John Maxwell Hobbs

The IBC2024 Accelerator Programme continues to revolutionise live event production with its latest initiatives aimed at leveraging cutting-edge technology to overcome challenges in the broadcasting industry. Building on the successes of previous years, the Connect and Produce Anywhere, Phase II project focuses on enhancing production capabilities through innovative uses of cloud and edge computing, ensuring high-quality output even under varying connectivity conditions.

The combination of Unreal Engine and LED volume stages has taken virtual production to another level, but have skillsets kept pace? IBC365 learns more about the UK’s first dedicated certificate in virtual production.

Advances in how 3D spaces and objects are captured to create immersive, interactive content are helping redefine how stories are told and experienced. Integrating volumetric capture into mainstream media however requires a new set of skills, blending creative storytelling with advanced technical knowledge.

Can ML-powered ad-targeting solutions offer notable advantages over current algorithm-based systems? John Maxwell Hobbs reports.

Sony Music recently sent a letter to hundreds of AI companies demanding to know if they had used their music for training or scraping, and that this represented copyright infringement. While some AI developers are happy to embrace the current Wild West landscape of AI regulation, others have employed responsible best practices from the outset, often being met with resistance from investors and other third parties who insist they will be left behind. IBC365 speaks to one developer advocating the implementation of fair principles from the start.

Is GenAI even capable of producing a long-form masterpiece and at what point does something become an AI original that deserves copyright protection? IBC365 delves deeper into the key ethical debates surrounding GenAI and media production.

The advent of cloud computing technologies means the broadcast industry is currently undergoing a seismic shift. This transition from traditional hardware-based setups to complex IT-centric systems is fundamentally altering the landscape of media production. Industry veterans Stuart Ray, the Head of Skills and Development at The IABM and Damon Neale, the Managing Director of consulting firm Mediate Solutions highlight the urgent need for a revamped approach to training and development within the industry.

IT-based broadcasting is continually evolving and engineers face new challenges in key growth areas such as IP-based production and cybersecurity. John Maxwell Hobbs breaks down the resources at hand to help broadcast engineers stay on top of their game.

Over-the-top services and streaming platforms have significantly changed the way we consume content, offering a wide array of entertainment and media directly over the internet. With this transformation, a major concern has emerged: transparency on the way that user data is used for Dynamic Ad Insertion. John Maxwell Hobbs reports.

Having been successfully deployed for key live events and reality shows, 5G production has proven its mettle for the big stage. John Maxwell Hobbs explores how its wider adoption is set to transform the broadcasting landscape.