
By Stuart Almond, head of marketing and communications, Sony Professional, Europe
Author:
ContributorPublish date:
Dec 20, 2018
2019 is going to be a transformative year and this transformation is a direct reflection of how current trends are reshaping our industry. However, you don't need me to tell you what you already know; yes, the media landscape is changing. But in the last year, we've not seen industry predictions change. What we've seen is the speed of that change accelerate.
The significance of traditional TV is decreasing as consumers are starting to favour on-demand streaming services. SVoD subscriptions have overtaken pay-TV for the first time ever, and nearly 765 million people worldwide are expected to watch content on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. In addition, by the end of this year, the global OTT market is expected to grow by a staggering 24 per cent. The appetite for OTT services has clearly exploded.
And disruption continues as viewing habits of modern audiences continue to change. Globally, about 20 per cent of content viewed on Netflix is currently accessed through mobile devices, with 20-25 per cent of that viewing happening across mobile networks. And with 5G networks just around the corner, these numbers are only going increase.
But swim up the supply chain and there you will find a big difference as 4K production has become the de facto industry standard, as more and more consumers are demanding 4K content in their own homes. In fact, the Worldwide TV Market Report from Futuresource Consulting highlights 4K UHD TV sets will ship over 80 million this year alone, whilst high dynamic range is present in 60 per cent of those. Content will remain king, with rights owners taking back more control.
So where do we go in 2019?
1. Deeper audience engagement / Consumer-driven change
Mixed reality will continue to be a big area of exploration for content providers as they look to engage audiences at a deeper level especially around live content. The VR market is quickly transforming into an entertainment and productivity platform, and when we look at the introduction of mixed reality in this last year, we can see why the fastest growing revenue segments will be VR and OTT.
In 2018 we've helped customers achieve deeper audience engagement through second screen services; for example, Sony helped Sky and the BBC connect with their audiences in a much deeper way, delivering live sports through VR with PlayStation VR. The success of this shows the demand for unique and personal experiences will continue.
2. Content is emperor! / A rethink of commercial models
As 4K HDR content becomes a demanded de facto benchmark in people's homes, the width and breadth of quality content will continue to grow. Access to technology that will allow for big budget content in an agile and cost-effective way will open new market players and strengthen partnerships like the Netflix Post Technology Alliance Program which Sony is already proud to be part of.
At the same time, when this is mixed with a change in consumption platforms we will see more non-traditional brands creating content to engage the same audiences that M&E companies are after, meaning the future of content control will sit with the rights owners more so than the traditional commissioning/buying supplier.
3. Streaming services 2.0 / Connected devices and IoT in M&E
With the signs of early introduction of 5G and the move of an industry that will depend on virtualised production and streaming services, mobile connectivity changes what's possible in terms of the experiences faster broadband will facilitate. And in response, we will see a boom in services offered in this space!
As a rapid growth area now that cloud services and opex models become clear advantages for production speed, cost efficiency and audience reach, more and more productions will benefit from decentralised curation as content can be created, shared, collaborated on, and published from anywhere, anytime. This means teams will be free to work in a more decentralised way, creating advantages, specifically in news production, allowing for more field-based journalism. This will reinstate traditional news providers with the ability to produce and quickly deliver content from wherever it's happening, supporting the integrity of the brand in the age of fake news'.
4. Data. Data. Data - and the acceleration of AI
As PwC predicts data traffic levels will grow by 22.3 per cent reaching 398 trillion megabytes in 2022, we know that the amount of data produced is going to drive even more insights about audiences, consumption, content and production methodologies. However, the key, and maybe obvious prediction, will be the continued acceleration of how this data will feed more AI adoption across the industry in 2019.
2019 will see the increased use of AI in the content creation side of the supply chain, not only automating more processes and workflows, but used in acquisition and pre-post production to both speed up delivery time across multiple platforms and pre-create content for a desired audience data preference.
5. Knowledge economy / The skills cliff edge is coming!
Finally, 2019 will see the need for knowledge, as a whole range of new roles are required across the industry. The desire for broadcast engineers who understand IT as well as video over IP, who understand digital distribution, who understand multi-platform audiences, is the utopia role many are seeking.
