Kiswe's Head of Europe Jorre Belpaire Recaps Key Takeaways From IBC

Kiswe’s head of Europe Jorre Belpaire discussed with IBC about how real-time conversations during live broadcasts are essential in connecting with digital audiences. Read the full article over on the website.

What do you think are the key developments in, or threats to, your market sector at the current time?

The industry is witnessing trends where linear TV is under pressure due to shifts in consumer behavior and efficiencies in digital video. Younger audiences are spending more time on social and OTT services due to their accessibility on mobile devices. OTT also has the ability to serve customized content which leads to increased engagement and revenue opportunities. With broadcast TV, personalization is much more difficult to provide via traditional workflows due to the cost and scale of its operations. Thus, broadcasters need to find innovative methods of producing and distributing content in order to stay relevant--especially as OTT players are able to quickly diversify into categories like live sports.

What are the major technology drivers for your business going forward?

Cloud technology will be a major component of propelling our business as it gives broadcasters the ability to scale efficiently at reduced costs. With remote production capabilities, we can also unlock important features like personalization to reach digital audiences, building a bridge between linear TV and online video.  

Can you briefly outline one of your latest product launches or developments?

We have developed CloudCast, which is a live, cloud-based remote production and commentary platform allowing broadcasters to super-serve content to multiple audiences. By giving the stage to remote commentators and influencers, international audiences and unique communities can watch live events and games in a new and exciting way. An essential element in connecting with digital audiences is the creation of two-way communication experiences where they can be part of the storytelling and interact with others, as opposed to passively watching. We also provide tools that enable dynamic graphics, the use of archived content or live highlights, and integrations with Twitter to include real-time conversations. Broadcasters can choose to stream on Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, or on their own website or app, increasing views at scale.

What are your own observations of IBC 2019 in terms of what it suggests about new technologies and business trends?

IBC 2019 certainly focused on emerging trends in digital media, with the need for broadcasters to embrace technology to accommodate changing viewer habits. I see remote (cloud) production and personalization as key trends that will allow the industry to stay competitive and reach more audiences in an efficient way. Additionally, an increase in 5G will drive mobile consumption, making personalization and interactivity even more important and relevant to keep engaging consumers.