Unleashing the Future of Broadcasting: A Threefold Rewind from NAB 2025
Exhibitor Recap: Review of the NAB Show Event
Catching a breath after the 2025 NAB Show, it's time to dive into some key observations from the event. Remember, my impressions are shaped by a packed schedule, so approach the following thoughts as perspectives shared by one attendee in the sea of 55,000.
Spaceflight to Streaming: A Lunar Transmission Preview
Kicking off with a galactic blast, the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference set the stage with celebrities from the International Space Station, NASA+ management, and broadcast industry titans. Two main takeaways arose from this interstellar collaboration:
- UHD, Moonbound: In the event of Artemis 3, humans returning to the moon mid-2027, high-definition video transmission from the ISS to the Las Vegas Convention Center meeting room was impressive, promising visually stunning footage for viewers across all platforms.
- One Giant challenge for Networks: The 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing saw 650 million viewers globally on their TVs. Fast-forward to the present, with billions tuning in on various platforms, achieving seamless unicast delivery is a challenging endeavor. Fortunately, the pieces of the puzzle to make that happen are gradually falling into place.
Clockwatching for National Security
Mention "GPS" to a stranger, and they'll likely think of a navigation app or car system. However, there's a different side to GPS that's crucial for maintaining the nation's critical infrastructure: accurate time data. The Trump Administration is tackling the question of what happens if the GPS satellites are compromised, and the broadcast industry has an answer.
Introducing the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS): Presented at NAB, it successfully delivered timing data in Las Vegas, on par with GPS, from a TV tower on Black Mountain. What sets BPS apart? Its potential lies in the extensive network of towers and transmitters already in existence across the United States, thanks to the near 1,800 full-power TV stations operating in the nation.
Data Streaming on the Airwaves: A New Era of Big Data Delivery
When we think about big data in broadcasting, we often associate it with AI-driven analytics. However, a new application of big data is emerging, focusing on delivery rather than analysis: datacasting.
During the NAB Show, E.W. Scripps, Gray Media, Nexstar Media Group, and Sinclair discussed their venture, EdgeBeam Wireless. Announced in January, EdgeBeam covers 76% of the U.S., aiming for nationwide coverage as ATSC 1.0 phases out in the coming years. With the transition, the four broadcasters will gain access to approximately 100Mbps for over-the-air delivery of IP data, taken advantage of by data-driven companies like automakers and industrial IoT innovators, marking a new chapter in broadcast revenue streams.
So, that's my take on the NAB 2025 Show. Keep an ear open for other unique perspectives by checking out Simon Hawkings, director of sales strategy at Ross Video, in a recent interview discussing trends that emerged during the show.
Want more insights? Ross Video has shared links to some of its latest publications, including "AI in sports production,", NAB Show introductions and a White Paper titled "Navigating Modern Day Signal Processing."
- The 2025 NAB Show provided key observations about the future of broadcasting, as one attendee experienced a packed schedule filled with industry perspectives.
- Spaceflight and streaming were explored at the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference, where celebrities from the International Space Station previewed high-definition video transmission for a potential lunar mission in 2027.
- Seamless unicast delivery is a significant challenge for networks, aiming to match the viewership numbers of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.
- The Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) was introduced at the NAB Show, leveraging existing TV towers and transmitters to deliver accurate timing data, replacing GPS when it's compromised.
- A new era of big data delivery is emerging, with datacasting focusing on over-the-air IP data transmission, bringing opportunities for data-driven companies like automakers and IoT innovators.
- Several broadcasters, including E.W. Scripps, Gray Media, Nexstar Media Group, and Sinclair, announced their venture, EdgeBeam Wireless, aiming for nationwide coverage as ATSC 1.0 phases out.
- Broadcast technology evolved at the NAB Show, with discussions on AI in sports production, NAB Show introductions, and Modern Day Signal Processing.
- The FCC's role in regulating broadcast technology was hinted at, as the future of high-definition and Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) broadcasting continues to unfold.
- Cloud-based production workflows, satellite transmission, and potential advancements in IP television are areas that warrant continued attention, shaping the future of the media landscape.
