Reviewing 2024: What caught the eye of Shaun Lim that may prepare Asian broadcasters for the new year?
Before broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region prepare to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities that 2025 will bring, it is perhaps timely to sit back and review key developments in 2024 and how these can be leveraged to shape successful strategies for the new year.
In this special report, we invite you to relive 2024 through the lenses of APB+’s extensive coverage of key trends and developments in the broadcast and media industry over the past 12 months.
January: Content monetisation strategies – Making your content work for you
APB+ kicked off 2024 with a look at some of the major trends that could potentially impact the media and entertainment industry.
Brajesh Jha, Genpact’s Head of Media, Publishing & Entertainment, predicted the emergence of more streaming content bundles and partnerships, and how ad dollars would continue to shift towards digital channels.
The onus then, was on broadcasters to fight subscription fatigue while successfully shaping their content monetisation strategies.
“We are witnessing an explosion of new content and formats that are digital-first and created to fit the (emerging) hybrid strategies, coupled with improved digital app experiences akin to what leading streaming platforms are offering,” said Till Sudworth, Head of BU Video and Member of Management Board at global video intelligence company NPAW.
February: Clearing the haze over decentralised broadcast workflows in the cloud
Remote production and virtualised work environments, necessitated by the pandemic, has continued to endure as decentralised workflows become the norm for many broadcast productions.
Broadcasters, besides realising that decentralisaion of workflows provide more flexibility and mobility for teams to work and collaborate from anywhere across the globe, had also discovered that the cloud is a feasible and economical option for remote production.
“From the technology and business perspective for live production, [cloud-native approaches] have allowed more efficient use of compute and power by allowing broadcasters to offload service to remote compute, such as in the cloud, or at a central facility,” added Ian Fletcher, CTO of Grass Valley.
March: Developing cost-effective infrastructures through IP remote production
In line with its diversity as a region, APAC was displaying a range of varied adoption levels when it came to IP remote production.
Kevin Salvidge, Sales Engineering Manager, Leader Europe, suggested, “IP remote production will no doubt offer significant operational savings, but they have to be managed in conjunction with operational practices and not compromise the quality of the production to their clients and the end-customers.”
The debate over the standard that would lead the broadcast IP revolution is also likely to carry on into 2025.
Fintan McKiernan, CEO, Ideal Systems, South East Asia, proposed that NDI could be a most cost-effective option for APAC broadcasters, as opposed to ST2110. “The additional technical complexity and significant extra cost in deploying and maintaining 2110-based solutions mandates very careful consideration of the benefits to justify its use over NDI.”
April: Create, Connect, and Capitalise – Spotlight falls on 2024 NAB Show
More than 61,000 visitors consisting of broadcasters, decision-makers, and thought leaders descended on the familiar halls of the Las Vegas Convention Centre for the 2024 NAB Show.
Still widely recognised as one of the world’s premier broadcast, media and entertainment industry exhibition, this year’s NAB Show focused on three cores areas – Create, Connect, & Capitalise – and led the discussion on many topics that would redefine the future of the broadcast and media industry, including but not limited to AI, virtual production, and workflow evolution.
Proudly flying the APB+ flag at the 2024 NAB Show was our indefatigable News Editor, Shirish Nadkarni, who scoured the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Centre speaking with key stakeholders on the latest trends impacting the broadcast and media industry. Expect to see more of Shirish at key trade events in 2025!
May: A unified approach to content protection for traditional broadcasters
According to a Bango study released in October 2023, almost half (44%) of Asian consumers admitted to accessing content via illegal piracy sites, with a cost-of-living crunch attributed as the main contributory factor.
Besides cost, factors such as high broadband penetration and widespread access to digital services had also fuelled the rampant growth of content piracy across Asia, said Andrew Bunten, Chief People Officer for Video Entertainment, Irdeto.
While the road ahead to eradicate content piracy in Asia is likely to be fraught with challenges, Bunten called for a unified approach that converges strategies to maximise effectiveness and allows broadcasters to successfully preserve the value of their content.
June: Asia’s broadcast and media industry redefines tech for a better future
If the NAB Show remained one of the pre-eminent broadcast and media trade shows in the world, BroadcastAsia 2024 was playing an equally important role in shaping the future of Asia’s broadcast and media industry.
Took place from May 29 to 31 in Singapore with the theme of Redefining tech for a better future, BroadcastAsia served as a busy hub for innovation and collaboration, as APB+’s News Editor, Shirish Nadkarni, found out.
To celebrate some of the outstanding achievements of industry leaders pushing the boundaries of broadcast technology, digitalisation, and engineering across the Asia-Pacific region, APB+ also organised the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2024, with nominations now open for the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2025. Join us and contribute to the innovation and excellence that will continue to shape Asia’s broadcast and media industry!
