Broadcasting innovation: Greater efficiency will facilitate more diverse content in 2025, says Domo
By Mike Budge, broadcast unit director at Domo Broadcast Systems.
During 2024, sports broadcasting has maintained the inexorable quest to satisfy evolving consumer preferences and embrace technological advancements – all while experiencing a continued squeeze from economic pressures. As we leave 2024, it’s clear this trajectory will continue as new challenges and opportunities present themselves over the coming years.
The shift in content consumption
The dominance of traditional sports broadcasting platforms is waning. Subscription-based and pay-per-view streaming services have taken centre stage, with viewers flocking to platforms that offer flexibility and on-demand options. Part of this shift is the growing prevalence of smaller screens, such as tablets and smartphones. The result? Sports content is increasingly being produced twice: once for the traditional TV experience and then again to optimise for viewing on mobile devices.
This dual-production approach highlights not only a fundamental change in viewer habits, but also the strain that change has on production budgets. Mobile-friendly content requires tighter framing, adjusted graphics, and alternative presentation techniques to captivate viewers on the go. While this adaptability is necessary, it underscores what we see as an industry trend –budgets are being stretched, and the risk of having to compromise on quality seems unavoidable.
Budget pressures
Diversification of viewership has disrupted traditional advertising revenue streams, spreading them thinner across platforms and formats. This financial redistribution has created a stark reality for production teams in which more content has to be created with fewer resources. For many, the solution has been to switch to lower-cost production techniques, which often sacrifices some of the polish that audiences have come to expect.
While this has been a boon for smaller sports and local teams by offering a visibility that would have been impossible a decade ago, it has come at a cost for premium events. The mantra of ‘more for less’ has devolved into ‘the same for less’, squeezing service providers and forcing cutbacks on specialist tools, such as RefCams, advanced graphics packages, and a reduction in slo-mo replay.
Increased accessibility and innovation
Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. Lower-cost production techniques, such as automated wide-angle cameras with ball-tracking software, have made it possible for smaller teams and sports to reach new audiences, connecting fans with content that might otherwise never have been produced. Not only that, but the necessity for budget-friendly innovation has enabled a wave of new creative solutions. From streamlined workflows to automated production tools, the industry is now embracing technologies that were once considered experimental.
The IP revolution
The widespread adoption of IP technologies in broadcast workflows most certainly accelerated during 2024. Moving away from legacy systems, IP-based solutions give the potential of new efficiencies by allowing for the integration of multiple functions on a single robust platform.
This shift has had incredibly noticeable implications for the industry. For example, high-profile events, such as global tournaments or high-stakes championship races, now benefit from streamlined rigging processes and enhanced production flexibility. In 2025, we expect IP technologies to dominate even further, enabling new levels of control and interoperability across a diverse range of live events. From camera control to audio routing – and even gimbal operations – the possibilities are immense. With existing and continued innovations in IP mesh networks, workflows will become more integrated and efficient, securing their place as a cornerstone of the modern sports broadcasting industry.
The year ahead
Looking forward to 2025, we see the sports broadcasting sector facing both challenges and opportunities:
A new balancing act
The most significant industry challenge for 2025 will be finding a sustainable balance between quality and quantity. Consumers have grown accustomed to an abundance of content. However, as resources are stretched, maintaining high production standards for all events is increasingly difficult. The rise of lower-cost solutions is a double-edged sword: while it increases content volume, it also risks diluting the viewing experience for high-profile events.
Streamlined workflows driven by IP adoption
IP technologies will continue to revolutionise broadcast workflows. In 2024, IP-enabled tools demonstrated their potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency by consolidating multiple functions onto a single robust platform.
In 2025, we see broadcasters continuing to accelerate their adoption of these solutions, using them to streamline everything from camera control to graphics generation. This shift will further reduce the need for bulky, resource-intensive setups, allowing for more nimble and cost-effective productions.
The push for ‘smarter’ content creation
With resources stretched thin, broadcasters will invest in smarter, more efficient production tools. Automated systems, AI-powered workflows, and the systems that support them will take on an even larger role, from ball tracking to real-time data overlays. These technologies will help alleviate pressure on production teams while maintaining the quality levels viewers expect.
Adaptation is key
The sports broadcasting industry in 2024 has been defined by adaptability. With streaming platforms leading the charge and smaller screens reshaping how content is consumed, broadcasters have had no choice but to innovate. The growing dominance of IP workflows and the democratisation of content production signal a future where efficiency and accessibility take precedence.
As we look forward to 2025, the industry’s challenges remain substantial, but so too are the opportunities. Broadcasters, armed with smarter modern tools and a willingness to adapt, are set to comfortably traverse the complexities of this evolving broadcast landscape, ensuring that fans everywhere can enjoy the sports they love – no matter the screen or the budget.