The transition to IP delivery and production will continue to have major impact on every aspect of the industry. Whether on-prem or from data centers, this transition is revolutionary. Software-only implementations, together with subscription-based microservices, will be the next wave impacting opex vs capex and how business gets done. Bridge Technologies and their representative in North America, 2110 Solutions, are at the center of this transition. Their solutions for monitoring, analyzing, and visualizing every aspect of the live production and distribution signal chain are comprehensive. SMPTE 2110 and 2022-6 standards for live-production applications offer incredible flexibility and big cost savings for those that can use it in collaborative environments in studio, cloud, image, or REMI applications.

Bandwidth will have the most significant impact, driven by a range of technologies, including fiber, 5G, satellite, and traditional broadband. By leveraging these resources, broadcasters can achieve greater flexibility and reliability in managing content. This integration will be essential in meeting the growing demand for high-quality, uninterrupted service. Live sports consistently rank as the most-watched content, making reliable distribution even more critical. Using satellite for distribution or backing it up with a direct satellite link ensures zero packet loss compared with IP circuits, which are more vulnerable to interruptions. By combining satellite, fiber, and 5G technologies, broadcasters can maintain the quality and reliability necessary for delivering seamless experiences to their audience. This multilayered approach to distribution will be key to minimizing disruptions and maximizing reliability.

Among innovations in transmission and connectivity technology, 5G-network slicing may have the greatest impact on our industry, allowing dedicated bandwidth with guaranteed quality of service to address the requirements of high-demand live-production scenarios. For example, in a stadium setting, a dedicated local 5G cell tower can ensure uninterrupted wireless transmission of camera feeds unaffected by spectator traffic. For moving signals beyond the venue, multiple connectivity technologies — such as 5G, 4G, and satellite — can be bonded into a single resilient pipeline for live video transmission. As the industry shifts away from traditional fixed infrastructure, more innovative bring-your-own-connectivity models will provide greater control over the “first mile” of transmission while enabling improved flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency.

Ultra-low latency: 5G offers latency reductions to as low as 1 ms, enabling real-time remote production and live broadcasting capabilities. High bandwidth for UHD: With significantly increased bandwidth, 5G can support delivery of 4K, 8K, and HDR content, enhancing mobile and remote viewer experiences. Network slicing: 5G’s network-slicing capability allows the creation of virtual networks tailored to specific broadcasting needs, improving flexibility and scalability. Mobile contribution and distribution: 5G simplifies content gathering and distribution on the go, as field crews can instantly stream high-quality video directly from mobile devices or compact 5G-enabled transmitters.

We have two factors here: a general increase in available transmission bandwidth, coupled with advances in compression technology. 5G is great for on-the-spot transmission of high-quality live material, and advances in that will make the bandwidth more reliably available. Having gigabit connectivity everywhere will also make remote production more prevalent, and a good-quality network can allow lower transport-protocol latency. The technologies to watch for are anything that provides ubiquitous high bandwidth (5G, fiber access everywhere, etc.), transport protocols with high security and low latency (such as RIST), and low-latency CODECs (JPEG-XS, HTJ2K, and special HEVC modes).

Over the past year, the biggest impact on our transmission business has been SRT. We are now finding that our main program feed is no longer a fiber feed but SRT. Last year, we produced more than 80 successful events using SRT technology as our main feed. We are also using this technology to assist our league partners with officiating and command centers. At this time in Canada, we are not seeing any connectivity on 5G for our business but are looking forward to testing it soon.

In the next few years, a combination of satellite and 5G technologies will transform the media landscape. At Eutelsat, we are positioned to bridge the gap between terrestrial networks and satellite-based solutions, providing the low-latency, high-speed connectivity that 5G requires. One key technology that will reshape the industry is our GEO-LEO satellite solution. LEO satellites, with their low latency, offer near real-time connectivity that complements GEO’s broad coverage. This hybrid model ensures that even in areas where terrestrial 5G rollout is delayed or challenging, we can deliver 5G-equivalent experiences through satellite. Our involvement in feeding 5G networks via satellite will also be crucial for industries like broadcasting, where real-time data transmission and content delivery are essential for delivering better experiences from sports streaming to autonomous vehicle communication.

We need official regulation to allow the use of radio spectrum within the 5G spectrum, which will enable easy and cost-effective deployment of production services based on 5G.

5G is transforming sports broadcasting with high-bandwidth, low-latency capabilities enabling real-time, high-quality content capture using compact, mobile equipment. Private 5G networks are a game-changer, offering ultra-reliable, low-latency transmission that will eventually replace traditional SDI cables and RF systems in stadiums. These networks also excel in challenging outdoor environments, enabling seamless coverage of events on water or in remote areas. By reducing setup complexity and enhancing flexibility, 5G unlocks new possibilities for live sports production. As adoption grows, 5G will set new benchmarks for connectivity and engagement, reshaping how fans experience live events.

In general, the industry needs better, faster, and more reliable connectivity. This is what will drive the industry forward and meet the needs of UHD video. This includes improvements in broadband speeds from cellular networks, the expansion of fiber infrastructure, and greater consistency across global regions. More-robust connectivity is bound to solve many of the accessibility challenges the industry faces when interacting with video.

