AVIXA® and IABM successfully hosted the UpStream Dubai event on 21 May 2024 at the Novotel DWTC. This event which is already popular in the UK was held for the first time in the Middle Eastern region and is dedicated to the Pro AV industry, focusing on the latest advancements in capturing, storing, streaming, and distributing broadcast-quality content.
The event was a hotspot for AV-integrators, consultants, and end users who participated, gaining crucial insights and networking opportunities. The event was packed with invaluable information, intelligence, and experiential sharing, featuring a series of focused sessions with the latest in Broadcast Market Trends and Research. The sessions shed light on current trends, providing a comprehensive overview of the evolving broadcast market.
Attendees gained insights into emerging technologies and market dynamics driving the industry forward by IABM, Senior Research Analyst, Olga Nevinchana who then handed over to Dan Goldstein, Chief Marketing Officer, AVIXA. Dan picked up on Olga’s final thread about the convergence of broadcast and ProAV industries and delivered an insightful talk evolving the topic and emphasizing how every enterprise has evolved into a content creator. He highlighted a critical gap many organizations face, that they can create content but lack the necessary tools to make it both valuable and impactful.
This was followed by an inspiring case study presentation about the RFP by a traditional Broadcast SI, which had been sent out by the Marketing Director of a major entertainment complex in the region. An excellent example that fully illustrated the differences in business, budgetary and delivery requirements for a Pro-AV led solution and although similar, emphasized the differences between a broadcast and Pro-AV solution including; the different stakeholders involved as well as the specifications and budget available for a broadcast quality studio for content creation, a podcast studio and an editing suite to manage in-house brand content creation for promotions and communications as well as a providing solutions for live streaming and distribution and asset management for both the in-house team and by visiting TV crews supporting a complex and varied live onsite events programme… by Hasan R. Sayed Hasan, Managing Director, Master Media.
The inaugural session of Upstream Dubai concluded with a final Panel Discussion with Dr. Naser Refat, CTO of Rotana Media Group and Blinx, Chief Creative Officer, Fadi Radi, Moderated by Hasan R. Sayed Hasan, Managing Director, Master Media. The discussion highlighted deployments of AI across various functions, including:
Automating the conversion of mobile/portrait content into broadcast/landscape formats, Media Asset Management (MAM), and Storytelling enhancements like language translation and the manipulation of speaker lip movements to synchronize with different languages.
AVIXA® and IABM successfully hosted the UpStream Dubai event on 21 May 2024 at the Novotel DWTC. This event which is already popular in the UK was held for the first time in the Middle Eastern region and is dedicated to the Pro AV industry, focusing on the latest advancements in capturing, storing, streaming, and distributing broadcast-quality content.
Evergent – The ultimate battleground: securing subscriber loyalty
In the “streaming wars” era, retaining subscribers has emerged as the ultimate battleground. As streaming companies navigate through a maze of subscription models, the challenge – or battle plan as it were – is not just to attract viewers but to retain them amidst fierce market competition and tightening consumer budgets. It’s no wonder recent research by Parks Associates revealed that the average annualized subscriber churn rate stands at 47%.
In the face of these challenges, media companies are redefining the playbook on subscriber engagement, leveraging a mix of cutting-edge technologies to forge deeper, more enduring connections with their audiences.
Actus Digital – Accelerating digital content publishing with automated workflows from compliance logging systems
In the fast-paced world of digital media, publishing content swiftly across social media, VOD and over-the-top (OTT) platforms is paramount. The dynamic nature of online audiences—who crave fresh, timely content—demands tools that streamline content creation and distribution.
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.
MainConcept – Can ad-funded services reinstate the golden age of streaming?
In the early days of streaming, subscription costs were low, and viewers were spoilt for choice by series after endless series of top-quality content – think House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and Stranger Things to name just a few. It was this promise of low costs and a seemingly never-ending stream of top-quality content that helped to entice consumers away from cable TV. The steady growth in subscriber numbers allowed for an unprecedented number of new shows to be ordered, which in turn helped to bolster growth. Many dubbed this the era of Peak TV. Streaming services reached record breaking subscriber numbers in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Netflix reportedly added an extraordinary 36 million subscribers in that period which led it to pass the 200 million mark for the first time.
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.
Agama – From Reaction to Prevention: How Telcos Can Manage Video Quality Proactively
As the telecommunications landscape continues to evolve rapidly, telcos face a multitude of challenges. These challenges, if not addressed strategically, can compromise customer satisfaction, inflate operational expenses, and hamper operational efficiency. One of the primary pain points driving these difficulties is the management and delivery of high-quality video experiences to end users. Here, we will look at how a video quality of experience monitoring solution, like that offered by Agama Technologies, can address these critical issues.
DOTSCREEN – Unlocking diversity and efficiency: the benefits of multiple 3rd-party vendors for end-to-end OTT streaming services
In the ever-evolving landscape of media consumption, Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services have emerged as the new frontier, captivating audiences with a diverse array of content. As the demand for high-quality streaming experiences intensifies, businesses face the crucial decision of either adopting an all-inclusive solution from a single vendor or embracing the intricacies of integrating multiple third-party vendors. While the allure of a “one-stop-shop” solution may seem appealing, a comprehensive evaluation reveals that a multi-vendor approach for developing end-to-end OTT streaming services offers distinct advantages that pave the way for innovation, flexibility, and enhanced user experiences.
Beam Dynamics – Intelligent technology lifecycle management
If you run any but the smallest media business you have hundreds, and probably thousands, of pieces of technical equipment from multiple approved vendors. Not just cameras or servers, but radio microphone transmitters, portable monitors, lipsync testers and lighting stands. The number of individual items quickly spirals.
Building your Business in APAC from the EU or US
Asia used to be called the Far East by some Europeans, but that was largely referring to the northern part of APAC. APAC actually refers to about one third of the world’s land mass if we include all the Pacific countries, which are around eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (UK), and China, Singapore, South Korea and Japan (nine hours ahead) – and more for Australia and New Zealand. Of course, the differences are not only represented in the time zones, but much more importantly in those between peoples and cultures.
