By Shaun Lim
As we embark on 2026, broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region will be undergoing a series of changes to stay relevant. IP migration, hybrid cloud models, and early‑stage AI are indeed reshaping workflows, while co‑productions and smarter content discovery redefine audience engagement.
With technology converging on creativity and human‑centred value, APAC stands ready to drive the next phase of global media evolution. As APAC broadcasting enters a decisive year of reinvention, APB+ spoke with broadcasters and key industry partners as to what they see will be the defining trends for 2026.
Broadcast’s future is fully IP
“Across APAC, the move to IP is no longer theoretical — it’s underway. Broadcasters are shifting from experimentation to real ST 2110 deployments as costs fall and engineering teams gain stronger IT and networking skills. And in a region that spans vast geographies and distributed production ecosystems, IP enables remote, multi-site, and cloud-hybrid workflows that SDI simply cannot match.
Further driving the momentum is the recognition that maintaining SDI islands is becoming harder and more expensive. Hybrid architectures will remain common, but the long-term direction is clear: each year, more workflows migrate to IP and fewer stay tied to dedicated SDI systems.
“This trend will accelerate in 2026.”
IP infrastructure gains pace in 2026
“The shift toward full IP-based infrastructure will accelerate in 2026, driven by advances in computing power, bandwidth, and NIC interfaces. SMPTE ST 2110 and ST 2022 are now widely adopted, replacing the cost and rigidity of legacy SDI systems. This maturity enables higher-quality cloud workflows and centralised production for cost‑effective remote operations.
“Internet delivery has proven more resilient than fibre or satellite, with SRT becoming the preferred method for linear contribution. Hardware‑accelerated SRT and edge gateways further reduce latency and improve reliability.
“Cybersecurity and compliance remain critical, with broadcasters adopting built-in firewalling and SMPTE RP‑2129 trust‑boundary standards. CTOs must balance growing complexity with clearer ROI as IP ecosystems expand.”
Asian stories gain global momentum
“One defining trend in 2026 will be the acceleration of co-productions and cross-border creative alliances, as global audiences show a stronger appetite for premium Asian stories that travel. With enhanced production capacity and regional talent pipelines, creators can develop content with both clear Asian relevance and wider global appeal, shaped by fresh perspectives across markets.
“Emerging technologies, including generative AI and virtual production, will support this by streamlining workflows and expanding creative possibilities, while nurturing the human craft at the heart of storytelling.
“At Mediacorp, we are leaning into this shift by deepening collaborations beyond Singapore to amplify homegrown voices and connect storytellers, ideas, and audiences across the region. By aligning technology with creative partnerships, we see boundless opportunities ahead for APAC to shape the next phase of content evolution."
Connection, not content, defines the future
“In 2026, entertainment will move from subscription to connection. Audiences want control, relevance and the freedom to enjoy content in formats that fit their lives, from quick mobile moments to immersive long-form viewing at home.
“As ad supported models grow and freemium ecosystems expand, the real differentiator will be how well we understand people, not how much content we hold. The industry must unify sports, local storytelling and global hits in a seamless experience enriched by smart curation and data insights.
“At StarHub, we are building this with one goal in mind — creating meaningful, human-centred value for every viewer.”
IP, AI, & cloud trials will shape 2026
“In 2026, more TV broadcasters in APAC are expected to embrace IP infrastructure, with SMPTE’s ST 2110 firmly established as the industry standard. Complementary IP technologies such as NDI and NVI are also gaining traction, offering flexible options for both broadcast and AV applications.
“At the same time, AI is becoming increasingly visible, with trials focused on workflow efficiency and early‑stage content generation (AIGC). While AIGC remains nascent, its potential is drawing strong interest.
“Cloud and remote production are likewise undergoing more rigorous testing, as broadcasters in different markets assess cost‑benefit models, particularly for live events, driving adoption of hybrid approaches that balance efficiency with reliability.”
Agentic AI & hybrid models to define 2026
“2026 marks the era of Agentic AI. These systems remain early-stage, requiring strong human oversight to prevent operational and ethical missteps.
