NetActuate at IBC 2025: Rolling Update

IBC 2025 opens this week in Amsterdam, bringing together broadcasters, vendors, technologists, and innovators from across the world. It is one of the most important events in our industry, where more than a thousand exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees will gather to showcase technology, exchange ideas, and set the direction for the year ahead.

Earlier this year at NAB I shared my perspective as a first-time attendee with a focus on the infrastructure layer. That experience highlighted how networks, edge computing, and hybrid architectures are becoming central to conversations that used to be only about content creation and delivery. I expect IBC to extend that narrative, especially here in Europe where interoperability, open standards, and operational efficiency are top of mind.

I will be joined by my colleagues Greg Wallace and Mark De Jong. Together we will be engaging with customers, partners, and peers across the show floor, meetings, and networking events. If you would like to connect with us during IBC please reach out through our scheduling link.

Major Themes Shaping IBC

• Efficiency and Cost Control: Broadcasters and platforms are under pressure to deliver more with fewer resources, which makes hybrid cloud, edge, and on-premise deployments top of mind.
• AI in Operations: AI is moving from pilots to production. Real-world use cases now include encoding, ad targeting, captioning, translation, and monitoring.
• Interoperability and Standards: IP-native workflows, NMOS, and open ecosystems are essential to reduce silos and enable flexibility.
• Monetization and Immersive Formats: Hybrid subscription and ad-supported models, FAST channels, and immersive content are opening new paths for revenue.
• Sustainability: Energy efficiency and lower-carbon operations are beginning to influence both infrastructure and vendor roadmaps.

Engaging with the Industry at IBC

Throughout the week we will be joining a wide range of meetings, receptions, and networking events that bring together thought leaders, partners, and innovators.

Thursday

• Bitmovin Innovators Network at the NHOW Hotel
• 5V Video and Faultline Media and Entertainment Mixer at Oche
• Resillion Borrelboot canal networking reception

Friday

• Happy Hours with Varnish Software, Backscreen, Broadpeak, NETINT, NPAW & Medianova, Accedo with AWS and Merapar, and Synamedia with AWS
• Partner gatherings including System73 with Arqiva, Evergent with Irdeto and Ateme, and MediaLab with Unified Streaming
• Evening receptions with Verbit & Wowza at the RAI Beach and Gcore at the InterContinental Amstel

Saturday

• Happy Hours with Varnish Software, Backscreen, MainStreaming, Wowza with EZDRM, and NPAW with 3SS
• Zattoo’s 20th anniversary booth party and Pixit Media’s “Mix it with PixitQ”
• Special gatherings including the EBU 100 Years Drinks, the “Keep the IBC Conversation Flowing” reception, the Meta Meet Up at Tapzuid, and the iKOMG IBC Party

Sunday

• Happy Hours with Varnish Software, MainStreaming, and NPAW
• Networking receptions with BT Media & Broadcast and the DPP with Grass Valley
• Evening gatherings including a VIP canal cruise with G&L, Touchstream, and Norsk, followed by the Axinom IBC Party

Additional Innovations and Highlights

Beyond the networking and partner events, I will also be following:

• New AI-driven innovations from Synamedia, including Quortex Switch for CDN routing
• Ateme’s cloud-native OTT, immersive, and low-latency solutions
• Lawo and ARET’s latest OB trailer technology combining UHD/HDR and IP/SDI hybrid workflows
• Accelerator Zone proof-of-concepts around content provenance, private 5G, cloud-native production, and sustainability
• The IP Showcase on the Water exploring interoperability standards
• Conference sessions featuring leaders from Netflix, YouTube, Disney, TikTok, and Paramount addressing evolving workflows and monetization models

Focus Areas for NetActuate

As CEO of NetActuate my focus is on how infrastructure supports the future of media. At IBC I will be paying attention to several critical areas:

• How AI is being embedded into workflows in ways that solve real problems without introducing new complexity
• Where standards and interoperability are unlocking flexibility for broadcasters and service providers
• How CDN, streaming, and transport vendors are positioning themselves in a cost-conscious environment
• The role of sustainability in shaping infrastructure, particularly energy efficiency and the environmental impact of delivery at scale

IBC offers a unique opportunity to engage with global peers, understand how technology innovation is being applied to real-world challenges, and bring back insights that will shape our roadmap. I look forward to sharing updates throughout the conference and providing a full recap once it concludes.

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