Alex Bubb

Groundbreaking advancement from Permutive and Ocado Ads. Retailers and publishers are crashing into each other as content and commerce converge, but brands and RMNs have needed an efficient, effective platform that maximizes value and addressability. Read Joe Root's post and Jessica Davies' Digiday article below and think about how inevitable, logical, and timely this is. (Side note that agencies are committing malpractice on their clients if they ignore this development and continue over-saturating cookie-based inventory.)

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I'm incredibly proud of the work we do at IKE Tech. Today, we launch our new white paper: "The first vape-free youth generation: The critical role of technology to end underage access and illicit sales.” This report is a call to action for the industry, policy makers and public, demonstrating that we can and must use technology for good. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eewgGPKf #IKEWhitePaper #TechForGood #FutureProofRegulation

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Last night, I had the pleasure of attending an insightful SMPTE United Kingdom Section event at Amazon UK, diving deep into the latest advances in cloud applications for media. As engineers in the TV and broadcast industry, we're always chasing efficiency, low latency, and scalable workflows—this evening delivered on all fronts! 🚀 Spotlight on Time Addressable Media Store (TAMS) This API-driven gem could revolutionize how we handle media in the cloud. 🤖 Kicking off with John Biltcliffe, we explored TAMS' origins from BBC R&D (open-sourced on GitHub since 2023). TAMS breaks media into small, easily addressable chunks, slashing latency and CPU overhead by avoiding endless full-file copies. Key advantages? Direct access to specific segments for ultra-fast workflows. Use cases are developing—from press conferences and social media clips to live production, post-production, streaming, and yes, even AI integrations! We've heard about real-world demos with partners like BBC, Vizrt, Sky, Techex, Adobe, Cutting Room, and Drastic TV. 🚨 Look out for a interesting demo at IBC this year involving Reuters and UK Parliament! Next, David Mitchinson, Solutions Director at Techex, highlighted how existing transport stream-based apps struggle with large files, eating up time and CPU. TAMS flips the script: 🎥 Imagine an HTTP-accessible media store with intrinsic timing, metadata richness, and robust security. Store once, access/manipulate only what you need—for lighter, collaborative systems bridging linear and non-linear functions. Techex's tx.darwin solution shines here: Result? Storage as a true media function, ideal for cloud, any format, even uncompressed manipulation. It aligns beautifully with EBU's Dynamic Media Facility and could supercharge containerized processes. Bonus: Watch for MXL advancements at IBC 2025 for minimal-processor data exchanges! 💾 Lastly, Amazon's Project Kuiper. Michael Rack blew minds with their Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation—3,200+ satellites to connect 2.9 billion offline people worldwide. 🌍 Already launching its first satellite, Kuiper promises 1Gbps downlink, 400Mbps uplink, and ~50ms latency (way better than geostationary sats!). Secure by design, with direct-to-cloud workflows and enterprise-grade SLAs at 99.9% reliability. Suitable for broadcast pros? Think committed bandwidth for news, disaster response, sports leagues, and remote productions—slashing costs dramatically! 💰 Antennas start at a compact 18cm², with services rolling out in select nations Q1 2026. Events like this remind us how cloud and satellite tech are reshaping our industry. 🌐 Huge thanks to SMPTE United Kingdom Section, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Techex, John Ellerton, Ian Trow and the speakers for the knowledge drop. 💡 What are your thoughts on TAMS or Kuiper—game-changers or just the start? 🤔 #SMPTE #CloudMedia #BroadcastEngineering #TAMS #ProjectKuiper #IBC2025

