Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

SVG Sit-Down: Grass Valley's Tim Banks on the Next Phase in the Company's History

26/09/2023

SVG Sit-Down: Grass Valley's Tim Banks on the Next Phase in the Company's History The chief revenue officer sees a virtuous cycle of growth and investment' By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 10:20 am

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

Grass Valley's presence at IBC this year signaled a new chapter in the company's history: it has completed a multi-year transition that finds it focused on a new stage of corporate growth. Its AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform) has been a major focus in recent years, but, as Grass Valley Chief Revenue Officer Tim Banks explained to SVG during IBC, the company is still more than happy serving up quality hardware products as well.

Grass Valley's Tim Banks: We've recently made lots of smart organizational changes to deliver great operational efficiencies.

It has been an interesting time for Grass Valley. What was the mood of customers compared with NAB 2023?

The big difference is, at NAB, we were having to explain the context for the business transformation. There've been lots of changes not only in our industry but in any industry and businesses that have been transforming themselves. And the parallels are there when you look at some of the major media and entertainment companies in terms of protecting their core business while capitalizing on the opportunity of new business and new services. Most of the revenue and the margins come from the core business, but most of the growth is coming from the new business. That's where they're looking to invest, but it's not yet profitable.

So, there are still customers here at IBC who are looking for hardware.

Candidly, I think we may have overemphasized the software aspect at NAB. From an engineering perspective, most of our hardware products are made up of ever increasing proportions of software. The switchers have a lot of software. The cameras have a lot of software. The infrastructure products have a lot of software. When we messaged earlier in the year that we were doubling our investment in software, people [questioned whether it was] at the expense of hardware. But that isn't what we said: it was that the hardware that we're delivering is composed more and more of software. That required a change in skillset, resources, processes, and NAB was about explaining that context.

The cool thing about coming to IBC is, we can now say that transformation is complete. The end of June marked the end of Phase 3 of the business transformation since Black Dragon acquired Grass Valley, and all the reorganization, all the operational efficiencies that were needed to be made, are complete.

The history of Grass Valley saw several businesses amassed together, but they were not integrated. We had six business units each with their own P&L and their own management structure. We've recently made lots of smart organizational changes to deliver great operational efficiencies, and, by the end of this year, we'll have hired 400 new hires in the past 24 months into R&D and engineering positions. Those hires will allow us to accelerate our R&D roadmaps and deliver a best-in-class customer experience. For live production, we continue to innovate with our industry-leading solutions, such as the LDX150 and LDX135 camera platforms and the latest generations of K-Frame switcher and Kayenne panel. And we've also been investing heavily in the infrastructure products, like the IP gateways and the multiviewer range. There are lots of clients who want to keep buying their infrastructure from GV. It's what they're used to and what they're confident in and have a huge amount of trust in. Our credibility is based on core principles to lead through innovation and deliver the highest levels of quality and reliability.

One of the things COVID and the supply-chain disruption taught us is that we should take more control of our own destiny. For instance, we've recently made the move to in-source camera manufacturing; previously, the assembly of the PCBs was contracted to a manufacturer in Europe. All the cameras are now manufactured in-house in GV's main manufacturing facility in Montreal. Final assembly and testing will still be in the Breda[, Netherlands] facility, which is where all the R&D is located.

We're now transitioning into GV's next phase of growth and investment, and with that comes the appointment of some new key positions, like Ian Fletcher as CTO. Ian has been in the business for a long time, and I can't think of anyone better to lead the next phase of evangelizing about our vision, our technology strategy, and how we leverage the best agile software-defined architectures to create the future of media.

Also, Adam Marshall has been appointed chief product officer. He comes from a broadcast-operations background as well as solution architecture. He is responsible for the product portfolio in terms of product management and also the marketing function.

Most recently, we've made the appointment of Jon Wilson, who, as of Oct. 1, will be president and COO. He will be a great addition to the leadership team, as will Stephanie Sanchez, who has joined as chief strategy officer. She'll be working closely with Executive Chairman Louis Hernandez and Jon on the planning process for 2024 and our key strategic initiatives.

You mention the next phase. Can you walk me through some rough details of that phase?

There's not an end date on it because it's likely that it'll be a virtuous cycle of growth and investment. The key aspect of that is, the business is surging across the portfolio. For example, we've seen 200% revenue growth for AMPP year over year. We're also going to deliver our strongest revenue since the pandemic for cameras, switchers, and infrastructure as
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/09/26/svg-sit-down-tim-banks-grass-va...
See more stories from svg

North America Stories

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: Appear Announces X5 General Availability, XM Management Tool, and SIx300 Module

Appear ASA (OSE: APR) will announce three additions to its X Platform at NAB Sho...