“At the same time, the real OPEX impact of cloud workflows is driving many organisations toward hybrid, and in some cases fully on-premises CAPEX models. A major driver is inconsistent vendor licensing, which the IABM is addressing in 2026 through a new initiative to establish Dynamic Software Licensing as an industry best practice, delivering predictability and interoperability.
“Meanwhile, an overabundance of content has created both search fatigue and consumer fatigue. A breakthrough in content discovery and experience design is urgently needed to restore audience engagement and value in 2026.”
AI powers workflow, localisation & trust
“In 2026, AI adoption across broadcasting is set to accelerate as more proofs of concept move into full production and maturing technologies unlock use cases that were previously out of reach.
“Broadcasters that have been waiting for the ‘right moment’ are expected to shift quickly as competitive pressure rises. Priority areas include workflow automation, subtitling, dubbing, localisation, short-clip generation, metadata and content recognition, predictive monitoring and piracy detection.
“Another trend that I believe will gain traction is domain-trained and potentially self-hosted models being deployed responsibly under strong governance to optimise cost, protect intellectual property and expand the range of efficient, scalable content applications.”
Translation, indexing & QC enter the AI era
“AI will define the next wave in broadcasting, gradually permeating the entire value chain. Today, AI’s Large Language Models (LLMs) are being tested for translation, a critical need in multilingual Malaysia where subtitling remains one of the most labour‑intensive processes.
“Early trials of AI‑based subtitling have struggled with local language nuances, achieving only partial accuracy, but optimism remains as systems improve with training. Beyond translation, AI offers promise in material cataloguing and indexing, using video recognition to enhance search and retrieval across vast archives.
“Another area of potential is automated Quality Control (QC), where AI could streamline one of the industry’s most time‑consuming and resource‑heavy tasks.”
Driving growth while navigating limited funds & resources
“In 2026, a key trend for the Asia-Pacific broadcast and media industry will be the strategic navigation of services to retain and grow audiences amid constrained resources and funding. This challenge affects both public service and commercial providers alike. Content strategy, particularly the balance between entertainment, news, and locally produced programming, will play a pivotal role in audience engagement.
“To combat misinformation and strengthen trust in their news offering, public service broadcasters are expected to pursue affordable, scalable distribution models. Meanwhile, commercial broadcasters will prioritise operational efficiency, leveraging cost-effective technologies across both production and delivery networks.”
IPMX bridges broadcast and Pro-AV in 2026
“2026 will continue to see two trends merging: broadcasters on tight budgets trying to do more with less, and the steady growth of the Pro-AV market. The result will be broadcast-quality products developed by traditional vendors brought to market at a price point suitable for the Pro-AV market. Over time, the lines between these two markets will blur, driven by industry initiatives such as The IP Media eXperience (IPMX).
“In a nutshell, IPMX is SMPTE ST 2110 made easy (and a lot cheaper). Focused on Pro-AV applications, IPMX also works very well for small broadcasters who want to transition to a full IP plant but lack the money and personnel.”
SSAI momentum reshapes monetisation in APAC
“Monetisation is gaining momentum in APAC, with Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) rapidly overtaking legacy Client-Side Ad Insertion (CSAI). SSAI enables faster deployment and delivers superior quality of experience across all screens, especially connected TV. Most operators and providers have already launched SSAI or are rolling it out, while non-linear and shoppable ads are set to expand inventory and business models.
“Cloud adoption works well for lighter workflows like monetisation, but heavier workloads such as Origin Packagers or content delivery network (CDN) operations remain more cost-effective on-premises. Hybrid architectures are rising, with the main system on-premises and some disaster recovery capacity in the public cloud.”
COTS hardware gains ground in broadcasting
“The reliance on bespoke hardware in broadcasting is steadily fading, particularly in live production. Generic IT equipment and off‑the‑shelf devices are increasingly penetrating the broadcast industry. The requirement for a bespoke device that does only one thing is fast becoming a burden and will get replaced by devices that can be anything you want for the day.
“The usage of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware combined by generic GPUs and reprogrammable FPGAs will see increased adoption. At the same time, traditional operational surfaces such as switchers, routers, and talkback panels are giving way to generic control panels like streamdecks or software‑based virtual systems.”