Much has been reported in recent weeks about the dangers of generative AI systems, especially with their potential to create fake news. But could we be witnessing televisions greatest moment?

In my view, there has never been a more exciting time to be working in broadcast television. IP is roaring ahead, and SDI is demonstrating a massive resurgence. Audio is coming into its own with object processing, and HDR is redefining how we shoot programs. And then there’s AI.

Broadcast standards have stood the test of time and served us well. But are we now in a position where transport stream standards are running the risk of inhibiting innovation? Is there a better way?

Working from home has given many the opportunity to upskill and improve their knowledge of the countless advances in broadcast television. But the key challenge is knowing where to start with your learning. Many vendors provide excellent white papers and high-quality sources of information, but it’s often difficult to cut through the marketing hype to understand what we need to know, and more importantly, why.

NAB2021 has announced their convention will take place in October, placing it before the rescheduled IBC 2021 - now we have two international exhibitions taking place within months of each other. So, what does this mean for vendors and visitors? Are we seeing the dawn of a new format of tradeshow?

One of the justifications I often hear for vendors attending tradeshows is that they give their R&D department a target to deliver to. If this is true, and now that NAB and IBC will be in adjacent months in 2021, are we really expecting vendors to only deliver new products and features once a year?

As more products are moving to software, do we really need to be providing technology demonstrations at tradeshows? Especially as most software products can be demonstrated from the comfort of our desks and hardware can be demonstrated using virtual remote presentations.

With more cancellations than any of us care to think about, do we now have a definitive answer on whether trade shows should go ahead or not? Have virtualized events really taken over and are they the future?

5G is starting to make some real noise in the broadcast industry but delivering the promised gains is more than just about RF bandwidth.

For me, this year’s IBC was the most optimistic show I’ve been to for some time. I wouldn’t go as far as saying the corridors were awash with cash, but I certainly detected an air of confidence I hadn’t experienced for many years.