In 2024, the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) has introduced eight pioneering projects as part of its Accelerator Media Innovation Programme.
This initiative fosters collaboration among leading and emerging entities within the global sectors of media, entertainment, and technology. They join forces to devise potential solutions for the most pressing issues facing the industry today. A standout feature of this year’s programme is the inclusion of a “Special Incubator Project,” which seeks to further enhance innovative live production technologies developed in prior years. The programme offers a rapid and flexible structure for initiating and advancing innovation within the media domain, aiming to create practical, hands-on solutions that tackle widespread challenges. The culmination of these efforts will be showcased through Proof of Concepts (POCs) at the dedicated Accelerator Zone and on the Innovation Stage at the IBC2024 event, set to take place at the RAI Amsterdam from September 13th to 16th.
Programme Highlights and Industry Engagement
Mark Smith, the IBC Innovation Lead and Chair of the IBC Council, noted the programme’s significant growth since its inception in 2019, with an unprecedented number of global media players participating this year. The projects pitched have received exceptionally positive feedback, with particular excitement surrounding this year’s focus on critical issues such as sustainability, responsible AI, news verification, and countering disinformation. The programme emphasizes the importance of bringing together innovative minds from media and technology to address and solve the crucial challenges of today and tomorrow.
Project Teams and Collaborative Efforts
The projects and the additional incubator project were selected following the IBC’s Kickstart Day on March 6th at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). Here, potential project Champions and Participants from around the world gathered to present their ideas and discuss potential collaborations. Each project team consists of Champions, media, and entertainment companies eager to guide and utilize the innovations, and Participants, the tech innovators tasked with turning these ideas into reality.
2023 Accelerator Project of the Year
The Responsive Narrative Factory team was honored with the 2023 Accelerator Project of the Year Award for developing a solution that allows for the personalization of narratives in real-time. This solution aims to create multiple versions of content from a single master efficiently and cost-effectively, enabling targeted programming across various demographics and regions.
Overview of the 2024 Selected Projects
The 2024 cycle includes projects focused on environmental sustainability, immersive live performances, IP infrastructure challenges, combating disinformation, control room evolution, digital replica authentication, ultra-low latency streaming, and AI in media production. These projects address a wide range of current challenges from reducing media consumption’s environmental impact to enhancing live production workflows with new technologies.
Special Incubator Project and AI Media Production Lab
The programme features a Special Incubator Project aimed at advancing innovations in environmental monitoring, orchestration, and deployment within an all-IP, edge-first, multi-cloud, multi-software test environment. Additionally, the “AI Media Production Lab” will explore AI applications in content creation, audience engagement, and predictive analysis for live sports and events.
Programme Impact and Legacy
Since 2019, the Accelerator Programme has engaged over 180 organizations, producing POCs for 35 projects. Alumni Champions have spanned across major media, sports, and entertainment companies, addressing a wide array of challenges including 5G, AI, cloud production, and sustainability, among others. This initiative continues to push the boundaries of media and technology innovation, aiming to address and solve critical industry challenges.