16/04/2026

CentralCast Deploys Harmonic XOS Media Processor for Public Broadcasting

Harmonic has announced that CentralCast, a centralized master control facility for U.S. public media, has deployed Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor t...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: Encompass Digital Media Integrates Interra Systems BATON into Cloud-Based Altitude Flow Platform

Interra Systems has announced that Encompass Digital Media has integrated its BA...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: Grass Valley to Showcase Expanded Media Infrastructure Capabilities

Grass Valley will demonstrate its Media Infrastructure capabilities at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C2408, Central Hall), bringing routing, signal processing, and orche...

16/04/2026

Verizon Readies Robust Network Infrastructure Plans for FIFA World Cup 2026

As preparations ramp up for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Verizon has outlined a sweeping connectivity and infrastructure initiative that will underpin broadcast ope...

16/04/2026

Advanced Image Robotics Joins 2026 MLS Innovation Lab

Advanced Image Robotics (AIR) has announced its selection for the 2026 MLS Innovation Lab. AIR will work with MLS clubs, players, and executives on automated vi...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: JWX Acquires True Anthem, Adding AI-Powered Social Publishing to Publisher Platform

JWX has announced the acquisition of True Anthem, an AI-powered social publishin...

16/04/2026

Jomboy Media and Fubo Launch 24/7 Creator-Led Channel

Jomboy Media and FuboTV Inc. have launched the Jomboy Media Channel, a 24/7 channel available to FuboTV base plan subscribers. The channel, timed to the start o...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: Wave Central and EVS Announce SMPTE ST 2110 Interoperability Validation

Wave Central, a Domo Broadcast Company (Booth C2820), and EVS Broadcast Equipmen...

16/04/2026

Tata Communications and Formula 1 Release Race Before the Race, First Film in New Content Series

Tata Communications and Formula 1 have released Race Before the Race, the firs...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: DPA Microphones N-Series Firmware Update Adds Duplex Gap and Guard Band Access for North American Users

DPA Microphones has released a firmware update for its N-Series Digital Wireless...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: See Sony's Live Stage Presentations at NAB Show 2026

Sony's Live Stage at NAB Show 2026 is the place to hear directly from the content creators, end users, and technology experts who are pushing boundaries in ...

16/04/2026

Perfect Game and Youth Prospects Announce Broadcast Rights and Content Partnership

Perfect Game and Youth Prospects have announced a partnership covering broadcast...

16/04/2026

National Collegiate Rugby Partners with All Womens Sports Network for 2026 National 7s Championships

National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) has announced a media rights partnership with Al...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: Audio-Technica Introduces BP350ST-UB and BP350ST-UL Mid-Side Stereo Broadcast Microphones

Audio-Technica has announced two new mid-side (MS) stereo broadcast microphones:...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: PSSI Global Services Acquires Beagle Networks

PSSI Global Services has announced the acquisition of Beagle Networks, a provider of IT infrastructure and onsite technical support for media and enterprise cus...

16/04/2026

NAB 2026: Blackmagic Design Releases Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3

Blackmagic Design has released Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3, a free update available now from the Apple App Store. The update will be demonstrated at NAB Show ...

16/04/2026

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: 4Wall Entertainment's Dave Caulwell on Scaling Live Event Production for Sports

As live sports production continues to expand across linear, digital, and in-ven...

16/04/2026

ESPN Enters First HDR Postseason With REMCO Support in New Bristol-Based Control Rooms

Part of an infrastructure upgrade, the recently constructed spaces accommodate n...

16/04/2026

NBC Sports Tips Off First NBA Playoffs Campaign in 23 Years With Six-Truck Fleet, Interchangeable Production Model

NBC has added NEP's Supershooter 11, which only just came online in time for...

16/04/2026

Reimagining Earth Measurement for the AI Era: L3Harris and Xoople Develop a New Spaceborne Capability

For decades, understanding the physical world from space has required a trade-of...

16/04/2026

Locality and Nielsen Announce Landmark Integration of Media Data Engine, Transforming Local TV Measurement

The integration accelerates demographic audience delivery across local markets a...

16/04/2026

Quickplay Deploys Gray Medias New Streaming Platform

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

Spectrum TV App Launches On Google TV and Other Android TV Devices

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

Telestream Enables Multi-Cloud Media Workflows with Oracl...

Telestream Cloud Services, including Vantage Cloud, UP, and SENTRY monitoring tools, are now optimized for OCI, powering flexible multi-cloud media orchestratio...

