NAB Show 2025

Create covers the process of original acquisition or creation of raw content – live (“real-time”) or recorded, in a studio or in the field and the technology that enables this process. While this naturally includes distinct products such as cameras and accessories, lighting and audio recorders, it also encompasses UGC and social media. Services such as OB/Remote trucks also come into the Create link. While these currently overlap into the Produce link, with the growing trend towards remote production using IP, OBs/Remotes will increasingly be fully described within Create.

Examples
Acquisition – cameras, camera accessories, audio acquisition, lighting, social/UGC

Produce encompasses the production process (real-time/live) and post-production (file-based) to create a finished piece of content. The enabling technology that supports Produce includes graphics, audio production, video production and services, production and post-production software – including film transfer, editing, audio post, finishing, VFX and graphics, and services.

Examples
Real-Time Production – RT prod graphics, audio production, video production, production services Manage Production – production software, post-production software Post-Production – film transfer, editing, audio post, finishing, VFX & graphics, post-production services

Manage defines the aggregation, preparation and management of completed content items ready for distribution. This includes content preparation and services, content and workflow management and orchestration, metadata, and operational analytics – everything from ingest and QC to transcoding; the process of readying content for delivery to the end-user customer.

Examples
Manage & Orchestrate – content & workflow management Prepare – content preparation, content services

Publish covers an ever-growing field as viewing and listening choices continue to expand. It is defined as the playout or publication of content ready for consumers, and its subsequent distribution to reach consumers. Enabling technology for Publish includes linear playout systems, linear playout services, non-linear publishing systems, non-linear publishing services, projectors, large LED screens, protection & encryption, linear distribution & encryption, Cable, IPTV, satellite, terrestrial distribution, and internet distribution.

Examples
Linear Playout – linear playout systems, linear playout services Non-Linear Publishing – non-linear publishing systems, non-linear publishing services Venue Exhibition – projectors, large LED screens Content Production – protection & encryption Linear Distribution – distribution & encryption, Cable, IPTV, satellite, terrestrial distribution Internet Distribution – internet distribution.

Managing business processes for content rights and royalties, scheduling linear and non-linear services, and selling and managing advertising.

Examples
Broadcast management systems including scheduling, traffic, and rights and royalties tools. Advertising, including addressable and programmatic. Data aggregation and analysis.

Connect defines the infrastructure, connectivity and bandwidth used to move content within and between facilities. This includes intra-facility connectivity, inter-facility connectivity, video interfacing & conversion, audio interfacing & conversion, and file & object delivery.

Examples
Provide Access and bandwidth connectivity Real-Time Transfer – intra-facility connectivity, inter-facility connectivity, video interfacing & conversion, audio interfacing & conversion File transfer – file & object delivery

Every process in the chain also needs access to storage, whether it’s raw content, work-in-progress, completed projects or archived content. This includes VTRs & DVRs, video servers, portable storage, on-premise storage, and cloud storage.

Examples
Real-Time Storage – VTR’s & DVR’s, video servers File & Object Storage – portable storage, on-premise storage, cloud storage

The Support link encompasses the supporting capabilities used across the content supply chain to monitor and secure content and run operations. This includes video and audio monitoring, system monitoring, test & measurement, communications, cyber-security and protection, on-premise compute, cloud compute, facility hardware, implementation services, and rental services.

Examples
Video monitors, intercom, compute power, cybersecurity, software development Monitor, Control Comms – video monitoring, audio monitor, system monitoring, test & measurement, communications Secure – access, protect Compute – on-premise compute, cloud compute Design Build Run – facility hardware, implementation services, rental services

The final link in the content chain – and the force that ultimately powers it – Consume defines all the touchpoints with the end-consumer of the content. Examples include a consumer-facing app that makes content recommendations and captures consumer data

Examples
User Experience – identity management, UI & UX, apps and platforms

Applicable for projects, events, team collaborative efforts, products, systems or services not covered by the above nine categories

IABM Platinum members are entitled for five complimentary BaM Awards® entries each year; Gold members are entitled to two complimentary entries per year; and Silver & Start-Up Members are eligible for 1 complimentary entry per year. 

For any additional entries, IABM members will pay £195/€225/$250 (plus VAT where applicable) per entry.

Non IABM Member entry is charged £295/€335/$360 (plus VAT where applicable) per entry..

Submissions for the BaM Awards^® are open to every company (whether an IABM member or not) that has launched a new product or service within the 12 months prior to the submission closing date.

The IABM BaM Awards^® recognize outstanding technological innovations that deliver real business and creative benefits. The BaM Awards^® are the only truly independent technology awards in the industry, and are widely recognized as the gold standard for rewarding MediaTech innovation.

There are ten categories and you must choose one category from the list at the start of your entry.

You are eligible to enter more than one category with multiple entries, as long as the work submitted meets the category criteria. The Awards Committee may move an entry from one category to another, if it considers this to be more appropriate than the original one chosen.

You may also enter your product/service/solution in more than one category as long as it meets the criteria for each category selected. We strongly recommend you adjust the submission to line of with the category. Entering the same product/service/solution twice in different categories is considered as two entries and will billed as such.

A panel of 40 independent expert judges carries out the judging. The various judges represent every aspect of the MediaTech eco system.

The judging can vary between categories, however the fundamental criteria are:

•  End user benefit and impact

•  New opportunities created

•  Relevance

•  Implementation

•  Innovation

•  Performance

•  Application quality

•  Value for money

•  Evidence of achievement

No, if you don't want the product name to be announced then simply tick the "this product is embargoed" box during submission and we will only announce the company name if you are shortlisted. The Shortlisted product/service/solution will be announced at the awards presentation.

The entry form has been designed with our judges in mind; we have worked with them to ensure that the descriptions and details of your product are as easy as possible for them to judge. We would advise against using 'marketing speak' in your entry and avoid replicating a press release. Focus on the key USP's and put yourself in the shoes of the judges: what will they want to know to make a decision? Review the tips to give you the best chance of winning a BaM Award^® - View online here.

The shortlist will be announced approximately 3 weeks prior to the IBC Show.

Yes, provided the new product or service launch date is within 12 months prior to the submission closing date.

Yes. You may return and edit your entry as many times as you like up until closing.

The entry form has a specific field for up to two links for video playout via another platform. Video content cannot be uploaded within the entry.

Once you have confirmed your entry, we will send you a confirmation email.

No. Products or services must be available for commercial use before the awards ceremony.

Each winner will receive a trophy uniquely identified with the BaM category. Additional trophies cannot be purchased.

No, there are no hidden costs involved with BaM Awards^®. We will not charge you for the trophy.

We will be announcing the shortlist online. If you are shortlisted we will email the submitter’s email provided from the submission form requesting some additional marketing details to promote the shortlisted winners. We will present the BaM Award winners their trophies at the IBC Show. Final winners will be photographed and have a follow-up social media video interview to maximize publicity opportunities.

Absolutely, please contact our team at sponsorship@theiabm.org to see how you can get involved.