By Benjamin Pearson Published On: September 26, 2024 - Categories: Blog Industry Insights Live Streaming Opinion

As a Product Manager deeply invested in the evolving world of streaming, I had the privilege of attending IBC 2024 in Amsterdam with StreamAMG. The event provided a fascinating glimpse into the future of our industry, with groundbreaking advancements that are set to reshape how we deliver content to global audiences.

One of the most compelling takeaways from IBC was the ever-increasing power of AI. Automation is breaking new ground, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in content creation and delivery. A standout development was AI-powered captioning. These systems have grown more sophisticated, now able to translate and generate subtitles in real time—crucially, with custom dictionaries for unique names or industry-specific terms. For example, sports terminology like “being in the pocket” in NFL games can now be seamlessly integrated, improving localisation and engagement.

Localisation itself was a significant theme throughout IBC. AI-driven digital dubbing tools are making it easier than ever to provide customised, seamless experiences for international viewers. These tools not only translate subtitles but also incorporate custom voice models, ensuring content resonates with audiences no matter their language or region. This personalised touch can deeply enhance the viewing experience, helping content feel more relevant and engaging for diverse global audiences. However, discussions also touched on concerns about potential misuse, with safeguards being developed to prevent inappropriate use of AI-generated voices and to avoid errors like "hallucinations" in AI systems. These precautions are critical, especially when handling sport-specific terminology and sensitive content.

Beyond AI, our partners, like Bitmovin, demonstrated exciting innovations, such as a working model of their web multi-view player. This feature has the potential to revolutionise how fans interact with live content, giving them more control over their viewing experience. Additionally, the ability to create real-time short-form highlights from longer streams is gaining traction, enabling federations and broadcasters to offer more dynamic and engaging content.

Attending IBC 2024 underscored the key trends shaping the future of streaming—AI automation, enhanced localisation, and real-time personalisation. The next generation of AI-powered tools, from real-time captioning to custom voice models, is transforming how we produce and deliver content. As these technologies continue to evolve, they’ll empower us to engage audiences more effectively, offering personalised, localised experiences at scale.

With these developments from our partners and new trends on the horizon, the future of live streaming promises to be even more dynamic and personalised, creating richer experiences for viewers around the world.

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