
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it comes to ad insertion. It also demonstrates a disconnect between sustainability efforts and cost implications.
Key Challenges and Opportunities from the Report
This year's Video Developer Report saw advertising (15%) remain the top opportunity for innovation. However, ad insertion also remained the top challenge, cited by 38% of respondents. The research also showed that the number of respondents using the advertising/AVOD business model has grown to 69%, up from 56%. Additionally, the number of respondents using the FAST business model is 46%, up from 39%.
Regarding advertising technologies, Client-Side Ad Insertion just merged as the top choice, cited by 64% of respondents. Server-Side Ad Insertion is a close second and used by 63% of respondents. Dynamic Ad Insertion was the third favorite (25%) and Server-Guided Ad Insertion was fourth (21%).
The second biggest challenge for respondents remains controlling costs (31%) which reflects the ongoing macroeconomic conditions; the third challenge is playback on all devices (29%).
Since our first report in 2017, the streaming industry has undergone a massive transformation. This year's findings show the industry's continued focus on being able to monetize content effectively to support growth, said Stefan Lederer, CEO and co-founder of Bitmovin, However, the fact that ad insertion is the top challenge for the industry reflects the ongoing technical challenges with ad insertion. The industry needs to solve them if it wants to maximize the benefits of ad-based revenue models.
A Mixed Response to Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
ML and AI is the driving force behind a number of innovations in the media and entertainment technology industry. Almost a third (28%) stated that audio transcription and speech-to-text are where they will be using AI tools to improve customer experiences. This is followed by tagging and categorizing video (13%) and personalization (8%). However, the number of respondents saying they have no plans to use ML and AI is 9%, up from 6%.
Sustainability vs. Cost Pressures
The findings from the Video Developer Report present a clear tension between company's understanding of the importance of sustainability and economic realities. 70% of respondents indicated that sustainability is not a business priority due to cost concerns, this is up from 40%. On the other hand, almost a third of respondents (28%) said that sustainability is a high priority even if it means paying a little more, while 2% stated green streaming a top priority, regardless of costs compared to 6% previously.
Stefan Lederer added: ML and AI, and sustainability have been huge topics in video streaming over the past couple of years. However, while ML and AI has translated into innovations and adoption, sustainability seems to be falling down the industry's agenda. It's disappointing, but it also reflects the economic landscape we're operating in where companies are focusing on topics like monetization and ML and AI, which they believe will positively impact their bottom line.
Slow but Steady Adoption of Next-Gen Codecs
H.264/AVC remains the dominant codec (80%), followed by H.265/HEVC (49%), and VP9 (13%) and AV1 (13%). AV1 is the top codec for planned adoption in the coming 12 months (32%) but the findings reflect there's a general lag between the industry's plans and the implementation.
The 8th edition of the annual Video Developer Report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of video streaming, based on data collected from video developers and industry professionals across 34 countries. It offers valuable insights for broadcasters, OTT platforms, and media organizations seeking to stay ahead of industry trends.
The full Bitmovin Video Developer Report 2025 is now available for download.
North America Stories
18/02/2026
Audio quality control (QC) is becoming ever more crucial for Olympic Broadcastin...
18/02/2026
The Olympic Games are not only a showcase of athletic excellence, they are also ...
18/02/2026
Netflix is entering the MMA game with a matchup between two of the biggest names ever to compete on the women's side.
Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix ...
18/02/2026
Grass Valley announces that Network18 Media & Investments Ltd., one of India'...
18/02/2026
Cobalt Digital Inc., a designer and manufacturer of video and audio conversion, ...
18/02/2026
Production is divided between a studio in the mountains and a brand-new studio i...
18/02/2026
At the Winter Games IBC in Milan, NBC Sports and Olympics' director of audio...
18/02/2026
The Women's Alpine events at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center, about a 10-minute drive from Cortina d'Ampezzo, featured some of the most exciting Olympic...
18/02/2026
At the Broadcast Center, 14 audio-control rooms handle the sound in a complex routing and processing regimen
We are exactly where we want to be, Karl Malone,...
18/02/2026
With 300 hours of curling competition in two weeks, it's a safe bet that even the most curling-hungry fan will be satiated. It also requires a production te...
18/02/2026
Always seen as one of the more crazy Olympic events, Bobsleigh is a sport in which athletes must have nerves of steel and pilots must navigate high-tech sleds...
