2 EDITORIAL

To say that we are living in a digital world is plainly stating the obvious . Digital technologies , while enhancing the way we work and play , have been unleashing wave after wave of disruptions across many industries .

For the broadcast and media industries , a new age of ‘ broadbanding ’ has arrived , declared Gerd Leonhard , futurist , advisor , author and filmmaker .

Dubbed as “ one of the leading media futurists in the world ”, Leonhard presented a ‘ Visionary Address ’ at last month ’ s BroadcastAsia2016 and CommunicAsia2016 .

As the convergence of broadband and traditional broadcasting continues to gain pace , the idea of being able to control consumer behaviour is ending , he cautioned . With bandwidth penetration becoming more prevalent , more and more people will be connected to the Internet , which is growing exponentially as a platform to consume over-the-top , on-demand content .

The onus , then , is on broadcasters to re-think strategies and revamp approaches not only on how they engage with their audiences , but also on how to offer content catered to these viewers ’ specific needs .

Or , as Leonhard advised , stay ahead of the niche , and not the mass market .

Leonhard ’ s concept of ‘ broadbanding ’ also brings the transition to IP into sharp focus once again . At BroadcastAsia2016 , one of the key discussion points , and prominently displayed on the show floors through a range of high-profile solutions , was undeniably IP . Should this also be interpreted as an indication that broadcasters in Asia are truly ready to embrace IP ?

Get on with your business plans for IP , but keep your SDI systems in place , attendees at the APB ConneXxion Forum 2016 were told .

Based on the theme of “ Empowering Broadcasters to Embrace IP ”, this year ’ s APB forum discussed how the transition to IP is already under way , with multi-screen delivery a key part of

broadcasters ’ portfolio today .

The main discussion point surrounding IP now , reminded Stan Moote , CTO of the IABM , is centred around in-plant infrastructures and whether broadcasters are ready to replace or change existing baseband infrastructures .

Moving forward , many broadcast / network functions will be virtualised and software-defined networks are likely to be the norm . However , from a broadcast standpoint , the industry will be hardpressed to take the risk of going all-IP now , said Mock Pack Lum , CTO of Singapore telecom and pay-TV operator StarHub .

Clearly , there are lingering issues , such as costs and interoperability , that need to be addressed before broadcast IP can be fully embraced . Many broadcast engineers are also not used to working in virtualised or pure IT environments , and the industry , as a whole , arguably do not yet have a firm grasp on how to effectively build up robust and cost-efficient IP systems .

However , this should not deter broadcasters from planning a transition path to IP — one with the least technical and financial risks , and which is best catered to their own needs .

Within that framework , the continued existence of SDI is arguably non-negotiable , as a hybrid approach of SDI and IP remains the best bet for broadcasters today .

To find out more about what was discussed at the APB ConneXxion Forum 2016 , be sure to grab your copy of the special report that is available with this month ’ s APB issue . In the process , you might well gain more insights into how you can begin to disrupt yourself and embrace IP .

SHAWN LIEW MANAGING EDITOR

July 2016 ( volume 33 issue 6 )

EDITORIAL managing editor Shawn Liew , shawn @ editecintl . com contributing editor Millette Manalo-Burgos , millette @ editecintl . com contributing editor ( technology ) Karl K Rossiter , karl @ editecintl . com reporter Josephine Tan

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