In this edition of Broadcast Unscripted, we discussed ad trends, including the continuing shift to ad-supported services and tiers. We also discussed the technology developments and innovations that are supporting this shift and whether consumers are happy to tolerate more ads or simply do so for financial reasons. Of course, AI also made an appearance discussing how it might help the industry to better personalise ads in a more cost-effective way. In the coming months and years the panellists expect we will start to see the impact of new standards around ad technology and measurement, more use of non-disruptive ad formats and a move to shoppable ads.

Guests:

• Luke Gaydon, Accedo
• Paul Davies, Yospace
• Reinhard Grandl, Bitmovin

In our latest podcast, we explore the potential for XR video experiences and why it is particularly well suited for sports. We also discuss the hardware developments, increasing use of AI for smart glasses, and likely applications this will see emerge, as well as some recent experiments and deployments creating and serving XR video experiences for exciting sporting action.

Guests:

• Lucy Trang Nguyen, Accedo
• Laurence Boyd, E1 Series
• Patrick Costello, Qualcomm

As the dust settles post IBC, we discussed the biggest standout trends from the show as well as our predictions for NAB. From the switch from AI hype to practical use cases and the emergence of Agentic AI, to a more “hands on” booth approach at the event. We also discussed monetization and a rise in ad innovations, as well as the focus on secondary spend for the hospitality industry. What will we see at NAB? More AI, data visualisation, and more focus on financial operations for cloud, giving broadcasters better ability to track and manage cloud spend.

Guests:

• Martins Magone, CTO, Veset
• Rasmus Almqvist, VP, Global Sales, Hibox, part of the Accedo Group
• Igor Oreper, Chief Strategy Officer, Bitmovin

In this podcast, we discuss Agentic AI and its role in the media and entertainment industry. Agentic AI builds on previous iterations of AI but is much less prescriptive and could enable software to more easily work together, doing away with the need for APIs. We discussed whether this represents a turning point for how we think about labour, how close we are to seeing real use cases of Agentic AI, and how we go from AI as a cost and efficiency saver to a revenue generation tool. We also discuss how the M&E sector can learn from other industries who are further ahead in their use of Agentic AI and the importance of considering social aspects when implementing, for example looking out for consumer wellbeing.

• Bleuenn LeGoffic, VP Business Transformation, Accedo
• Jacob Arends, Senior Product Manager, Bitmovin
• Tommy Flanagan, Editor, Faultline

In our latest podcast, we caught up with industry journalists to get their take on the latest trends impacting media and entertainment. From discussions at NAB, the potential effect of tariffs, the never-ending transition to cloud and IP, and a move towards “the everything era”, we covered a breadth of trends and challenges, as well as asking whether M&E can survive the current climate to thrive again.

Guests:
• Jenny Priestley, Editor TVB Europe
• Kirby Grines, Editor, The Streaming Wars

With AI hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons recently, we discussed the need for caution, as well as the current and potential future use cases for AI. This includes the need to consider ethics relating to AI adoption, as well as the cost and sustainability implications. Meanwhile AI can, and is being used to analyse scenes, improve quality of experience, and personalise the experience. We also discuss the acceptance of AI and whether that changes based on demographics. Looking to the future, the biggest potential could be to improve accessibility, localisation, and social interaction.

Guests:

· Jacob Arends, Senior Product Manager, Bitmovin

· Aitana Amador, Product Designer, Accedo

· Stuart Thomson, Editor, decodeTV

In our second podcast focusing on sustainability in Wales, we discuss the impact of Screen New Deal, some of the projects happening in Wales, the importance of training the future sustainability managers, and the changes to the production industry and mindset across the region. Tilly Ashton, Sustainability Lead for Severn Screen and BAFTA Albert trainer, Steve Smith, Sustainability Consultant, Picture Zero, and Neal Romanek, Editor, The Flint also give their advice for people starting out on their sustainability journey.

Guests:
· Tilly Ashton, Sustainability Lead for Severn Screen and BAFTA Albert trainer
· Steve Smith, Sustainability Consultant, Picture Zero
· Neal Romanek, Editor, The Flint

In part 1 of this 2 part series on sustainability in Wales, we talk about the impetus behind Screen New Deal, an initiative that was introduced in Wales at the end of November 2023. BAFTA albert, Ffilm Cyrmu Wales, and Media Cymru discuss the impact so far across the region, the challenges still remaining, and some of the projects aiming to overcome them. They also discuss how we can take the learnings from Wales to replicate similar initiatives on a global scale.

Guests:
· April Sotomayor, Head of Industry Sustainability, Albert
· Louise Dixey, Sustainability Manager, Ffilm Cymru Wales
· Justin Lewis, Director, Media Cymru