16/04/2026

Fox Corporation Names Amazon Web Services its Preferred A...

Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; FOX or the Company ) today announced a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), naming AWS as its preferre...

16/04/2026

Triveni Digital Introduces New StreamScope Analyzer to Br...

Triveni Digital, a trusted leader in ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 service delivery, data broadcasting, and quality assurance solutions, today announced an ISDB-Tb capabilit...

16/04/2026

Synamedia and SoFast team up to accelerate FAST and OTT

Synamedia and SoFast announce strategic go-to-market partnership to accelerate FAST, pay-TV, and VOD At the NAB Show 2026, Synamedia and SoFast are announcing ...

16/04/2026

Imagine Builds on a Decade of ST 2110 Leadership at 2026...

Showcases New, Open-Standard IP Solutions Across Its Portfolio, From Production to Playout Imagine Communications is marking a decade of leadership in ST 2110 ...

16/04/2026

Roku Marks 100M Milestone

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

Sportway and Broadcast Solutions acquire Studio Automated...

Sportway Media Group, a world leading AI-automated sports production company and Broadcast Solutions, a leading system integrator and provider of innovative sol...

16/04/2026

AJA to Acquire Video Encoding Software Company Comprimato

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

NAB Show 2026: Sony Announces New Cameras, Virtual Production Tools

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

Synamedia launches GO Shorts

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

Clear-Com Introduces Arcadia and Eclipse HX Updates

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

16/04/2026

AJA Enters into Agreement to Acquire Video Encoding Software Company Comprimato

AJA Enters into Agreement to Acquire Video Encoding Software Company Comprimato Brie Clayton April 15, 2026 0 Comments Deal will expand AJA's video ...

16/04/2026

Deity Announces PR-4 Compact Field Recorder with Pre-Orders Launching April 14

Deity Announces PR-4 Compact Field Recorder with Pre-Orders Launching April 14 Brie Clayton April 15, 2026 0 Comments Deity Microphones today announce...

16/04/2026

Berklee's First Homecoming Brings Global Alumni to Boston for a Block Party Celebration

Berklee's First Homecoming Brings Global Alumni to Boston for a Block Party ...

16/04/2026

Tribeca Festival Unveils 2026 Feature And Short Film Lineup For Milestone 25th Anniversary Year

April 16th, 2026 Press Materials Available Here TRIBECA FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2026 ...

16/04/2026

One Unforgettable Night in an Unfamiliar Place Shakes Everyday Life to Its Core in Netflix's New Series The Facade of Love'

Back to All News One Unforgettable Night in an Unfamiliar Place Shakes Everyday...

16/04/2026

The Law According to Lidia Pot': How Italy's Beloved Legal Show Left a Mark on the Country

Back to All News The Law According to Lidia Po t': How Italys Beloved Lega...

16/04/2026

No Need for Space Gear - Capcom's PRAGMATA' Joins GeForce NOW on Launch Day

Head straight for orbit with GeForce NOW - no space helmet required. PRAGMATA,...

15/04/2026

BBC World Service TV Selects Open Broadcast Systems IP Decoders for Global Distribution

Open Broadcast Systems has announced that BBC World Service has selected its IP ...

15/04/2026

NAB 2026: LiveU Expands Collaboration with Sony to Include File-Based Workflow Integration

LiveU has announced an expansion of its collaboration with Sony Corporation, add...

15/04/2026

NAB 2026: Ateme and NVIDIA Announce Immersive Video Workflow for Apple Vision Pro

Ateme has announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to support live Apple Immersive ...

15/04/2026

Professional Fighters League Renews Multi-Year Partnership with DAZN DACH

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a multi-year partnership renewal with DAZN DACH, covering Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, and...

15/04/2026

NAB 2026: Canon Sets New Benchmark with CINE-SERVO 40-1200m Lens; New Remote Camera Controller Supports Up to 200 Cameras

Canon U.S.A. (NAB Booth C3825) today took the lid off of the CINE-SERVO 40-1200m...

15/04/2026

NAB 2026: Panasonic and NEP Group to Demonstrate KAIROS and NEP Platform Integration

Panasonic Video and Audio Systems North America and NEP Group will demonstrate a...

15/04/2026

Exclusive Wasabi Report: AI Spending Is Surging, But ROI Tells a Different Story

For the fourth year running, independent analysts found businesses across all industries and verticals pay roughly the same amount in fees as they spend on stor...

15/04/2026

NBC Sports to Broadcast The Soccer Tournament Live on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN, May 30-June 1

The Soccer Tournament (TST) has announced a media rights deal with NBC Sports to...