The biggest impact will be unmanaged-network temporal compression codecs and resilient transmission-protection protocols along with the need for trust boundaries due to more content being received from more different sources.

The blazing-fast speeds, extremely low latency, and massive connectivity achieved with 5G technology raised consumers’ mobile-content availability and performance expectations. Behind the scenes, data-storage solutions like OpenDrives must live up to that expectation and work with 5G to enable these viewing experiences. Older, conventional storage infrastructures face various technical limitations in terms of scalability, bandwidth management, and security. Modern storage technologies must support AI-driven edge technology and a distributed-storage architecture to provide content where it’s needed now and must adapt to 5G’s performance on broadcasting and mobile-broadcasting workflows to ensure viewers enjoy always-on seamless experiences.

To meet audience demand for higher-quality viewing experiences, broadcasters are increasingly exploring new live-production workflows based on 5G technology. Sony is leveraging 5G with an IP contribution solution combining our CBK-RPU7 remote-production unit, PDT-FP1 portable data transmitter, and NXL-ME80 media edge processor. These technologies streamline video transport using Sony’s ultra-low-latency HEVC technology for enhanced latency performance. We conducted a successful test during a 2024 major golf championship, working with a U.S. broadcaster to deploy the CBK-RPU7 and PDT-FP1. Video was transmitted to an OB truck via a portable private 5G system powered by an MNO and deployed at the course. This reduced the need for extensive cabling and enhanced the content experience by using wireless cameras to capture new viewing angles.

5G will continue to be a game-changer. The ultra-low latency and high bandwidth of 5G networks, through T-Mobile's 5G on Demand and 5G SA (standalone) Network, will enable new forms of content delivery, such as augmented- and virtual-reality experiences, bringing fans closer to the action. This also provides the flexibility to deploy high-performance connectivity when and where it’s needed, ensuring seamless, immersive viewing experiences even in remote or temporary venues. Advances in edge computing, supported by 5G infrastructure, will allow efficient processing of data closer to the source, reduce latency, and improve the quality of live broadcasts — all key for delivery of real-time analytics/interactive features during events. 5G, edge computing, and AI will drive significant innovation in how content is produced, transmitted, and consumed.

Over the past two years, TBS has conducted several live slicing trials, the results discussed during a technical whitepaper presentation at IBC 2024. Our findings underline that 5G slicing on public networks could have a positive impact on how we address the challenge of providing an alternative solution to traditional broadcasting methods, which often rely on fiber-connected stadiums or OB vans. For sports rightsholders, slicing technology could enable the broadcasting of school and club versions of Tier 1 sports, thereby expanding their fan base. For national broadcasters, the use of slicing technology could offer the ability to broadcast Tier 2 and Tier 3 sports, especially in remote areas, and help close the digital divide, creating a more diverse sports landscape.

I believe there are massive opportunities to take advantage of the 5G infrastructure being installed in stadiums and arenas. For the backbone of all production, the idea of achieving an entirely wireless setup one day is definitely intriguing. Infrastructure providers are rolling out new tools that directly integrate networks with production workflows, opening up new potential to use fans’ phones as production-quality sources for broadcasts or events. User-generated content is king — and I think this capability is becoming increasingly important.

5G and satellite connectivity, such as Starlink, are transforming sports production by enabling coverage of previously inaccessible locations. For example, TVU Networks powered the 2024 Paris Olympics Torch Relay, eliminating costly aerial setups, while delivering dynamic, real-time content entirely in the cloud. Stadiums equipped with private 5G networks are unlocking new fan-engagement opportunities and diverse camera angles, creating richer experiences. A recent collaboration with the German Football League during the 2023 Supercup showcased seamless 5G live transmission from Allianz Arena, even among 75,000 fans. These technologies not only reduce costs and environmental impact but also open doors to innovative productions, making high-quality content creation more flexible and sustainable across the industry.

5G private networks will continue to add new use cases as the capability matures and the industry continues to adopt the technology to address current and future workflows. The leagues, venues, and teams are currently embracing it in experimental stages and are beginning to see the benefits of having an isolated wireless architecture that can care for game integrity, POS, security, untethered camera feeds, etc.

The future of sports broadcasting will be defined by innovations in transmission and connectivity. Vislink’s suite of RF and 5G transmitters — including DragonFly V, HCAM, and LiveLink — are at the forefront of this shift, delivering ultra-low-latency, high-quality video over cellular, public, private, and hybrid networks. These technologies allow broadcasters to seamlessly capture and transmit content from diverse environments. With the flexibility to leverage 5G and other network types, we can ensure high-bandwidth, reliable connections that enhance both production quality and fan engagement in real time.

Fiber-optic and hybrid cabling infrastructure will have the biggest impact. As technologies continue to evolve and move to IP, the demand for higher bandwidth increases. Fan experience is one of the major drivers for new stadium builds and renovations, putting the emphasis on increased audio, video, wireless, and security infrastructures. The need for facility owners to maximize revenues relies on the ability not only to attract and retain fans but to garner television revenues. This will not be possible without a physical in-venue network that can accommodate both legacy and emerging technologies now riding on the same backbone.