The International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) is one of the most influential global gatherings for the media, entertainment, and technology industries. Each year in Amsterdam, thousands of broadcasters, content owners, technologists, and solution providers come together to explore the future of media from production and distribution to security and monetization.
IBC 2025 showcased the sector’s ongoing evolution, with AI, cloud-native workflows, and content security dominating the conversation. Attendees came with purpose, focused on connecting with partners and evaluating new technologies while tackling challenges like piracy and operational efficiency head-on.
For DoveRunner, IBC 2025 was a chance to strengthen partnerships and hear directly from the industry. “My main goals were to connect with existing and future partners that we work with in expanding DoveRunner’s ecosystem and extending its functionality,” says Erik Peña, Product Manager at DoveRunner. “Additionally, I wanted to get face time with customers and prospects to understand the current climate of content security.”
Here’s what we learned at IBC 2025:
Spotlight on Emerging Tech
If one theme defined IBC 2025, it was artificial intelligence.
From monitoring to threat detection to automated enforcement, AI is no longer a “future trend.” It’s now rapidly moving to the center of anti-piracy innovation. AI in content security also surfaced in conversations around threat detection, monitoring, and enforcement — areas where companies are eager to explore the practical applications beyond the hype.
“There was more of an emphasis on AI this year than I’ve seen in the past couple years,” Peña noted. “It feels like AI is really starting to get center stage in practical applications, especially as it pertains to content security — whether it’s monitoring, detecting, or addressing potential issues.”
Other technologies also entered the conversation. For example, the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) is a developing standard for verifying the origin and integrity of digital media. While adoption remains limited and most attendees admitted they were still in an exploratory stage, its emergence signals growing industry interest in content authenticity.
Together, these discussions reflect a shift: AI may have stolen the spotlight, but it is part of a broader story of how new technologies are reshaping the media landscape. And those shifts became even more apparent in the industry narratives and market priorities we observed across IBC 2025.
Industry Narratives and Market Focus
Conversations at IBC 2025 centered on challenges and opportunities facing the most active market segments, alongside broader themes shaping the industry’s direction. Four priorities stood out:
Live Sports and Entertainment
These market segments continue to generate the greatest urgency around anti-piracy protections, particularly given the high value of premium live content and the need for reinforcement at speed and scale.
Operational Cost Efficiency
Companies are under pressure to reduce costs while improving accuracy and scale. AI- and ML-driven solutions were consistently positioned as a way to meet these demands.
Cloud-Native Adoption
Providers are doubling down on cloud platforms to deliver at scale. AWS remains the leader, though Azure is seeing growing adoption, especially among media and entertainment companies.
CDN Leeching
CDN Leeching also emerged as a persistent frustration across segments. While difficult to quantify in terms of cost, it remains a recurring theme in conversations. Layered defenses, such as DRM License Cipher and Forensic Watermarking, can help mitigate its impact.
Together, these narratives highlight a media exosystem balancing growth with efficiency and innovation with risk. They also set the stage for the industry’s next chapter: the lessons companies should take from IBC 2025 and the market’s direction in the year ahead.
Looking Ahead: Lessons and Future Shifts
IBC 2025 highlighted how rapidly priorities are shifting. AI is moving from concept to practice, and companies are beginning to explore where it can provide real value in content security. Other emerging standards like C2PA may not yet be mature, but they point to the industry’s increasing focus on trust and authenticity in content delivery.
At the same time, layered defenses are no longer optional. DRM is a critical foundation for anti-piracy, but organizations should combine it with watermarking and license protection to safeguard their high-value content.
“Companies are laser-focused right now on two things: operational cost-cutting solutions driven by AI/ML, and alternative methods for piracy abatement beyond standard protections,” Peña observes. “That focus is only going to accelerate heading into 2026.”
As the industry continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the conversations that began at IBC 2025 will shape the strategies, technologies, and defenses that define the next chapter of media and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the biggest themes at IBC 2025?
The conference highlighted three dominant themes: AI’s growing role in content security, cloud-native adoption, and the importance of layered defenses against piracy.
Why was AI such a major focus at the conference?
AI dominated discussions because companies are eager to apply it to monitoring, threat detection, and enforcement. Attendees were especially interested in moving beyond hype to explore practical applications.
Did any other technologies stand out besides AI?
The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) surfaced as a developing standard to verify the origin and integrity of digital content. While adoption is still limited, it signals growing interest in authenticity and trust.
What types of organizations were most active at the event?
Live sports and entertainment drew the most focus, given the high value of premium content and the risks of piracy in these market segments.
What lessons should organizations take from IBC 2025?
Media and entertainment companies are focusing on two priorities:
1. Cutting costs by adopting AI and machine learning, and
2. Strengthening piracy defenses.
