The merits of server-guided ad insertion (SGAI) were one of the big ad-tech talking points at this year’s IBC, but does the technology represent a step change for publishers?
Choosing the best way to insert addressable adverts into streams is one of the key technology dilemmas currently facing ad-supported streaming services.
Server-side ad insertion is often seen as the lynchpin of ad-tech in the streaming age, as media companies look to grow digital revenues to offset linear TV’s decline.
Historically, ads in OTT have either been inserted into a stream by the client (at the player or device level), or stitched into the stream by the server, without the need for client-side integration...
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ULL-timate goal: How streamers are prioritising ultra-low latency
With audiences expecting instant global information, and broadcasters competing against social platforms that deliver clips within seconds, the race is on to deliver ultra-low latency (ULL) as a competitive edge.
RTS Convention: “The prize for standing still simply isn't an option”
AI was largely sidelined at the annual RTS gathering where the fate of public service media took precedence. Adrian Pennington reports.
Content Everywhere at IBC2026: AI moves from hype to action
Companies from across the Content Everywhere ecosystem highlight what they see as some of the most promising industry developments at IBC2026, while calling out areas where they think the industry has room for improvement.
How virtual sets are changing the shape of podcast production
One podcast session can now feed a much wider content package spanning audio and video. Rob Chandler, Founder, CEO, The Dean Street Podcast Studio, explains how that changing demand shaped the studio he built in central London.
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Innovation Awards: Collaboration and open standards triumph
The winners of the IBC Innovation Awards were revealed at an event at the Amsterdam RAI, honouring collaborative projects tackling some of the industry's biggest challenges.
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