Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse, 5G…Seven major technological trends of 2023 in broadcasting

Internet live streaming celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023, while the once revolutionary TV broadcasting is set to mark its centennial. Television has long ago passed the torch to Internet streaming that has bypassed it in terms of viewer numbers. We spend our leisure time watching Netflix series, Youtube blogs, and Instagram live videos. Video conferencing tools like Zoom have revolutionized the way we conduct business and communicate with friends and colleagues.

On April 15-19, 2023, the subject of Internet broadcasting brought together more than 60,000 participants at the 100th NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in Las Vegas. 

Based on the results of NAB Show, we present the hottest streaming trends of 2023:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI has made a significant contribution to boosting the viewing experience. AI-powered content recommendation engines personalize the viewing experience for users and improve audience engagement, thus increasing viewer retention.

AI can also be used for content creation and distribution. For instance, some linear broadcasting companies like Defiance Media are already producing AI-generated news content, while DeepBrain's AI Studios and D-ID's Speaking Portrait automate the creation of talking head videos for training, personalized messages to customers, product marketing materials, and more.

AI can also be used in internet broadcasting for video translation and dubbing. The Ukrainian-founded service Vidby, which provides translation and dubbing of videos into 75 languages, is an example of such an application.

2. Cloud technology

By leveraging the power of the cloud, broadcasters can enjoy many advantages, such as reducing costs, increasing flexibility, and improving scalability.

One of the primary benefits of cloud technology is its ability to provide on-demand access to computing resources, thus enabling broadcasters to quickly and easily scale up or down as needed. This makes it possible to handle surges in demand, such as during live-broadcast events, without investing in expensive hardware and infrastructure.

3. Metaverse

Metaverse is a virtual space with multiple digital worlds, allowing users to travel and communicate regardless of physical distances.

Metaverse is already used in broadcasting to provide viewers with a more immersive and interactive experience, giving new forms of storytelling, advertising opportunities, and new forms of engagement with the viewers. Broadcasting companies will benefit from integrating metaverse technologies to create virtual events and conferences available to users worldwide.

This metaworld has great potential to revolutionize how we consume and interact with content. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more forms of integration in broadcasting.

4. Nextgen TV

NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0, is the latest generation of digital TV broadcasting technology designed to improve the quality, interactivity, and versatility of television broadcasting.

Compared to the previous broadcasting standards, NextGen TV supports 4K Ultra HD resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), and immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos. While utilizing this technology, broadcasters can offer their clients interactive, personalized content, including targeted advertising, program-related information, and real-time emergency alerts.

NextGen TV also offers improved signal reception and coverage, allowing broadcasters to expand their viewership through competitive quality content.

5. Free Ad-Supported TV

This year, we are also seeing a return to the free ad-supported (FAST) TV model. This combination of streaming and traditional linear broadcasting delivers content to viewers at no cost, while the broadcasters can monetize their programming with commercials.

With so many platforms vying for our attention (and wallet), viewers in developed countries are no longer ready to pay for ten different services.

6. 5G in broadcasting

5G is set to revolutionize internet broadcasting by offering faster and more reliable connectivity. The fifth-generation technology standard promises faster download and upload speeds, which means that users can stream high-quality video content without buffering or interruptions.

With 5G, more devices can be linked to the network concurrently without affecting the speed or quality of the connection. This means more users can access the same content simultaneously without experiencing video lagging or delays.

7. Green production practices

Environmental protection may not be the first thing that comes to mind when the topic of internet broadcasting is raised, but technology does contribute to our common carbon footprint.

Broadcasters around the world are adopting green production practices. This involves using energy-efficient equipment, minimizing waste, and reducing carbon emissions during the production process. One example is studios using LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient than traditional, to reduce their environmental impact.

Broadcasters also invest in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar electricity production, to power their operations. Many studios and facilities are incorporating energy-efficient building design and green technologies, such as energy-efficient HVAC systems, to reduce their energy consumption.

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Some of these trends might seem like a long shot now, but for the broadcasters whose sights are set on next-decade growth, understanding and utilizing them is going to be clear must to succeed.

Denys Krasnikov