IBC 2017

Kantar Media’s Global Director of Social TV, Carlos Sanchez, brought IBC conference delegates up to speed about its research into the relationship between social media activity and TV viewing, showing a correlation between the performance of Twitter and Facebook, and revealing that TV programmes with highly-engaged viewers receive more Tweets.

Ampere Analysis believes that pressure on traditional Pay TV business models, both in the U.S. and Europe, together with the major SVOD players being more restrictive in the types of content they are willing to buy, are pushing content providers and channels to consider direct-to-consumer distribution as an alternative. There are gaps in the market for sport and entertainment genres, particularly reality TV.

Facebook Product Director, Daniel Danker, discussed the thinking behind the social media giant's new Facebook Watch platform at IBC, revealing a focus on reality TV through episodic 'shows' often fronted by online 'celebs' - apparently positioning the new product as a YouTube competitor. Video is “entirely community-driven” and creators take 55% of any ad revenues.

Viaccess-Orca’s collaboration with TiledMedia and DTS has created a revamped version of its VR solution, which slashes delivery bit-rates by delivering selective resolution enhancement, and intelligently predicts future user behaviour to lower latency. The new VR360 platform also offers enhanced advertising and monetisation opportunities.

At IBC, V-Nova explained that improvements to its PERSEUS video compression technology weren’t simply directed at providing better quality at lower bit-rates but also at improving measures like cost-efficiency and reach. Guido Meardi, CEO and Co-Founder of V-Nova, also denied that the PERSEUS platform was in any danger of running up against theoretical compression limits, arguing that commentators had failed to understand its testing philosophy

Two years on from the launch of its Neohome IoT ecosystem for the smart home, Néotion demo'd a range of new IoT devices and features at IBC, saying the technology was already being piloted by several operators, with an unidentified Tier One operator due to go live with Neohome by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the company's new CEO, Lionel Boissier, promises a renewed focus on innovation at the company, but signals that its security business and role within the common interface standard, remains firmly embedded in its DNA.

WiFi experts Airties say that Android TV is becoming so tied up with the future of streamed video that learning about it and integrating it into its operator set-top boxes was a no-brainer. Its ability to provide a platform that's fast and economical to roll out makes it a natural for operators wishing to offer 4K to their customers as well as ensuring easy access to their favourite OTT apps. Given the amount of second-screen viewing, turning customers' living-rooms into the best WiFi reception areas in the home by integrating a hotspot into their new Android box also makes perfect sense, the company argues.

Ten months on from DVB's publication of its UHD-1 Phase 2 specification, a new battle has emerged over whether the existing compromise between two rival High Dynamic Range systems needs to be unwound, with the existing static metadata-based HLG and PQ-10 norms extended - or replaced - with new dynamic variants. DVB Chairman Peter MacAvock remains sceptical about their attractions, although the standards-body is now investigating whether they are needed. Meanwhile, the UHD specification's HD profile - aimed at the DTT platform - has been demonstrated on the DVB stand at IBC.

At IBC, Irdeto was showing a number of innovations on its stand, all of which were aimed at making it quicker and easier to get their premium content to customers. These included a new Vestel 4K TV set integrating its newly-launched TV Cloaked CA solution, in collaboration with chipset maker MStar; and the same security solution integrated into the new CI Plus 2.0 USB format. Meanwhile, Irdeto was promoting Android TV as a viable STB solution for quick market access; and arguing for a 360-degree security approach to combat piracy which extended beyond the simple use of watermarking.

Recent improvements to UK public TV broadcaster Channel 4’s ability to target ads and personalise the audience experience mean that it now makes as much money from an impact on its All 4 portal as it does from one on its linear channels. The All 4 audience can be divided by ‘taste’ into nine different segments, rather than simply through demographics, age and gender.