18/02/2026
A typical Winter Olympics day - or should I say evening - inside the Warner Bros...
18/02/2026
The Netherlands has dominated Milan's ice rinks, scooping six speed skating ...
18/02/2026
At the Broadcast Center in Stamford, three discrete intercom systems combine into a centralized infrastructure
Into the second week of Milan Cortina 2026, eigh...
18/02/2026
AI is reshaping operations, capital is scaling ownership, sports are converging with media and entertainment, and venues are evolving into year-round platforms...
18/02/2026
DNA Inc. specializes in crafting next level digital experiences in the Media, St...
18/02/2026
Conflicts have increased, but so have solutions, driven chiefly by pragmatism and the threat of AI music
The only persons on the Figure Skating ice at the 2026...
18/02/2026
Canadian rightsholder deploys its most complex setup at an Olympics ever with ...
18/02/2026
A crew of 1,685 people and 13 control rooms produce nearly every on-air minute f...
18/02/2026
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) underway....
18/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/02/2026
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die in theaters February 2026 Photo courtesy of Graham Bartholomew, SMPSP
James Whitaker, ASC reunited with visionary director G...
18/02/2026
TAG Video Systems has expanded its Media Control System (MCS) version 1.7.0 release with Lens, a visual service health analysis interface that organizes monitor...
18/02/2026
Teradek, a global leader in advanced video transmission technology, today announced the launch of RF-X Auto Switcher, a revolutionary appliance designed to deli...
18/02/2026
Train Dreams. (L-R) Director of Photography Adolpho Veloso and Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier on the set of Train Dreams. Cr. Daniel Schaefer/BBP Train Dreams...
18/02/2026
Cerberus Tech, a leader in cloud-native IP video contribution and distribution, today announced the addition of Akamai Cloud as a supported infrastructure optio...
18/02/2026
Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced that Office de Radio et T l vision des Comores (ORTC), the national public broadcaster for the Comor...
18/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Opens New Office in Mexico CityFrom left to right: Francisco Ramos, Vice President of Content for Latin America; Manola Zabalza, Secre...
18/02/2026
Calibr-Skaggs and Kainomyx launch collaboration to pioneer novel malaria treatments Partnering to speed up the discovery of new malaria drugs that target parasi...
17/02/2026
Eutelsat announces the renewal of multiple capacity agreements with Viewsat, rei...
17/02/2026
At Milano Cortina 2026, one statistic stood out across industry reporting: 70% of global signal distribution is now happening over public cloud. What began as e...
17/02/2026
CP Communications provided broadcast support for Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif. at Levi's Stadium, marking 27 years of working around the Big Game. Th...
17/02/2026
Street-level images of iconic Los Angeles landmarks are incorporated into the regular-season look
With NBC Sports just months into its return to NBA coverage a...
17/02/2026
Sophie Hyde and John Lithgow backstage during the premiere of Jimpa. (Photo by George Pimentel / Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)...
17/02/2026
A Green Beret hangs a 60mm mortar round from a M225A mortar system on a live-fire range. (Photo credit: U.S. Army)...
17/02/2026
Cable Surges 9% on Strength of College Football Playoffs and News, while NFL Delivers Top 15 Broadcast Telecasts
ESPN (+86%) and FOX News Channel (+17%) Combin...
17/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/02/2026
As the FCC explores a potential clawback of Upper C-Band spectrum currently used for broadcast distribution, BCNEXXT is working with broadcasters and operators ...
17/02/2026
Back to All News
Bridgerton High Society Takes Over Madrid
Entertainment
17 February 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
THE CAPITAL WELCOME LUKE TH...
17/02/2026
India is entering a new age of industrialization, as AI transforms how the world...
17/02/2026
Agentic AI is reshaping India's tech industry, delivering leaps in services ...
17/02/2026
India is the nexus of AI innovation this week as the host of the AI Impact Summit, which brings together global heads of state and industry to chart the future ...
17/02/2026
Qube Cinema announces the acquisition of the business of Arts Alliance Media (AA...
17/02/2026
Back to All News
Unveiling What's Next on Netflix for Australia and New Zealand in 2026
Entertainment
17 February 2026
GlobalAustraliaNew Zealand
Link ...