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Free Wi-Fi in the sky. That Great Business Show with Conall Ó Móráin are proud podcast partners with Aer Lingus long haul. Now you'll be able to stream our 270 episode back catalogue onboard when they introduce free Wi-Fi onboard next year (checks calendar), which is very soon. From London Times Andrew Ellson, Robert Lea British Airways is to woo passengers with the offer of free “high-speed” wifi on most of its planes next year. As it seeks to combat the lure of budget operators, the airline’s owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s STARLINK, which offers satellite internet connections. BA said the service would be as good or better than home connectivity and will be available on all European flights, as well as transatlantic crossings and other global routes. At present BA charges most passengers for wifi access, with prices starting at £4.99, but there have been complaints that the service is slow and unreliable. After striking the deal with Musk, IAG is promising the best and most widespread internet connectivity of any European airline. The deal means customers should in theory be able to stream their own films, TV and music and will no longer have to rely on entertainment offered by the airline. Starlink says it will offer download speeds of between 150 and 450 megabytes per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 20-70MBps. Independent testing of Starlink on aircraft by Ookla, an analyst firm, found average download speeds of 150Mbps and average upload speeds of 24Mbps. The service will be free on BA and its sister airlines Iberia and Aer Lingus but the company said there would be a small charge for wifi on IAG’s budget airlines Iberia Express and Vueling. It is due to be available on more than 500 of IAG’s 600-strong fleet of jets including most of BA’s 300 aircraft. The planes that will not be connected will be those nearest to retirement, and they will be replaced in due course by new Boeing or Airbus craft. BA declined to give a timetable for the service’s introduction but said it would be at some point next year. It was unable to explain how international jurisdiction would work when customers accessed streaming services on board, which have different licensing deals in different countries. BBC iPlayer, for example, is not available outside the UK and it is unclear whether the service will work mid- Atlantic. IAG said speeds of 150MBps mean downloading a high-definition film takes about five minutes. The UK’s average maximum home download speed is 223MBps. Luis Gallego Pól Ó Conghaile Pádraig Ó Céidigh Pat Byrne Rosemarie Curran Deirdre Sheehan Meabh Clohosey Trish Daly Louw Orla K. Amy Tumelty Dervila Mc Garry Stephen O'Dwyer Fionn Davenport Edwina Stuart Michelle Walsh Jackson Sarah McGuinness Niamh Walsh

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If your linear or FAST channel is exploring a UK market entry, now is the moment. GDS provides a secure, efficient route to reach 18 million Freeview households.

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Future is now for #streaming "The BBC has begun a trial to establish how well its approach to low latency streaming performs in viewers’ homes. Over the next few weeks, viewers on selected devices that have opted into iPlayer’s ‘beta’ mode may see an experimental low latency stream of BBC Two when watching live on iPlayer." This was always going to happen, but perhaps what's surprising is how quickly the technology has evolved. 4 years ago watching Euro 2021 on iPlayer was unbearable because of latency and buffering. I was watching it in UHD, and had to drop to HD. "the delay on TV streamed over the internet had been significantly reduced, it was still around 40 seconds behind a traditional broadcast" - The fact that we have come so far in improvements in latency is very impressive. I think there are still question marks as to how it will hold up when demand is high and bandwidth gets saturated. Yet, BBC will have obviously taken this into account, and will be watching keenly during key sporting events. Another point I'd like to see confirmed is the quality, are we talking #hdtv or #4k? Or just SD? I suspect HD, but it may well be 4k. BBC Head of R&D "Poole says there is a debate as to what should happen if users do experience some rebuffering. “Should the stream just resume, leaving them further behind for the rest of the programme? Should the stream catch up, skipping a few seconds in the process?” The BBC has chosen to allow the trial steam to play slightly faster after a stall, aiming to maintain low latency but without the viewer missing any of the action." It will be interesting to see how the innovations of using 5G and IP over satellite will figure in this future ecosystem. Finally, its great to see this tremendous change being led by a #publicservicebroadcaster in the #uk #television #tvindustry #streamingmedia https://lnkd.in/eV6V3zfW

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Big move brewing in UK media. Sky (via Comcast) is reportedly in talks to buy ITV ’s broadcast and streaming arm for around £1.6bn. If it goes ahead, it could reshape how we all watch live sport, news and entertainment… and who controls ad spend across platforms, broadcasters and tech. For the tech companies working with broadcasters, there’s upside. Fewer buyers, yes, but bigger ones. Those who drive performance and make life simpler will come out on top. Will be keeping a close eye on this one. #Sport #Media #Broadcast #Technology #icpsearch

