Both healthcare and media production face the same operational challenge: managing a large, specialized workforce under volatile, high-stakes demand. In hospitals, patient inflow unpredictability strains staffing, while in media production, fluctuating project pipelines drive overtime, budget overruns, and resource conflicts. Healthcare has already solved this problem at scale using predictive census AI—forecasting demand with >90% accuracy and optimizing staffing in real time. Media production follows a structurally similar pattern: patient flow mirrors project flow, departments mirror production units, and clinical resources map to crew, studios, and equipment. By adapting healthcare’s proven architecture—time-series forecasting, ensemble models, and visual operational dashboards—media companies can shift from reactive scheduling to proactive workforce management, unlocking significant reductions in overtime, idle time, and budget variance.
Dalet – The Economic Shift: From Waterfall to Agile in 2026
Looking back at 2025, one thing is clear: this was the year AI finally moved from experimentation to production in the media industry. At the beginning of the year, especially at the NAB Show in April, we still saw hesitation. Media technology buyers were curious but cautious, unsure whether AI would deliver real operational value. But very quickly after the show, that hesitancy faded. Broadcasters and content companies began requesting implementations, not just demonstrations. They tested AI capabilities and, most importantly, saw tangible benefits.
Transcription, translation, and other core AI-powered functions, once considered innovations, became table stakes. Once customers used them in real workflows, expectations shifted. As we step into 2026, the question is not whether AI belongs in media workflows, but where the industry goes next. The answer lies in two major shifts: first, a move towards autonomous, task-oriented AI components; second, a cultural embrace of agile, iterative approaches over traditional waterfall thinking.
SipRadius – Taking Control: Protecting Content in the IP Era
The move to IP-based infrastructures has unlocked extraordinary flexibility for broadcasters and content owners. Using data circuits, including the public internet, enables distributed workflows that are agile, affordable, and scalable.
Traditional broadcast facilities centered everything around a secure, climate-controlled machine room. Access was strictly limited, and the physical boundary itself provided protection. Today, with software-defined architectures, production resources can be anywhere: in a data center, at a remote location, or in the cloud. That agility comes at a cost, because the physical barriers are gone but often not replaced with equally rigorous digital protections.
Ross Video – Inspiring the Next Generation of Broadcasters at Essex International Jamboree
At this year’s Essex International Scout and Guide Jamboree, over 4,500 young people, gathered from across the globe, had the unique opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of broadcast television, thanks to the support of Ross Video and their partner dB Broadcast. For seven days, participants were immersed in the behind-the-scenes magic of television production, gaining hands-on experience through interactive Tech Labs.
Quickplay – Engaging the Next Generation of Talent with Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Built into Your Company Culture
The media and entertainment industry has long been a catalyst for social change, shaping perspectives through the stories we tell and the voices we amplify. Yet when it comes to creating truly inclusive workplaces that entice diverse talent, many of those in our industry are still writing their next chapter. While we can certainly make the claim that progress has been made, the reality is the finish line is not yet in sight. We must fundamentally transform how we define company culture, ensuring that there is a clear encouragement of all professionals, including leadership, to be their authentic selves.
IABM Technology and Trends Roadmap – 2025
The IABM Technology and Trends Roadmap isn’t just for industry technologists to use as a reference. IABM has discovered industry execs using it as a starting point for their keynote speeches: product line managers are using it to plot their own products; and corporate board members get a better understanding of where the company’s products sit on the adoption curve, hence a better grasp or risks vs gross margins. This also assists marketing activities by giving an indication of how best to promote products within M&E and adjacent/vertical market areas.
Bridging the AI skills gap: essential knowledge for media professionals
The media landscape is in the midst of a seismic shift. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the game-changer that’s reshaping how media is produced, distributed, and consumed. Whether you’re in advertising, journalism, content creation, or any corner of the media world, there’s no escaping it: AI is here, and it’s not just for the tech gurus. The most challenging aspect is that once again, even our most seasoned media professionals may need to play catch-up on another emerging technology that is becoming pervasive in everything we do.
Young Person of the Year – bring on the talent
Every year at the IABM Annual Awards, IABM recognizes the Andrew Jones Young Person of Year with a special award. The competition for the 2024 award was particularly intense. In the end, the award went to Ciaran Ennis, Associate Engineer at Techex. However, any of the shortlisted candidates would have been worthy winners in their own right.
We spoke to the shortlisted candidates to find out what brought them into the MediaTech industry, what they enjoy about it and how they see their futures unfolding. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and personal drive is a common factor for all of them – as is the support and mentorship they have received. What follow is an inspiring read in its own right and also provides an excellent insight into how to foster the new talent our industry needs to continue to thrive.
MISTV – Are we going back to linear? If so, what’s the impact on advertising? What role does AI have?
Beyond news and sports, many viewers have seemingly replaced standard linear broadcast with on-demand. This is particularly true with the generation that grew up with MP3 players and making their own playlist, rather than simply listening to a whole album. Now we appear to be moving back into a type of customized linear viewing habit. Whether you’re sitting at home (or anywhere for that matter) people are back to just watching programs which we called “couch potatoes”. They are series binge watching, continuously locked into niche channels, or just sitting there watching clips flying by endlessly. When you look at the Nielsen Research, YouTube has captured 11% of the main TV screen in the home.
I call this “on-demand linear”. We are even seeing these niche FAST channels delivered over-the-air now and I wanted to dig deeper into this with respect to advertising as linear is still the “cash-cow” for the broadcast business due to advertising.
I had the fantastic opportunity to ask these questions to Jiří Gabriel, COO of MISTV, who supplies complex solutions for advertising sales, rights, content and broadcast management worldwide.
MediaKind – Creativity in the Age of AI
Independent content creators are no longer just challengers. They’re redefining the media landscape and going toe-to-toe with traditional broadcasters and major streaming giants for audience loyalty. A prime example of this shift? The recent Sidemen Charity Match, where over 90,000 fans packed Wembley Stadium to watch YouTube’s biggest stars compete on the football field. This event demonstrates how online influencers can now command the type of dedicated audiences once reserved for mainstream sports and entertainment events.