The NAB Show brings together the world’s best across Broadcast, Media and Entertainment. to collectively address (dare we say it) antiquated outlooks and showcase new innovation that redefines content, workflows and even revenue streams.
Introducing the M.E.T (Media.Entertainment.Technology) effect…
Whilst sounding like something out of ET, the M.E.T effect is considered a cultural phenomenon. Sure, it’s media centric so there’s always an element of dramatisation. After all it makes for good audience content, right?
However, through the evident permeation of digital disruption, the media and entertainment industry, locally and internationally, are now more than ever having to respond to the growth of hybrid solutions across platforms and workflows to stay in the game. To stay relevant! Added to this dichotomy is the boundless connectivity options revolutionising speeds of engagement and quality of output.
The M.E.T effect is said to redefine the industry’s digital ecosystem. From a professional (technological) standpoint and personal upbringing in the media (that’s our CEO we’re referring too), perhaps allows one to be somewhat sceptical of new phenomena’s.
Working with media houses and servicing media customers, ASE has seen the following three key areas of change to be most significant, based on insights @NABshow.
These include:
- 1. Shift towards IP (cloud) based connectivity. Hello open source…
Whether it be on premise, in cloud or a hybrid solution, the transition to internet protocol (IP) standards has seen a disintegration of many propriety media platforms, workflow tools and vendor engagements. On the upside, the IP movement has seen enhanced flexibility, more efficiency and smarter integration of people and tool sets. Legacy investment, lack of understanding and resistance to change has caused pain as well. Those media organisations that have seen success through adoption, often attribute this to diligent internal evaluation and clear roadmaps to digital migration.
- 2. More data. Higher quality output. Faster. More space needed…HELP.
Help is here – it’s called cloud. With audience behaviour now driving content creation and curation. Technology is the enabler of this trend. As a result, audiences are influencing through expectation, the need for media to produce more enriched content at a faster pace. Not so good for media, as this trend has seen a significant increase in data management (storage and file sharing) challenges. Costs, security and accessibility toping the key pain points. For those real-time media content houses the once linear approach to framed data is fast becoming (if not already) legacy. Cloud based file storage (or more enhanced object storage) is allowing faster delivery of raw content for high speed post production.
Success in the cloud when working with data and workflow (yes, open to opinion) often takes place when an agnostic approach is implemented. This avoids vendor restraints and enables access and integration across a variety of clouds and tools. Why have one when you can have choice?
- 3. The rise of AI and Intelligent Data. Could this be life impersonating fiction?
Providing a high quality consumer experience occurs when broadcasters, not only meet the expectations of their audiences but really understand the drivers and intensions of consumers, preferably staying one step ahead. Those that succeed understand that data as content is useful. Data as intelligence is powerful. Organisations within M&E, who are embracing the full diversity of data management are fast becoming industry leading businesses, when it comes to engaging with audiences. Harnessing data not only to personalise but also to predict future consumption patterns and recommend accordingly. Digital ecosystems are no longer just machines that optimize repetitive processes, but systems which improve upon usage. With the infusion of social media and more recently AI capability, media companies now have the ability to harness the power of predicative analytics, often an unused by product of data. Now used to optimize daily tasks or even predict potential content that consumers will want – yes in the near future.
Back to the M.E.T effect. Whether a phenomenon or not one thing was clear @NABShow 2017. Change is taking place within the media and broadcast industry at an unprecedented rate. Connectivity, media and technology will see further integration – enabling new channels of distribution and storytelling to come together in exciting new ways.
