The world of media production is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing with it a variety of new opportunities and challenges. In particular, the adoption of virtual production technologies has skyrocketed, driven by groundbreaking use cases ranging from Hollywood blockbusters like The Mandalorian to immersive sports broadcasts, such as Nickelodeon’s “Nickified” NFL games. This surge has resulted in an increased demand for high-quality live VFX-heavy content that modern audiences have come to expect. At Pixotope, we are confident that virtual production has become a cornerstone of general media production. To enhance this vision, however, it is essential that there is the continued development of a workforce that is well-equipped and eager to embrace these advancements and nurturing the next generation of talent in virtual production is crucial. The rapid evolution of virtual production brings with it a demand for skilled professionals who can navigate and innovate within these advanced workflows. Right now, due to the exponential adoption and development of this technology, there is a talent shortage within the industry that poses a critical barrier to fully capitalizing on these advancements.
Moments Lab – Diversity and Inclusion to fuel Innovation in the media, entertainment, and broadcast industry
In recent years, we have seen businesses across many sectors re-evaluate their workplace to create a more diverse and inclusive environment for everyone. This initiative is crucial for all industries, and the media, entertainment, and broadcast industry is no exception. Historically a male-dominated space, it remains unbalanced to this day. However, change is happening, and there is cause for hope as the industry looks to become more diverse in terms of gender, disability, ethnicity, and more. Encouraging this shift is vital to creating and maintaining an environment where everyone feels valued, included, and represented. By fostering diversity and inclusion, companies in the media, entertainment, and broadcast sector can not only enrich teams with a variety of perspectives and experiences, but also create a more equitable and welcoming workplace for all.
Mediaproxy’s Erik Otto on diversity, team-building and “securing your future growth”
Recruiting the finest potential talents from the greatest range of backgrounds is really a ‘no-brainer’ when it comes to building a winning team, suggests the CEO of compliance software innovator Mediaproxy
What is the Cloud? Surprisingly a question still asked today
It’s 2024 and I (wrongly) assumed that the ‘cloud’ was a well understood concept. That said, one of the top Google trends on the cloud is still surprisingly questions like “what is cloud computing?” and “the cloud”, and it shows that what I thought has long been common knowledge might still need some ‘clarification’.
In addition, I have had some ‘interesting’ conversations with some production companies and studios that also suggest that the cloud still is not well understood. Without mentioning any names, one of the funniest conversations I had recently was with a producer who informed me it was company “policy” not to use the internet or cloud, and yet the entire business was entirely dependent on cloud hosted SaaS services like Google Drive!? When I (politely) challenged this, they went on to explain how their files were on their computer, not in the ‘cloud’ (despite having shared links to these files with me via Google Drive and other cloud services). It was conversations like these that inspired me to write a course on the cloud for the IABM. Given that this is still happening, I thought it worth a super-simple summary of what the cloud is in this article.
Veset – Why cloud playout is fast becoming critical for live broadcasting
Cloud playout is nothing new – many broadcasters and service providers have already switched to the cloud for playout of content. A few media organizations were ahead of the game and switched playout to the cloud as long ago as 2016 (Discovery for one), and many others have since followed in their footsteps. Having said that, there’s still plenty of media companies and broadcasters who still operate playout from on-premises infrastructure. And there are also those that have chosen to go with a hybrid approach using cloud playout for some content delivery such as FAST while retaining traditional playout for content such as live news and sports broadcasting.
Amagi – Revolutionizing live sports and events coverage with unified cloud workflows
In 2023, live broadcasts overwhelmingly topped the charts of the 100 most-viewed telecasts, with a clear preference for live sports, which claimed 56 of the highest rankings. Remarkably, the coverage of Oscars and the Grammys stood out as the leading entertainment broadcasts. The historical interest in live programming can be attributed to its unique offering of immediacy and the opportunity for real-time engagement. This format excels in delivering the excitement of witnessing events unfold in the moment, creating a compelling sense of participation and community among viewers. So it is no surprise that the live streaming sector is expected to experience a significant boom, with projections estimating its value to reach $3.21 billion by 2027.
Zixi – Factors contributing to the TCO of streaming at scale
In the dynamic world of video streaming, media organizations are constantly seeking efficient and cost-effective solutions to manage their large-scale implementations. One of the key metrics that has to be met to validate any purchase decisions is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). And, like Maslov’s famous Hierarchy of Needs, TCO analysis must start with foundational requirements.
MediaKind – Is the cloud a no-brainer for broadcasters today? It’s not as simple as that…
Broadcasters and telecommunications companies are facing a seismic shift. The traditional powerhouses of Pay-TV services and over-the-air broadcast television are witnessing a change in viewing as consumers increasingly gravitate towards subscription and ad-supported streaming video. This progressively changes the balance of the importance between traditional and streaming services, even from the same provider. The shift demands a re-evaluation of media supply chains and infrastructures, leading many broadcasters to contemplate a move to the cloud.
Nanocosmos – 2023 IBC BaM Award winner, Project, collaboration, event or other innovation
For 25 years innovators at nanocosmos have been pushing the boundaries of audio/video technology to connect and engage. Product and services provided have reached a significant milestone: on grounds laid in 1998, various innovations have been carefully layered to a Cloud Solution that enables connection and interaction with large audiences based on real-time. Especially with the spike in virtually broadcasted events it has become apparent that, next to the adaptability and reach, the following feature stands out: delivery of interactive experience anywhere in the world without giving up high quality.
Josh Arensberg elected new Chair of the IABM Members’ Board
Josh Arensberg was elected Chair of the IABM Members’ Board in July this year. We asked him to share his vision for where he sees IABM – and our industry – heading.