IBC2025 opens its doors today, with a programme designed to set the tone for four days of innovation, networking and industry insight at the RAI in Amsterdam. From executive briefings and technical papers to YouTube’s collaboration with broadcasters and a new Future Tech stage, SVG Europe takes a look at some of the must-attend sessions and other features.

IABM Industry Impact Briefing

• Time/Location: 09:15–10:15, Conference Room 1

• Focus: An executive’s guide to trends and technologies shaping broadcast media.

• Highlights:

  • First access to IABM’s State of MediaTech report.

  • Conversations with influential media buyers and vendors.

  • Moderated by Chris Evans and Purminder Gandhu.

  • Speakers: Gareth Gordon (QTV), Nicola Cogotti (Alpha Cogs), Stef Lone (AWS).

CTO Roundtable: Unlocking Potential

• Time/Location: 10:30–11:30, Conference Room 1

• Theme: How broadcasters are embracing AI, generative AI, and sustainable, intelligent systems.

• Speakers: Avi Saxena (Warner Bros. Discovery), Simon Farnsworth (ITV), moderated by Maria Ingold (mireality).

YouTube and Broadcasters: Better Together

• Time/Location: 12:00–12:30, Conference Room 1

• Focus: Collaboration between YouTube and broadcasters to reach living-room audiences.

• Speakers: Pedro Pina (YouTube VP for EMEA) and Grace Boswood (Channel 4).

The Future of Media Streaming Ecosystems

• Time/Location: 14:00–14:45, Content Everywhere Hall 4 Stage

• Key topics:

  • Short-form video, AI-driven content engines, superapps.

  • Next-generation video platform demands.

• Speakers: Brightcove, Tencent Cloud, Zixi.

Live Sports at Scale

• Time/Location: 15:00–15:45, Conference Room 1

• Discussion: Forecasting, encoding, packaging and delivery challenges for premium live sports.

• Speakers: BT, NBCUniversal, TelevisaUnivision, JioStar, moderated by SVG’s Ken Kerschbaumer.

The Business of TV and Smart OS Competition

• Time/Location: 16:45–17:30, Conference Room 1

• Theme: How broadcasters and streaming platforms gain visibility as smart TV OS control grows.

• Speakers: Vodafone, Rakuten TV, Roku, The Trade Desk.

Europe’s Streaming Future

• Time/Location: 17:00–17:45, Content Everywhere Hall 5 Stage

• Focus: Innovation in FAST, AVOD, content and advertising.

• Speakers: OKAST.TV, Bedrock Streaming, MainStreaming, FAST4EU consortium research.

Technical Papers: Sport – AI, AR and 5G

• Time/Location: 11:00–12:30, Technical Papers Room

• Research highlights:

  • AI graphics assistant at Paris 2024 Olympics.

  • Private 5G networks with LEO satellite for 2025 World University Winter Games.

  • AI/AR pipeline for dynamic cycling coverage.

• Speakers: Giulio Stante (RAI), Haein Jeong & Seongwoo Choi (KBS), Steven Verstockt (Ghent University imec IDLab).

Private 5G in Live Sports Production

• Time/Location: 14:15–15:00, Conference Room 1

• Speakers: Brad Cheney (Fox Sports), Jake Kornblatt (Verizon Business), moderated by Mary Ann Halford.

Future Tech Stage Debut

A brand-new feature in Hall 14, Future Tech will host free-to-attend sessions and exhibits from Microsoft, Google, AWS, Mo-Sys, CaptionHub, Deepdub, Tata Communications and more.

• Behind the Partnership: Microsoft & Premier League

  • Time: 11:45–12:15

  • Speakers: Simon Crownshaw (Microsoft), Alex Willis (Premier League).

  • Focus: How the Premier League Companion app, powered by Microsoft Copilot, delivers a “tailored and engaging experience for football fans around the world.”

• Pushing the Limits: AI Innovation in Live Sports with Formula 1

  • Time: 13:45

  • Focus: F1 TV Premium’s new streaming service on AWS Media Services, with live 4K Ultra HD/HDR across multiple devices.

  • Speakers: Chris Blandy (AWS), Ruth Buscombe (Formula 1), Sepi Motamedi (NVIDIA).

Looking Ahead: Race 4 The Future Charity Run

Registration has now closed, but for those who have already registered, don’t forget tomorrow morning (Saturday 13 September) the Race 4 The Future charity run/walk takes place at 07:30am, starting and finishing at the RAI.

• Organised by Rise Academy to support young people in media technology.

• Revived in honour of Sam Blackman, AWS Elemental co-founder.

• More info: https://www.rise-academy.live/race-4-the-future/