NAB 2026, Via LA, and the Future of NDI|HX

As a longtime fan and proponent of NDI, I feel that new codec licensing fees and the response of hardware manufacturers put the entire future of HX on shaky ground.

Peeling Back Sports' Hidden Layer of Streaming Ops and Tech

We spend a lot of time talking about what fans see in sports. The camera angles, the replays, the graphics, the studio analysis. All of it is designed to bring the viewer closer to the action. But the most important part of modern sports broadcasting is not what fans see. It is what they never see. Behind every moment on screen, there is an entire hidden layer of technology and operations working to make that experience feel effortless. And that layer is becoming more complex than ever.

Why the Future of Remote Production May Run at the Speed of Light

If immersive, real-time, and AI-driven production is the future, the underlying network must change, argue photonics advocates and members of IOWN.

The Games Behind the Games: Winter Olympics From Mountain Slope to Mobile Screen

That illusion of effortlessness is what makes the Winter Olympics such a powerful lens for understanding where streaming and live production are heading next. Because what happened at Milano Cortina 2026 is not just about new cameras or sharper graphics. It is about the entire journey from capture to cloud to consumer.

Sneak Preview: Vertical Leap: Growing the Free Vertical Drama Business at Streaming Media Connect

Vertical drama is exploding on free streaming platforms, driven by mobile-first viewing, bingeable formats, and a new generation of viewers and global creators. Tune in on February 26 at Streaming Media Connect as experts from Celestine Pictures, Hudson Vertical, Stratagem Vertical, and GoodShort break down the business models, distribution strategies, and monetization tactics driving the vertical drama boom—and explain how to scale it effectively.

Private 5G in Live Sports Production Across Land, Sea, and Air

Private 5G does not reinvent live sports. It gives production teams greater control over environments they already operate in, and the agility to take the network with them wherever the story goes.

WBD Debuts Technology Platform for Winter Olympics and Beyond

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is deploying a purpose-built broadcast platform and a large physical presence to deliver fully immersive coverage to audiences for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

Milano Cortina 2026: Winter Olympics Host Broadcaster Rules Out Remote Production

Is the Olympic Committee's host broadcaster warming to the notion of transitioning to virtual or REMI production for this winter's fast-approaching Milan Cortina games? Speaking as part of a roundtable event three weeks out from the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina XXV Winter Games (MC26) in Northern Italy, Yiannis Exarchos, CEO, Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) said that the sheer scale of an Olympics and current technological limitations on behalf of rights-holding broadcasters meant elimination of a physical International Broadcast Center (IBC) is not likely soon, or even desirable.

Sports in 2026 Will Be Smarter. Let’s Make Sure They're Still Human

With smart stadiums, distributed production, automation, and data-driven decision-making, we're seeing a sea change in the way sports streams are produced, delivered, and consumed. None of this is a bad thing. Much of it is necessary. But it is also worth pausing to remember what sports are actually built on. Not code. Not platforms. Not dashboards. But people, emotion, and shared experience.

Sports Media Predictions: Looking Ahead to 2026

The next phase of sports media will not be defined by breakthroughs alone. It will be defined by decisions. About focus. About balance. And about where value really sits.

Instant Replay: Streaming Media Connect December

Streaming Media Connect December was all about live and featured exclusive keynote fireside chats with Rebecca Sirmons of NASA+ and Neal Roberts of WarnerBros. Discovery and a slate of live streaming panels packed with speakers from Peacock TV, Paramount+, Google, Globo, EZDRM, nanocosmos, CommScope, Starz, Professional Fighters League, LG, and more. Check out a playlist with Streaming Media Connect December sessions on Streaming Media's YouTube channel to catch the sessions you missed and revel in the ones you want to relive through the magic of VOD.

When Live Sports Aren’t Live

Low latency is not a nice-to-have. It's the difference between being in the moment and watching it on delay. In sports, the moment is the product.

IBC2025: 5G Finally Winning for Live Sports

Rewind to last year and 5G was still more proof of concept than real world scenario. Not any more. "5G is here and real," said Brad Cheney, VP, Field Operations & Engineering, Fox Sports at the IBC2025 trade event in the Netherlands.

The 2025 Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards Finalists Revealed

More than 1,200 readers voted in 19 categories. We'll announce the winners on October 8 at Streaming Media 2025, but here's a tease—the top three vote-getters in each category. And you just might be surprised at the names you see.

Q&A: Hudl VP Media Adam Gouttierre Talks High School Sports Streaming, Hyperlocal Fan Loyalty, and Burgeoning Brand Support

In this Q&A, Hudl VP of Media Adam Gouttierre discusses the growth of high school sports as a streaming niche, the dedication of hyperlocal fan bases, opportunities brands are seeing and seizing on the Hudl platform, and how he believes those monetization opportunities will evolve in the coming years, particularly as the role NIL deals play in amateur sports continues to expand.

Vote in the 2025 Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards

The Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards has grown along with the industry. In 2025, we've got 19 categories. The polls are open! Let the voting begin!

Q&A: Verizon CTO Josh Arensberg Talks Revolutionizing Live Sports Streaming via Private 5G Networks

In this interview, Verizon CTO of Media and Entertainment Josh Arensberg explores how the company is revolutionizing live sports production through the use of private 5G networks, pushing the boundaries of cloud-based workflows, real-time AI, and immersive fan experiences.

Riedel Communications Launches RefSuite Ecosystem for Sports Officiating, Coaching, and Production

Riedel Communications today announced the launch of RefSuite, a powerful new Managed Technology solution tailored to professional sports workflows. RefSuite combines hardware, software, cloud services, and 24/7 remote operations into one seamless ecosystem

Nominate Now for the 2025 Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards

What's your favorite streaming tool, tech, or service? What is the most important new innovation in the business in 2025? It's time to make your nominations for Streaming Media's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards, our annual industry awards program chosen by end users.

DIY Broadcast: How Underrepresented Sports Are Building Their Own Streaming Stacks

That's changing. With automated cameras, cloud production platforms, and AI-driven tools now capable of delivering the full suite of broadcast workflows—from live switching and graphics to clipping, highlights, and distribution—sports that once had no way to show themselves are building their own streaming stacks. They're not waiting to be picked up. They're going live—and taking control.