in the world,” says Professor Jane Harris. “We’re working with leading software developers, collaborating across the creative industries.”
The testing programme that UAL embarked on to achieve this project was extensive. “We undertook an extremely thorough and demanding series of camera and screen shoot- outs,” confirms Peter Hill, technical manager of 3D and material science at UAL. “Verona in 1.5mm and 2.3mm pixel pitch fulfils our remit of creating a fantastic, flexible VP stage with incredible quality, unbelievable low reflectance and flexibility.” Sony Verona panels exceeded the UAL team’s expectations with their deeper blacks and anti-reflection surface tech. The high brightness, wide cinematic colour gamut and refresh rates up to 7680Hz also allowed for high-speed filming. The research lab will also benefit from solutions such as the VP tool set, which could prove to be useful for researchers, allowing them to previsualise scenes and creative concepts using the virtual Venice for Unreal Engine to develop,
previsualise and configure the Crystal LED displays for rapid deployment of VP projects. However, it wasn’t just the panels that helped with the decision-making process; the comprehensive end-to- end support from Sony streamlined the workflow and was another significant consideration. MOVING FORWARD “Our partnership with UAL has been over 12 months in the making,” notes Sebastian Leske, head of cinema business development at Sony Europe. “Through rigorous testing, Verona came out on top, making a huge statement in the education sector about the use of VP to aid research and learning.” Sony and UAL’s collaboration has proven successful for all involved. pro.sony/virtualproduction
DIGITAL THREAD UAL’s lab demonstrates how advanced VP tools can help streamline many creative processes
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As summer comes to a close, IBC ushers in a new season of fresh ideas, trend awareness and growth opportunities in the M&E industry Words by Katie Kasperson I t’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 BACK TO BUSINESS
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
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,
HEAD HONCHO IBC CEO Mike Crimp says the event is growing, with over 150 new exhibitors
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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
VENUE SUCCESS Amsterdam’s RAI exhibition centre hosts this year’s IBC, set to be the biggest yet
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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 THE AI TECH ZONE WILL ACT AS A FOCAL POINT FOR PIONEERS, SHOWCASING HOW AI CAN MEET SPECIFIC INDUSTRY NEEDS
GREAT EXHIBITION
Every corner of the media and entertainment industry is represented
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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. 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. Clear-Com | 10.D29 A global provider of real-time 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. Cobalt Digital | 10.B41 Cobalt Digital designs and manufactures 12G/3G/HD/
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. 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. Hawk-Woods | 12.A66 Hawk-Woods designs and 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.
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!
SOAK IT UP A range of events will take place, from spotting fake news to navigating a shifting industry
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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
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. 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. Zixi | 5.A85 As part of IBC’s Accelerator
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
TALK THE TALK More than 300 speakers take to the stage at this year’s event
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