July: StarHub leveraging 5G to reshape how content was being consumed
In an exclusive interview, APB+ spoke with Johan Buse, Chief of Consumer Business Group, StarHub, on how the telco and pay-TV operator was responding to consumers’ desire for more on-demand entertainment content by delivering even more personalised experiences and targeted recommendations.
This successful endeavour was supported by StarHub’s embrace of an emerging technology, as Buse explained, “StarHub sees 5G as a game-changer for sports over-the-top (OTT) streaming, enabling us to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience for our customers … 5G truly opens up a lot of possibilities and has been revolutionising our viewing habits far beyond the confines of traditional satellite and cable services that ruled the roost just over a decade ago.”
Expect 5G broadcast to take a further step into the mainstream in 2025.
August: AI ran the show at the Paris Olympics
Regardless of how technologies evolved and consumer habits changed, live sports would always hold a magical allure for audiences globally.
The Paris Olympic Games of 2024 was no different, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reporting five billion people around the globe followed the Games. What differs from previous Games, perhaps, was how the IOC leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to run the show.
Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, explained, “We are also using AI to make the Olympic Games more sustainable, through a very sophisticated first-ever data capture and energy management system.”
The deployment of AI is likely to represent but the tip of the iceberg, as more broadcasters leverage on AI to enhance broadcast production and drive higher audience engagement in 2025.
September: AI stole limelight at IBC2024
September saw the successful staging of IBC2024, which recorded more than 45,000 visitors at the sprawling RAI convention centre in Amsterdam.
Again, APB+’s News Editor Shirish Nadkarni reported live from Amsterdam, engaging in meaningful conversations around trending topics impacting the Asian broadcast and media industry, perhaps none more so than AI.
“For one, people are really focused now on how to make money. It is all about efficiency – and AI is turning into that aspect,” said Stan Moote, Chief Technology Officer, International Trade Association for Broadcast & Media Technology (IABM).
Shirish also had the opportunity to view at first hand a new AI Tech Zone powered by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The showcase featured organisations sharing examples of practical applications for AI in the broadcast space – expect this to accelerate at IBC2025 and other key broadcast trade shows in the new year.
October: Can XR succeed where 3D failed?
Remember the days when 3D promised to reshape sports broadcasting, only to fade into relative obscurity?
Undeterred, Accedo, Qualcomm Technologies and HBS came together to form the XR Sports Alliance (XRSA), with the stated aim of creating truly immersive viewing experiences through extended reality (XR).
“XR devices have now matured to a point where they can deliver a genuine ‘wow’ factor when users use them. The next step is to create experiences with meaningful editorial value that can foster loyalty and encourage repeat viewing amongst sports fans,” said Sylvian Lebreton, Head of Digital Services, HBS.
Combining augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), XRSA is convinced that XR has the potential to rise above 3D’s linear three-dimensional streaming experience to herald a new era in sports broadcasting.
November: Challenges & strategic priorities for Asia’s broadcast/media industry in 2025
“Emerging challenges will provide us with new opportunities to collaborate and reinstate the media’s role as the Fourth Estate of democracy. It is also a wake-up call for the industry as social media cannot be the sole platform for information dissemination,” said Philomena Gnanapragasam, CEO, Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD).
In a wide-ranging interview with APB+, she identified some of the key challenges and opportunities awaiting APAC broadcasters in 2025 and explained why AIBD would continue to play a key role in fostering cooperation and collaboration among broadcasters as they look to build a sustainable future for the region’s broadcast and media industry.
December: Why the journey to a sustainable greener future has only just begun
Like any other industry, the broadcast and media industry has seen sustainability turn into a key buzzword in recent years as stakeholders strive for more robust and sustainable broadcast practices.
While commendable progress has been made during 2024, more can be done in 2025, encouraged Barbara Lange, Principal & CEO of Kibo121, a boutique consultancy which works with the media industry to help educate and enhance sustainability initiatives.
“By combining technological advancements, collaboration, and a commitment to transparency, the industry can accelerate its journey toward a sustainable future,” she said.
Companies like Ross Video are also throwing their support behind the creation of a greener future, by investing in a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI).
Jeff Poapst, Chief Manufacturing Officer, Ross Video, explained, “Hyperconverged infrastructure offers a pathway to balancing technological advancement with responsible environmental stewardship.”
For all the latest news and analysis into the key trends and developments in the broadcast and media industry, follow APB+ in 2025, as we continue to be your trusted source of information and insights!
May 2025 be a Peaceful & Prosperous Year for one and all.
