NAB Show: The Most Anticipated Trends for 2022 

NAB Show is back in Las Vegas, in person, and this year we’re offering a completely reimagined, even more intuitive experience. Show attendees will be able to explore four carefully curated collections of exhibits and educational resources illustrating the entire content lifecycle — Create, Connect, Capitalize and Intelligent Content. Each offers opportunities for learning, discovery and engagement across the latest tools and advanced workflow options for content creation; next-generation technologies for creating new revenue streams; cloud computing and new media infrastructure; or all things data, AI and automation. 

Only NAB Show offers this incredible experience. Of course, it’s also the place to learn about the latest industry trends. With that in mind, we asked attendees what trends they are hoping to see on the show floor this year and had some of this year’s exhibitors weigh in with their thoughts on trends across Create, Connect, Capitalize and Intelligent Content. 

Refinement and Continued Development of Remote Production and Collaboration Processes 

The use of remote production has been steadily growing for some time. With COVID-19 and the need to minimize travel and onsite personnel, however, its broader adoption was accelerated on a massive scale. In today’s live event productions, it’s standard for some elements of the workflow — if not all — to be performed remotely. Even weathercasting is undergoing an evolutionary change, with cloudification enabling the creation of high-quality video content from anywhere using a standard laptop. And while some broadcasters have returned to an in-person approach, many others will continue to invest in remote and hybrid technologies that enable collaboration while increasing flexibility and reducing costs.   

“Virtual production workflows and streaming technologies have evolved to the point where location has become nearly irrelevant, which has opened a lot of new doors for creativity. However, collaboration will always be key, so it’s crucial that productions keep that as their guiding principle when designing their remote workflows. They should be looking to invest in technology that allows for connectivity, creativity, and collaboration — regardless of location — so they’re prepared for whatever model they follow next.”  

— Bob Caniglia, Director of Sales Operations, Americas, Blackmagic Design 

“Over the past five years, the swift development of cloud-based production tools has provided even more options across a wider range of projects employing remote production methods. Media companies are now able to execute the entire production process in a cloud-based environment, covering everything from IP video contribution and graphics creation to low-latency communications, clipping and editing, and distribution.” 

— Glenn Adamo, Managing Director, The Switch 

AI and Automation in Driving Production Efficiencies 

The demand for content across all platforms has exploded, and the only way for providers to keep up is to automate their workflows as much as possible. For faster content processing, AI and machine learning tools are now capable of analyzing content for specific information that can be used to create metadata and guide their operations, both automated and manual.  

“For content QC, a metadata-driven approach significantly increases the amount of content that can be processed and helps media companies meet the new demand.” 

— Geoff Stedman, Chief Marketing Officer, SDVI  

“AI will play a critical role for TV stations that must distribute weather content to a wide range of digital platforms — each with different user expectations. It allows content to be automatically produced, curated and posted across any number of platforms, easing meteorologists’ workflow so they can focus on storytelling and adding local context to keep their audiences informed and safe.” 

— Rodney Thompson, Senior Strategist, IBM 

Future of Linear Broadcast in a Mobile-Streaming-Addicted World 

The proliferation of mobile devices has dramatically changed how content is being consumed, especially for younger audiences. Instead of watching full-length games and other live events on television, they are instead embracing short, on-demand highlights streamed on social media and other platforms. With this shift away from scheduled TV programming, linear broadcasting is becoming part of a broader content continuum spanning live and on-demand elements across a range of screens. With NextGen TV further expanding local broadcast television into the mobile universe, broadcasters are looking to leverage the cloud to produce a range of broadcast-quality content. 

“Cloud-based production, clipping and editing, and transmission tools are already powering a wide array of connected live sports and entertainment assets. Programming now stretches across a broad spectrum that runs from analyzing the match-up ahead of the big game and capturing celebrity interviews on the red carpet to talking through the betting landscape and streaming every post-game press conference. As content needs continue to grow, the speed, flexibility and efficiency of cloud tools ensures that rightsholders get more out of their assets as they move into a more fluid, less-defined era of media consumption.” 

— Robert Szabo-Rowe, SVP Engineering and Product Management, The Switch 

“For broadcasters, the time to plan for the transition to NexGen TV is now. Not only does this apply to technology, but also how sales teams will become experts in the new tactics available to advertisers.” 

— Jimshade Chaudhari, SVP Product, Marketron 

Use of Data and Analytics to Inform Business Strategy 

While the continuous introduction of new advertising opportunities has spread out viewership and listenership for local TV and radio broadcasters, they are well-positioned to bring multiple channels together to offer advertisers a single source for cross-media campaigns. To realize the revenue potential of this opportunity, broadcasters need to take advantage of their access to a wealth of targeting data, historical rates, campaign metrics and sales forecasts, relying on technology to help them analyze and automate this data. 

“Technology is available that uses real data to set spot pricing that maximizes every spot rate and lessens waste due to unsold inventory. This, combined with streamlined sales processes and increased reporting analytics, will be the bedrock on which broadcast will continue to thrive in today’s changing environment.” 

— Jim Howard, CEO, Marketron 

“As media companies modernize their supply chains and embrace cloud models, perhaps the most powerful result is the amount and granularity of the data they now have in their operations. For the first time, these companies know what it costs, down to the minute, for every asset. They can understand how profitable any deal was, and more importantly, how profitable any new deal will be. This allows them to make better business decisions.” 

— Geoff Stedman, Chief Marketing Officer, SDVI 

Remote Production / 5G 

The cloud has taken remote production to the next level by minimizing the reliance on dedicated satellite, fiber and IP networks while offering higher flexibility and lower costs. And with the introduction of 5G, broadcasters can realize greater bandwidth, lower latency and a defined quality of service. This is especially beneficial for the production of events that span long distances — such as marathons and golf tournaments — to enable the delivery of a more compelling viewing experience.  

