IBC 2024 Key Trends to Watch

September 2024 

IBC, the International Broadcasting Convention, is one of Lumine Group's most anticipated events of the year. For our team, the annual convention hosted in Amsterdam is a unique opportunity to meet with our network in the broadcast & media space, stay informed of the latest trends and technologies, and learn from others who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the media, entertainment, and technology fields. 

At IBC 2024, core themes will focus on AdTech, AI, Cloud, Connected Technology, Immersive Technology, and OTT & Streaming. Lumine Group team members are excited to attend and explore the latest developments in the industry.  

The 2024 Paris Olympics set a precedent for future editions, embracing the digital era in new ways as over half of the world's population tuned in via broadcast or digital channels. Below, our team shares the topics & trends they are most closely watching ahead of the show. 

Arjan Stroomberg, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions: "AI in Communications"

At Lumine, we recognize the transformative power and potential of AI technologies and are committed to staying ahead of the curve.  

As AI continues to transform the media landscape, IBC will no doubt highlight the latest advancements in machine learning and AI implementation.  This includes how predictive analytics can uncover patterns in historical data to forecast viewer behavior, and how AI drives intelligent decision-making, enhances user experiences, and delivers personalized recommendations. Connecting with the media ecosystem at events like IBC allows us to understand how AI is facilitating a seamless transition of the ecosystem to the digital world, improving delivery of both content supply and demand. 

This year, we saw the International Olympic Committee used AI to enhance the 2024 Paris Olympics experience. The International Olympic Committee leveraged AI not only to enhance broadcast experiences and manage energy more effectively but also to optimize content for the future. Adaptive streaming and predictive caching ensured smooth content delivery, while automated translation and localization expands global reach. Dynamic content optimization allows media to match audience preferences and trends, and automated content creation streamlined production, leading to a richer and more personalized viewer experience. 

The introduction of AI in this year’s Olympics can transform the future of organizing, measuring and delivering sporting events. AI provided Olympic athletes with access to specialized training methods, smart sporting equipment, and individualized plans to keep them fit and healthy. Omega, the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, revolutionized the Paris 2024 Olympics with modern timekeeping, not only measuring the results to separate gold, silver and bronze, but also providing a wave of in-depth data that shows exactly how each event is won or lost.  

AI-powered analytics have the potential to give unprecedented levels of insight into athlete performance and fan preferences, resulting in more focused messages, increased revenues, and improved fan engagement. This AI-driven approach extends beyond sports, impacting media through advancements like dynamic content optimization and automated content creation. For example, TransMedia Dynamic’s solution, Mediaflex, uses new AI-powered features to leverage automated speech recognition (ASR) and machine learning to enhance metadata, enabling faster, more efficient content search and management by translating spoken language into searchable text.  

Elliot Yunger, VP of Corporate Development | "Connected: IoT, 5G/6G, and Navigating Bandwidth"

Connected technology is at the forefront of the shift to a connected world and a highly anticipated theme at IBC. IoT, 5G/6G, and connected technology are driving this shift, transforming how media companies distribute content. New technologies provide real-time data to broadcasters and allow them to personalized content to their viewers, all while operating efficiently and seamlessly even in areas with low connectivity. 

I’m particularly interested in how interconnected technologies like IoT, 5G/6G, and smart devices can create a unified media ecosystem. Today, broadcasters can leverage new technologies to distribute content efficiently despite connectivity and bandwidth constraints.    

WideOrbit, a Lumine portfolio company, took the opportunity for local businesses to tap into a large, engaged television audience by unlocking local TV advertising opportunities during the recent 2024 Olympics in Paris.  

Local TV advertising at major sporting events, such as the 2024 Paris Olympics, is a promising growth in the industry, allowing businesses to strengthen their community presence and increase brand recognition and can be tailored to reflect community values and preferences, creating a more personalized experience for viewers. Businesses that effectively leverage these opportunities, paired with advanced technology and data analytics, could see greater visibility, engagement, and return on advertising investments. Effective use of local TV advertising platforms can help businesses gain a competitive edge, driving growth and success. 

WideOrbit will be in the IABM lounge to hold meetings during the event.   

Connor Ennis, Director, Corporate Development, Americas | OTT & Streaming: Monetization, Personalization, and Enhancing User Engagement 

Live event streaming has advanced significantly, and streaming providers must now meet the demand for seamless and high-quality viewing experiences.  

Traditionally, live events posed unique challenges for telecom operators, particularly managing sudden traffic surges, reducing latency, and assuring consistent quality of service. Velocix, a Lumine portfolio company, for example, provides a powerful alternative to traditional streaming, allowing providers to dynamically scale their CDN infrastructure to meet live event demand while optimizing performance and reliability. This solution has been particularly relevant in recent months as viewers across the world tuned into the Paris Olympics and the UEFA Championship. 

Hybrid-cloud solutions are the future of live streaming, providing scalable and reliable technology that enables providers to navigate the complexities and opportunities of live event delivery. By investing in such technologies, providers can improve their live sports streaming capabilities and respond quickly to changing market conditions and subscriber preferences. 

From content distribution methods and sustainable production practices, to enhancing user engagement and monetization strategies, there's much to learn about OTT and streaming at IBC 2024. 

Velocix will be on-site at IBC in hall 5 at stand F36 showcasing their latest solutions. 

Darren Smith, Corporate Development Manager, EMEA | AdTech: Reaching New Demographics

Advertisers are always seeking new ways to effectively identify and engage their target audience, and we saw innovations in this space recently with the Paris 2024 Olympics. Traditionally, Olympic advertising was reserved for large brands with significant budgets, but now these large broadcasters are offering programmatic ad buying through their own platforms.  

Programmatic advertising's lower cost of entry has attracted a new, diverse set of advertisers, including those who have traditionally avoided TV due to the high costs and lack of real-time performance metrics.  

For example, NBC and Warner Bros are using advanced AI screening to ensure that ads meet quality standards and avoid conflicts with existing sponsors. This shift allows smaller brands, previously priced out of the market, to access Olympic-sized audiences, democratizing advertising opportunities.