IBC 2024 was a milestone for us—it marked our first time exhibiting after years of attending as visitors. For more than a decade, we’ve been deep in OTT projects, honing our expertise, and this year, we proudly presented Velvet Media our flagship product. We made some rookie mistakes as first-time exhibitors, but we also learned a lot. Most importantly, we had a full agenda for all four days, meeting so many incredible people and industry leaders, and we are immensely proud of this achievement
While our highlight of the show was sharing Velvet and connecting with all of you, we kept our eyes on the buzz around the event. IBC 2024 brought together more than 45,000 visitors from 170 countries, making it one of the strongest post-pandemic years. Here’s our take on the key topics that had everyone talking.
AI: Driving the Future of Content Delivery
Artificial intelligence was everywhere at IBC (again). AI innovations touched all areas of content creation and delivery, from production workflows to audience personalization. The halls was buzzing with demos that showcased how AI is reshaping video production, post-production, and distribution. For us, one of the standout trends was AI’s role in sports streaming, where it’s revolutionizing how content is tailored and delivered to viewers. The ability to analyze data and make content more personalized in real time is becoming essential, especially as sports events shift more towards streaming platforms.
Monetization and Ad Tech Innovation
Monetization strategies were another big focus this year. Advanced advertising technology, from hyper-targeted ads to new subscription models like pay-per-view, showcased a wide range of opportunities to generate revenue from content. But with more options comes more competition, and staying innovative is crucial. [check what’s new in our Innovation Lab] We noticed how many companies emphasized the need to not only adopt these advanced ad-tech solutions but also ensure they run seamlessly to avoid technical glitches that could impact revenue streams.
Celebrating Diversity in AI
One inspiring highlight at IBC 2024 was the strong presence of women-led AI startups. We believe this diversity in leadership is a critical driver of innovation in AI. The involvement of more diverse perspectives, especially in training AI models, is key to creating solutions that benefit the entire industry. It was refreshing to see this recognition and commitment toward inclusivity.
Focus on Viewer Experience and Retention
A recurring theme across many discussions was how to improve the viewer experience to drive both acquisition and retention. In an era of fierce competition among streaming platforms, those who prioritize personalization and ease of use are clearly leading the pack. Whether it’s through AI-driven content recommendations or refined user interfaces, delivering an engaging experience is more important than ever.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
In summary, IBC 2024 was a huge success for us, not just because it was our first time as exhibitors but also for the invaluable learning and connections we gained. We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and supported us throughout the show. If you didn’t get a chance to visit, feel free to reach out—we’re excited to continue the conversations and build on everything we’ve learned!