“Remote production is moving to a fully distributed production workflow that allows resources and talent to be located anywhere in the world. While 5G is an enabler for new production formats, it’s important to have an IP media platform that’s open, cloud-ready, and can ingest and distribute any live media stream, in any format, securely to multiple destinations across any IP network.” 

— Mari Fogelberg, Marketing Communications Manager, Net Insight 

The Rapid Decentralization of Broadcast and Production Workflows  

The combination of remote and cloud-based production capabilities has created a new distributed production model that streamlines production costs, improves operational efficiency, and delivers unprecedented flexibility and scalability. The result is that rightsholders can do more with less while they experiment with new types of coverage to create more immersive consumer experiences. Remote, cloud and distributed production models were all put to the test throughout the pandemic and passed with flying colors when it came to reliability, creativity and cost efficiency. As we come out the other side of the crisis, media companies, sports organizations and other rightsholders now have the ability to create tailored workflows for each type and size of production. 

“The new menu of production capabilities has been proven and opened a whole range of opportunities for coverage of future live events. And with cloud-based tools, the recruitment for most production roles is no longer constrained by geography — as long as a crew member has a laptop and an internet connection, they can do their job.”  

— Glenn Adamo, Managing Director, The Switch

“It’s no secret that many broadcasters were thrown into remote and decentralized workflows very quickly at the onset of the pandemic. While many scrambled and found solutions to successfully keep their productions afloat, some workflows were put together with short-term goals in mind. Now those workflows need to evolve so they can sustain and future-proof an ongoing decentralized model.” 

— Bob Caniglia, Director of Sales Operations, Americas, Blackmagic Design 

Blurring Lines Between Gaming and Entertainment 

To kick off 2022, Microsoft claimed its stake in the gaming industry with the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. That was followed by Sony’s acquisition of independent studio and publisher Bungie. These major deals and others have placed gaming front and center among entertainment formats. It’s clear that the entire entertainment industry is heading towards an era of interactive engagement with viewers, with titans like Microsoft and Sony taking the reins by acquiring the building blocks for the metaverse. 

“Gamers have been using avatars to explore and interact within virtual environments for decades, but now the pioneers who created those virtual worlds have the backing of big tech to demonstrate just how much they can achieve. Today, as gamers and others use the internet to buy clothes and groceries, communicate, work, and play, the idea of investing wholeheartedly in the digital world to engage the next generation makes sense.”  

— Charles Conroy, VP Gaming, The Switch

The Unrelenting Growth of the eSports Market 

As the audience for eSports continues to grow, so too does the expectation for a state-of-the-art viewing experience. Today’s fans will settle for nothing less. But creating a successful eSport program isn’t merely a matter of buying the right games or computer systems — it requires the same degree of pre-planning as any other major live event. Many larger eSports events have utilized existing stadiums and arenas with traditional audio and video distribution systems to satisfy the broadcasting requirement. In this scenario, spectators, viewers and the gaming stations themselves all need to be connected to the same distribution system to provide real-time action for both local and remote viewing.  

“eSports events are typically streamed at 1080p60, although professional events are played offline running frame rates of 120, 144 or even 240 fps. Production teams need to be able to switch between live streams and non-broadcast resolutions without losing quality or interfering with the gamer’s computer system. Latency and packet loss are the biggest concerns when it comes to ensuring fair competition, so it’s vital that a stable environment is maintained for both remote and offline systems.”  

— Dan Holland, SE Sales and Product Marketing, IHSE USA

New and Creative Content Strategies to Engage Fans 

Limitations on crowd sizes and in-person attendance over the past two years have forced broadcasters and live production specialists to find new and creative way to engage fans. Streaming took center stage, but it went beyond streaming content to viewers — fans were also streamed into events to fill empty seats. In addition, some broadcasters have supplemented traditional broadcast and live production cameras with cinema cameras to provide viewers with a wider dynamic range, better low-light performance, and a shallower depth of field.  

“With amplified storytelling tools, cinematic broadcasting and production provides a new way to engage fans and viewers. There are even affordable cameras available today that combine digital film quality and features with traditional broadcast and live production tools to create a best-of-both-worlds solution.” 

— Bob Caniglia, Director of Sales Operations, Americas, Blackmagic Design

The Democratization of Online Content 

The creative video revolution is being driven by affordable, accessible tools that allow any content creator to deliver high-quality, professional video projects. Furthermore, with the proliferation of streaming platforms, social media sites and technologies that enable 24/7 viewing, there are endless ways for content creators to connect with their audiences.  

“Now more than ever, online content creators can bypass some of the barriers that previously prevented them from delivering high-quality content, and the best news is that we all get to benefit from it and enjoy some of today’s most creative voices.”  

— Bob Caniglia, Director of Sales Operations, Americas, Blackmagic Design

Changing In-Vehicle Listening Habits and How Traditional Radio Is Responding 

“Radio continues to be the preferred in-car listening medium for consumers, but the competition is aggressive and well-funded. Radio needs to step up its game by ensuring its content is as engaging and as appealing to consumers as their other digital options.

— Joe D’Angelo, SVP Global Radio and Digital Audio, Xperi 

Leveraging an expanding array of tools to offer engaging, appealing content, connected radio is well positioned to compete in terms of both visual and personalized radio content delivery. 

NAB Show is a can’t-miss opportunity for any professional who wants to learn more about these trends and the future of the broadcast, media and entertainment industries. Nowhere else will you find all of the people, technologies and products essential to moving your business forward in a dynamic and quickly changing landscape. Join the conversation at the 2022 NAB Show and discover next steps for your organization. 

Are you interested in contributing ideas, suggestions or opinions? We’d love to hear from you. Email us here.