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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Content Everywhere: The long and the short of it
Short-form video platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have transformed how audiences consume content. According to recent data from YouGov, rather than replacing traditional viewing, short-form clips are becoming an important step in the viewing journey, helping audiences discover shows and inspiring them to tune in.
Hybrid by design: How immersive tech is transforming remote collaboration
From shared virtual spaces and volumetric media to real-time engines and cloud rendering, broadcast and proAV teams are moving beyond simple connectivity towards collaboration that feels genuinely co-located.
Creator takeover at MPTS: “You’re competing for tiny slices of attention”
Exhibitor and conference sessions still nestle deep-tech dives about compression alongside tutorials on podcasting, but this no longer feels incongruous. Adrian Pennington reports.
TV: The Bigger Picture – “Measurement is valuation”
DTG’s annual TV: The Bigger Picture conference predicted an upcoming measurement war and stressed the importance of inclusivity in the rush for greater technological adoption. George Jarrett reports.
Creative Cities Convention: “See your background as an asset”
The Creative Cities Convention in Liverpool, UK, featured a range of highlights, including the first public speech from Channel 4’s new CEO, strategies to strengthen working-class voices, and the latest updates on a burgeoning regional production base.


