Today’s consumer has an insatiable hunger for video content at any time, which has created a vast streaming media ecosystem. To serve enough ‘bread and games’ to the masses, OTT service providers have no choice but to cover many platforms, such as iOS, Android, web, set-top boxes, TV dongles and smart TVs. This buffet of platforms has been the cause of many headaches for OTT service providers integrating a video player into their application.
IABM Journal 2025 content focus and deadlines
Here are the main themes and deadlines for the four 2025 editions of the IABM Journal.
Articles submitted should be 800-1000 words plus supporting images*, including a headshot of the author where possible.
We will also consider publishing articles outside the main themes of each edition. Opinion articles addressing key current industry issues are in particular always welcome, alongside interesting case studies.
Note that we have added a new regular feature for 2025 covering activities outside of mainstream M&E as IABM members increasingly look to parallel markets for growth. We have given this the heading of Enterprise AV – intended to cover everything from enterprise, medical, retail, government and hospitality to emergency services, utilities, education, transportation etc. – wherever IABM members are looking for new opportunities and growth.
March 2025 – Q1
Main theme 1: Creativity & Orchestration
How will the next wave of automation impact jobs in content creation and production?
Editorial focus: Tech and activities that boost creativity. This includes both creativity and technical innovation using physical, virtual, or immersive methods. We’ll also look at the impact of AI and automation on content creation and production.
Keywords: Creativity, Collaboration, Innovation, Content, Metaverse, Immersive, Imaging, Creation, Production, Culture, Automation, AI etc.
Main theme 2: Democratization
Editorial focus: The democratization of technology as the shift in the application of specialized broadcast and cinema audiovisual technologies towards more mainstream use, making it more accessible to non-professional users both in the M&E industry and other verticals (Enterprise AV) using audio visual technologies.
Keywords: People, technology, markets.
Content chain: Create, Produce
The latest developments that are enhancing creativity, collaboration, and workflows at the front end of the BaM Content Chain®.
Sustainability: what progress is the industry making?
Deadline for finished materials: 14 March
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June 2025 – Q2
Main theme 1: Resilience
Editorial focus: We’ll cover tech and activities that boost business and technical resilience. This includes security, business and data protection, geographical diversification etc.
Keywords: Security, Business Continuity, Data Privacy, Disruption, Supply Chain, Standardization, Scarcity, Complexity, Interoperability etc.
Main theme 2: Video Game Industry Convergence
Editorial focus: The video game market is reported to account for $522.46b in annual revenue globally in 2025. Game engines have become powerful tools for 3D modelling and animation. Post production stands to benefit from Video Game Industry Convergence with MediaTech, as game engines have been a catalyst for the development of in-camera VFX workflows on LED volumes, and underpin a variety of other types of virtual production. This is extending the reach of technology and tools from the video game industry across the entire BaM Content Chain®.
Keywords: convergence, virtual production, 3D modelling, immersive, LED volumes, new applications.
Content Chain: Connect, Store, Support
The latest developments in the activities that enable the BaM Content Chain® – moving/delivering content; storing content throughout its lifecycle; monitoring, testing, communicating and running facilities.
Technology and Trends Roadmap – this is a vital tool for MediaTech suppliers and end-users in planning their strategies. We will explain the changes in this year’s update.
Sustainability: what progress is our industry making?
Enterprise AV: where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities.
Deadline for finished materials: 6 June
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September 2025 – Q3
Main theme 1: Efficiency & Sustainability
Editorial focus: We’ll cover tech and activities that boost efficiency. This includes automation, intelligence, supply chain management, cloud-based workflows etc. We’ll also look at sustainability in MediaTech.
Keywords: Speed, Supply Chain, Data, Intelligence, Cloud, SaaS, Pricing, Automation, Insourcing, Outsourcing, End-to-End, Best-of-Breed, CAPEX, OPEX, Sustainability, etc.
Main theme 2: Next Generation Talent
How is our industry supporting the drive to attract new talent and increase workplace diversity and inclusion?
Keywords: Talent, Skillsets, Workforce, Diversity etc.
Content Chain: Manage, Publish
The latest developments in managing and preparing completed content and its publication, including playout of linear and non-linear content; orchestrating the workflow and resources required.
Enterprise AV: where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities.
Deadline for finished materials: 22 August
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December 2025 – Q4
Main theme 1: Economics & Democratization
Editorial focus: We’ll cover tech and activities that boost revenue generation. This includes revenue creation and differentiation. We’ll also look at convergence between media, MediaTech and adjacent sectors.
Keywords: Direct-to-Consumer, Business Models, Economics, Revenue-Generating, R&D Investment, Convergence, Parallel Markets, Gaming, Consumer Experiences etc.
Main theme 2: Sustainability
Our home is under threat; what is our industry doing to protect our beautiful but fragile planet?
Content Chain: Monetize, Consume
The latest developments in managing rights and royalties, scheduling services, advertising, data aggregation and analysis. Enabling consumption of content on consumer-facing devices, apps, and platforms.
Enterprise AV: where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities.
Deadline for finished materials: 14 November
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*Please ensure you have full copyright clearance for all images supplied. Recently IABM has inadvertently fallen foul of international copyright law because an image supplied by an IABM member had not been authorised for publication. This resulted in IABM having to pay a fine, along with diverting scarce resources to deal with the claim.
MediaKind – Ensuring optimal content delivery: key approaches and strategies
In today’s digital landscape, the demand for high-quality video content is ever-growing, driving the need for robust platforms that can support the development of modern video applications and streaming media services. One of the key challenges for enterprises, broadcasters, and content creators lies in effectively managing and delivering video content across various channels and devices. The first hurdle consumers encounter when wanting to view content is being able to access it. We’ve all heard or seen about big events where people haven’t been able to sign in at the time the event begins or where the video streaming quality has suffered.
Agile Content – How TVaaS empowers telcos and ISPs to seamlessly enter the TV market
In the ever-evolving and highly competitive telecommunications landscape, delivering high-quality TV services has become a critical factor for success. However, for Tier 2 and Tier 3 telcos and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), entering the TV service market presents a daunting challenge. The obstacles are numerous, ranging from limited infrastructure and technical expertise to significant capital investment requirements. Building and maintaining a robust TV platform demands not only substantial financial resources but also continuous content management and the agility to respond to rapidly changing consumer preferences. For many smaller telcos and ISPs, these challenges result in either subpar TV services or an inability to offer these services at all. Studies have consistently shown that households with bundled TV and internet services exhibit significantly higher retention rates compared to those with standalone services. For instance, a recent report by Deloitte revealed that 40% of consumers are more likely to stay with their current provider if they are satisfied with their TV service. This customer retention is crucial for smaller telcos and ISPs operating in a saturated market, where competition is fierce and customer loyalty can be hard to secure. Offering a compelling service can act as a significant differentiator, helping these companies retain customers who might otherwise switch to competitors offering more comprehensive service packages.
UpStream Dubai
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.
Monterosa – How apps and merch became one in reality TV
It all started with a water bottle.
Love Island launched in 2015 and quickly became one of the most successful reality TV shows in history – with 22 versions launched globally, and into its ninth season in the UK.
One of the integral elements of the series is the Love Island app.
From interactive polls to quizzes, live content updates to ad inventory, the Love Island app helps to keep fans hooked on the show throughout the season.
Powered by Monterosa / Interaction Cloud, the real-time fan app drives increased levels of engagement and is an essential part of the format itself, empowering viewers to affect the show’s outcome, through a range of votes.
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.