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⚡ Announcement ⚡ I’m delighted to announce a new partnership between Apex Audio Group and Audiophile Directory, supporting the development of the UK & Ireland Hi-Fi ecosystem. Audiophile Directory is on a mission to build what Audioholics recently described as the “Zillow of the HiFi industry”: a centralised discovery platform that makes it easier for music lovers to explore brands, products, and trusted specialist retailers in a highly fragmented market. The UK and Ireland represent one of the most influential global territories for high-performance audio: a dense ecosystem of respected manufacturers, specialist dealers, and deeply engaged enthusiasts. Apex Audio Group will be supporting Audiophile Directory as UK & Ireland Market Partner, responsible for developing participation across brands, dealers, and distributors, while helping ensure the platform reflects the market as it truly operates and generates meaningful data-led value for all stakeholders. The team behind Audiophile Directory brings significant marketplace development experience, strong technical capability, and the ambition to build something truly category-defining. More to come soon! But if you’re a UK dealer, distributor, or manufacturer and would like to understand the platform and discuss early participation, feel free to reach out. The Bristol Hi-Fi Show will also be a perfect opportunity to connect in person - I’ll be arranging short meetings for anyone who would like to learn more and register early. #HiFi #CiFi # #highendaudio #audiophile #music #marketplaces #retail #distribution

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In taking a look at the excellent DPP IBC 2025 Demand vs Supply Report today a few things stood out: Content Explosion – Streaming platforms and broadcasters face accelerating demand for fresh, localised, multi-format content. Resource Crunch – Shortage of skilled post-production, localisation, and cloud infrastructure capacity is widening the demand–supply gap. Rising Costs – Inflation in rights, production, and delivery costs is squeezing margins across the industry. Tech Acceleration – AI-driven localisation, workflow automation, and cloud-native platforms are seen as critical to bridging the gap. Strategic Priority – Media companies must optimise workflows, integrate smarter tools, and leverage partnerships to remain competitive. So content demand is surging but resources aren’t keeping up. At Flomenco, we believe this is exactly where AI-driven orchestration and intelligent workflow automation can make the difference — bridging the gap by streamlining processes, scaling localisation, and optimising delivery pipelines. How is your team tackling the demand vs supply crunch? Let’s talk.”#IBC2025 #DPP #ContentDemand #WorkflowAutomation #AIinMedia #FutureOfMedia

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Source-Connect 4 has become the industries first remote collaboration solution to achieve Dolby Atmos certification. This unlocks new possibilities for remote collaboration for mixers, directors and steak-holders working in Dolby Atmos. https://lnkd.in/eJf2ce3x

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September wasn’t just super at Channel 4 Sales – it was record-breaking! With more than 6 billion streaming viewer minutes in September (up 36% YoY), we were the fastest growing of the leading streaming platforms last month. We’ve carried on the momentum and have now posted our best-ever day on record for streaming views (7.7 million) this Tuesday 👏. And we’re also the biggest streamer among commercial broadcasters for 16-34 viewing this month (460 million viewer minutes). There’s some market-leading linear success to shout about too: 💥 The Great British Bake Off ranked as the number one title across commercial TV in 2025 among 1634 audiences in September (averaging 1.1 million viewers) 💥 Gogglebox won its Friday 9pm linear slot among all broadcasters across September 💥 Educating Yorkshire has won its linear slot for youngs for five weeks in a row taking a 33% share among 1634 audiences

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Samsung’s new anti-theft features reflect a growing shift: phone security can’t just rely on PINs anymore. As theft tactics evolve, OS-level protection is becoming essential. "Samsung Encouraging Users to Activate Latest Anti-Theft Features to Help Tackle Phone Theft" https://lnkd.in/e5k2CebW

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An interesting development as U does run its own service in a separate app. The destination of this change is unsaid, and I will have a look at what this means (other than making U content more accessible as the U app is not on as many TVs as Channel4 is...).

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Industry Insight 🤔 So you have an LED Display…but what’s next? 💭 In this video we explain the top three pillars are for digital success and how you can use these for prime optimisation, turning visual engagement into sales! 💸 ✅Purpose and Audience Strategy ✅Content Delivery ✅Preformance Optimisation

