After a 2025 edition with 43,858 visitors and more than 1,300 exhibitors from 170 countries, IBC has consolidated its role as a key event for broadcast, media and AV. We spoke with Jo Mayer, Head of Marketing at IBC, about the trends set to lead IBC 2026, with a particular focus on AI, cloud and virtual production.
IBC has a long and influential track record in the industry. Could you briefly explain where IBC comes from and how it has evolved over the decades to become a global benchmark for the broadcast and media technology sector?
IBC was founded in 1967 as a convention created by and for the industry, bringing together engineers, technologists and broadcast professionals to share ideas and showcase breakthrough innovations. What has remained constant is its purpose: bringing the community together to collectively shape the future of the sector.
Today, IBC reflects a much broader ecosystem, spanning streaming platforms, creative studios, telecommunications, AV professionals and emerging digital players, and it continues to evolve as the technologies and behaviours that define our industry change.
Looking back at the latest edition, what were the key participation figures for IBC 2025?
IBC 2025 welcomed 43,858 visitors and more than 1,300 exhibitors from 170 countries. But beyond the numbers, what stood out most was the atmosphere and the clear sense of business being done: across every hall there were constant meetings, collaboration-driven conversations and hands-on demonstrations of next-generation technologies.
The Future Tech area was the engine of innovation and the show reinforced IBC’s role as the leading international meeting point for the media, entertainment and audiovisual sectors. The edition stood out for its energy and momentum, once again proving that IBC is where the industry comes together to collectively decide where the sector is heading.
After IBC 2025, what key takeaways did you draw regarding emerging trends, standout technologies and the profile of professionals attending the event?
In 2025 we saw a turning point: the industry moved from testing new technologies to deploying them in real-world environments, especially when it comes to AI. Solutions such as agentic AI, cloud, private 5G and content authenticity and verification tools evolved and proved their value in professional settings.
We also saw a clearer convergence between broadcast, streaming and corporate AV. In addition, new types of attendees and creators from non-traditional media sectors came to IBC looking for more flexible, integrated workflows capable of improving quality, boosting efficiency and opening the door to new business models.
The AV sector is more diverse than ever. Which areas or markets are currently priorities for IBC, and how is their presence evolving within the show?
Broadcast and streaming remain the foundation of the event, but the areas growing the most are AI, virtual production, immersive content, telecommunications and AV integration. In addition, profiles such as corporate AV buyers, systems integrators and digital-first creators are becoming increasingly important, confirming that technologies and workflows are now shared across different sectors. In this context, IBC’s role is to act as a common meeting point where these communities can exchange knowledge, collaborate on R&D projects and create new business opportunities.
Looking ahead to 2026, what direction does IBC want to take as an event, and what is your mid-term vision in a landscape where production, distribution, OTT platforms and immersive technologies are increasingly connected?
Following the success of IBC 2025, the next edition will place even greater focus on innovation, community and connection between professionals. While the IBC 2026 programme is still being defined, the objective is clear: to remain the major meeting point where new ideas emerge, partnerships are formed and shared technological advances help move the industry forward.
IBC has always been a technology-driven event. What types of AV, Broadcast, IP, cloud, AI and next-generation production solutions can professional visitors expect to find at IBC 2026?
Visitors can expect to see continued momentum around technologies such as agentic AI, hybrid cloud infrastructures, software-defined live production, low-latency streaming, immersive and interactive environments, private 5G networks and next-generation virtual production. These areas were already prominent in 2025 and will take a further step forward in 2026. In addition, IBC 2026 will once again highlight solutions that drive technical innovation and open up new creative and commercial opportunities. In this regard, the IBC Accelerator Programme will play a key role, showcasing real collaborative R&D projects and developments with strong transformative potential.
With the shift from SDI to IP and the rise of remote production, automation and AI, which technologies or workflows do you expect to take centre stage at IBC 2026?
AI will remain one of the major protagonists, particularly in areas such as live production assistance, process automation, content personalisation and quality control. We also expect significant growth in remote production, cloud-native orchestration, solutions focused on content traceability and verification, and virtual production workflows that blend real-time graphics with LED environments. Overall, technologies that help teams work more efficiently, improve monetisation and expand audience reach will gain even more prominence.
Many professionals attend IBC to learn and upskill. What role will training play in 2026? Will there be specific programmes for broadcast engineers, creators, integrators or hybrid profiles?
Talent and professional development are becoming increasingly important for IBC. In 2025, our Talent Programme brought together key partners such as Rise, HBS and the EBU to help reduce skills gaps and support new entrants to the industry. In addition, initiatives such as the IBC x Google Cloud Hackfest provided a hands-on environment where developers, engineers and creatives could collaborate on real-world challenges. In 2026, we will continue to strengthen this approach with new initiatives focused on talent and education within the show.
The industry increasingly needs to update digital and emerging skills. What role will IBC play in continuous training, and what kind of educational content will be available?
IBC will continue to be a reference space for continuous professional development, offering options such as masterclasses, hands-on demonstrations and activities like Hackfest, which encourage experimentation and real-time problem-solving. Our goal is to support professionals at every stage of their career by connecting them with the knowledge, networks and technologies they need to keep progressing.
Finally, what message would you give to professionals considering attending IBC 2026? Why is it a strategic event for the sector?
IBC is where the global media and AV community comes together to understand where the industry is heading and to be part of shaping that change. If you want to discover transformative technology, connect with the people driving new creative and business models, and experience the real pulse of the sector, IBC 2026 is a must-attend event.