As the industry continues to transition in 2019, associations, bodies and partnerships to not only define standards, but collaborate on knowledge, will be essential. Individual content and media organisations will be looking for partners to consult, support and, very honestly, go on this journey with them together. It's a transformative ho
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Shotoku Introduces the World to Aura P2 PTZ Prompter Panner at NAB 2026
New system removes PTZ pan restrictions for teleprompter-based productions
Shotoku US...
14/04/2026
Integration of Vantage, Pulse, and Telestream UP with Grass Valley AMPP Ecosystem enables scalable, interoperable workflows spanning live production and file-ba...
14/04/2026
Enterprise growth leader to scale Dalet's next phase of innovation and global expansion
New York, NY April 14, 2026 Dalet, a leading technology and ser...
14/04/2026
Berklee Celebrates Prince's Legacy in Two-Night Signature Series Event Directed by Tia Fuller, the Prince Project (April 16-17) brings together more than ...
14/04/2026
Arooj Aftab Is Anything but Predictable The singular artist explores the juxtaposition of grief and joy, dark and light, in her distinctive sound.
April 14, ...
14/04/2026
Appear launches include XM estate management and new X Platform processing enhancements to add density for next-generation hybrid & IP workflows, X5 is also now...
14/04/2026
Addressing the needs of a new generation's viewing habits, Synamedia launches GO Shorts. The AI-powered module turns existing catalogues into TikTok-style ...
14/04/2026
Vubiquity, an Amdocs company and global leader in technology-led media services, will be showcasing a new end-to-end streaming solution in collaboration with El...
14/04/2026
LiveU today announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with Sony Corporation, introducing integrated support for Sony's file-based workflow solu...
14/04/2026
Open Broadcast Systems (https://www.obe.tv/) has announced that BBC World Service has selected its decoders for IP Television distribution. The high-quality, lo...
14/04/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces DaVinci Resolve 21
Brie Clayton April 14, 2026
0 Comments
Major update adds new Photo page bringing Hollywood's most a...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/04/2026
Wowza will return to NAB Show 2026 with a set of live demonstrations focused on how video infrastructure is evolving for a new generation of AI-powered and oper...
14/04/2026
Stegawave Debuts Real-Time Forensic Watermarking to Tackle Piracy in Live Sports...
14/04/2026
Living in Boston: A Guide for Incoming Boston Conservatory Students From navigating the T to balancing school with professional gigs, a current student shar...
14/04/2026
Just What Is Genre These Days, Anyway? Understanding the business and art of genre-bending in 2026.
April 13, 2026
By
Bryan Parys
Illustration by Jack Fla...
14/04/2026
Lenora Helm Hammonds Is Turning Passion Into Plan A The dean of the Professional Education Division has seen the industry from all sides. Now shes bringing it...
14/04/2026
How Michelle Zalabak Found Her Dream Career in Music and Finance The Warner Music Group deal analysis manager helps determine what artist catalogs are worth a...
14/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 14, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, today annou...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Composition Builder 2026 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:live pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-ti...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:play pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and U...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr live:cut 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...
13/04/2026
Telos Alliance has announced that J nger Audio has joined the EBU ADM Implementers Group (ADM-IG) as a founding member. The group is focused on advancing ADM an...
13/04/2026
Grass Valley will demonstrate its Alliance Partner ecosystem at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C2408, Central Hall, April 19-22), showing AMPP integrations across live pr...
13/04/2026
Media Links will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W2033), demonstrating IP transport solutions for live production including hitless protection technology, Xscen...
13/04/2026
NBC Sports has announced a programming, distribution, and sales partnership with...
13/04/2026
FloSports has promoted Chief Operating Officer Jayar Donlan to President, effective immediately. In his new role, Donlan will lead the company's commercial,...
13/04/2026
PanCam Pictures, the documentary production company founded by Paul Camarata, us...
13/04/2026
Mimir will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (North Hall, Booth N2850), demonstrating its cloud-native media production platform with new capabilities including Mimir Cu...
13/04/2026
BBright has announced that its IP Gateway now supports the Reliable Internet Stream Transport (RIST) protocol. The addition will be introduced at NAB Show 2026 ...
13/04/2026
Net Insight has been awarded a development project through the European Space Agency's Navigation Innovation and Support Program (NAVISP), with co-funding f...
13/04/2026
intoPIX will exhibit at NAB Show 2026, marking the company's 20th anniversary. The company will demonstrate its JPEG XS compression portfolio and IPMX-appro...