The exponential growth in the penetration of internet connected devices together with the increasingly diverse services that can run on them have huge implications for traditional media.

Using smart phones, tablets, games consoles, netbooks and connected TVs, consumers are seizing the initiative and devising new ways to discover, consume and interact with their favourite content. Broadcasters and content owners are responding by offering on-demand and streaming services as complements to their traditional distribution.

Anyone looking to make sense of these changes should head to the IBC Connected World, a special area of IBC which brings together the very latest developments in online and mobile TV, 3G, 4G and OTT services, pioneering “second screen” applications and IP technologies that impacting the creation, management and delivery of content in our increasingly connected world.

At the heart of the IBC Connected World, the Demonstration Area will host a programme of technology and product demonstrations and Connected Consumer Debates that will explore and explain many of the hottest topics across the connected content scene.

The themed programme of demonstrations will give visitors the opportunity to understand the diversity of innovations across a number of important connected content subjects:

• Friday 13 September - Apps & software solutions
• Saturday 14 September - IPTV/OTT solutions
• Sunday 15 September - Connected Home & Smart Devices
• Monday 16 September - Video Streaming & Multimedia networks
• Tuesday 17 September - Cloud platforms

Taking place at 12:00 noon and 15:00 daily on the Demo Stage, the Connected Consumer Debates are free-admission, hour-long sessions that are designed to give IBC visitors the opportunity to learn about and debate the critical business and technical issues at the intersection of broadcast and broadband.

Topics to be covered include:

The state of the internet: This introductory session will examine the shifting patterns of internet usage, the factors driving growth in internet consumption around the world and the implications for the content industry.

The emerging market opportunity: Connected content is a global phenomenon. Drawing on research undertaken by BPL, this session will take a more in-depth look at developments and opportunities in key emerging markets and discuss whether there are any lessons that more mature economies can learn.

Building engagement into programme formats: Apps and the “second screen” are increasingly important elements of new programme formats. How does the second screen requirement change the content creation process and what are the lessons for creators and commissioners?

Content management in the cloud: as content producers progressively migrate to IP connectivity across the content creation, management and delivery processes, how is the “cloud” being used today, and where will it be exploited in the future? What are the implications for wider industry if more and more CapEx spending transitions to OpEx?

Delivering content online: Screens now range from the mobile phone to 4K. New standards such as MPEG DASH and HEVC/H.265 are the latest contributions to enhancing the online video experience but what is the current reality for content owners who want to deliver their content to all screen sizes being used by consumers today and what role will can broadband practically play in the delivery of 4K content?

Monetizing content in the connected world: New viewing behaviours and new distribution channels are giving rise to new audience measurement practices while the second screen promises new audience engagement and “social TV” programming promotional opportunities. This session will debate emerging business models in the connected world.

The role of audio in the connected world: Audio is known to have a dramatic impact on the viewer’s overall content experience. This session will look at the constraints that online delivery places on audio and discuss whether content creators are making the most of the audio dimension within their online offerings.

The Connected World Assembly of Associations: Several industry associations and forums, many exhibiting at IBC, are developing technical standards that are relevant to the creation, management and delivery of connected content. This session will provide an update on these initiatives and provide visitors and exhibitors with an opportunity to learn which standards may be relevant to their own businesses.

The full schedule for the Connected Consumer Debates will be confirmed over the coming weeks.