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*Connected TV Ecosystem Powering Media's Next Monetisation Wave* 📺 One session at MIPCOM 2025 crystallized something I've been thinking about lately: the Connected TV infrastructure many of us helped build is now the foundation for media's next monetization era. Maria Rua Aguete from Omdia presented data that made the convergence impossible to ignore—where technology platforms meet content strategy, and where commercial opportunity and creative innovation truly intersect. Here's what the numbers reveal about FAST, AVOD, microdramas, and why the advertising shift in streaming is accelerating faster than most realize: 👇 📊 The global Media & Entertainment market is projected to reach $1.43T by 2030 (up 30% from $1.1T today). But where that revenue comes from is changing fast. 💰 Over 60% of online video revenue now comes from advertising — not subscriptions. CTV is sprinting past traditional TV, and the gap keeps widening. 📺 FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) revenues will double to $11B by 2030, with 76% from the U.S. Platforms like Roku, Pluto TV, and Samsung TV Plus prove that "free" can still mean premium when the model's right. 🎭 Microdramas are projected to hit $11B in 2025 — nearly matching FAST's scale. China dominates (83%), while the U.S. leads FAST (81%). Both show the same pattern: audiences want frictionless access and snackable engagement. 📱 Smartphones remain the #1 streaming device (72%), but Connected TVs are closing in fast — bringing the lean-back experience to scalable, ad-supported models. ⚠️ Strategic insight that hit home: Brands still overinvest in social and linear TV while underleveraging CTV, AVOD, FAST, and microdramas — where audiences actually spend time. 🧩 This is the convergence I'm most excited about: The technology layer (CTV platforms, device ecosystems, smart TV OS) meets the content strategy layer (ad-supported formats, short-form storytelling, global reach). It's not about scale anymore — it's about how infrastructure enables new creativity and monetization. 🔮 What's next: ✅ AI-driven ad democratization — lowering barriers for creators & niche platforms ✅ Premium FAST channel lineups — quality content, not just library filler ✅ Shoppable TV & retail media — connecting the $300B retail media opportunity with the $6.6T e-commerce economy by 2029 💡 My takeaway: FAST and microdramas aren't just trends — they're proof that distribution infrastructure, ad-supported models, and audience behavior now form the core of the next monetization wave. For those of us who understand both technology and content, this is where commercial opportunity and creative innovation truly converge. 👏 Kudos to: Maria Rua Aguete and the Omdia team for laying out the data so clearly. #MIPCOM2025 #FAST #AVOD #StreamingStrategy #CTV #MediaMonetization #ContentStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #Omdia #RetailMedia #EMEA

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Tomorrow we’ll be clinking glasses at our Schools Broadband Christmas do… and at the exact same time, school broadband hits its weirdest stress-test of the year. Here’s the crux: schools are “winding down”, but the networks don’t. Christmas discos, end-of-term assemblies, last-minute revision, staff wrapping up admin, staff streaming Netflix and Christmas films on every device they can — all while stop-change for carriers is kicking in and the industry is trying to hold service levels steady through peak seasonal chaos. This is the part we don’t say out loud often enough: The Christmas break isn’t a quiet period. It’s a demand-shift. Traffic doesn’t disappear — it relocates, spikes at new times, and exposes every weak link in content filtering, Wi-Fi capacity, last-mile resilience, and support coverage. A few uncomfortable truths worth thinking about: • “It’s only two weeks” is how outages get normalised and backlogs get born. • Filtering policies meet real life when Christmas playlists and film streams collide with safeguarding tools. • Change windows don’t care about nativity plays. If your supplier’s processes aren’t aligned to school reality, you’ll feel it now. My thoughts: the schools that start January strongest are the ones treating December like a resilience rehearsal, not a shutdown. So while everyone’s signing off (and rightly so), this is the moment to ask: Are we operating broadband as a utility… or as mission-critical infrastructure for learning and safeguarding? #Education #SchoolBroadband #Connectivity #DigitalInfrastructure #Safeguarding #WiFi #NetworkResilience #EdTech #ServiceManagement #ChristmasPeak

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Super September Smashed All Records At Channel 4 Sales 🚀 🌟 With more than 6 billion streaming viewer minutes in September (up 36% YoY), we were the fastest growing of the leading streaming platforms last month. We’ve carried on the momentum and have now posted our best-ever day on record for streaming views (7.7 million) this Tuesday 👏. And we’re also the biggest streamer among commercial broadcasters for 16-34 viewing this month (460 million viewer minutes). There’s some market-leading linear success to shout about too: 💥 The Great British Bake Off ranked as the number one title across commercial TV in 2025 among 1634 audiences in September (averaging 1.1 million viewers) 💥 Gogglebox won its Friday 9pm linear slot among all broadcasters across September 💥 Educating Yorkshire has won its linear slot for youngs for five weeks in a row taking a 33% share among 1634 audiences

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