Amsterdam, Netherlands — The global media, entertainment and technology industry is heading to Amsterdam this September as IBC2026 prepares to bring broadcasters, content owners, technology companies, creators and industry leaders together at RAI Amsterdam from 11–14 September 2026.
With artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, changing audience behaviour and new approaches to content creation reshaping the media landscape, this year’s International Broadcasting Convention is expected to be an important meeting point for the industry.
According to IBC, the 2026 edition is set to attract more than 45,000 attendees from over 170 countries, with around 1,300 exhibitors across 14 exhibition halls and outdoor areas. More than 600 speakers are also expected to contribute to the programme.
AI Moves to the Centre of Media Innovation
Artificial intelligence is expected to be one of the defining themes of IBC2026.
The technology is rapidly changing how content is created, produced, distributed and discovered. From automated production workflows and AI-assisted editing to content recommendation and audience analytics, media companies are increasingly exploring practical applications of AI.
IBC’s 2026 conference programme will examine AI in action, alongside topics including live sport, creator-led disruption and trust in content.
The focus is increasingly shifting from AI as an emerging technology to AI as a tool capable of delivering measurable benefits for broadcasters, streaming platforms, production companies and content owners.
The Future of Content Production
IBC2026 will also highlight technologies transforming the production environment.
Cloud-native workflows, next-generation production tools, immersive experiences, private 5G networks and cybersecurity are among the areas expected to attract significant attention during the event.
For broadcasters and production companies, these technologies represent more than technical upgrades. They are part of a wider transformation toward flexible, connected and increasingly software-driven production environments.
Future Tech Expands at IBC2026
One of the key areas to watch will be Future Tech, located in Hall 14.
IBC says Future Tech will be expanded in 2026, with the area bringing together startups, emerging technologies, innovation projects and industry experts. The programme includes the Start-Up Zone, Accelerator Zone and a Future Tech Stage.
A new initiative, Future Tech Ignite, will further connect startups and entrepreneurs with the wider media and entertainment ecosystem. The initiative is designed to help emerging technologies move beyond demonstrations and toward practical industry applications.
Innovation With a Focus on Real-World Impact
A major theme running through IBC2026 is the connection between innovation and real business outcomes.
The event’s Accelerator Programme continues to provide a platform for the industry to work collectively on technical and operational challenges. Rather than simply presenting finished products, the programme encourages collaboration between technology companies, media organisations and other industry participants.
This approach reflects a broader change across the media sector. Companies are increasingly looking for technologies that can solve specific operational problems, improve efficiency and create new opportunities rather than simply adding new features.
Content, Creators and Changing Audiences
The traditional boundaries between broadcasters, streaming services, social platforms and independent creators continue to disappear.
Audiences increasingly consume content across multiple platforms, while creators are developing direct relationships with global audiences. IBC2026 will explore this changing environment through discussions around creator disruption, content distribution and new commercial models.
For media companies, the challenge is no longer simply producing high-quality content. Understanding where audiences are, how they consume content and how new technologies can improve engagement has become equally important.
Trust Becomes a Critical Issue
As AI-generated and digitally manipulated content becomes more sophisticated, trust and content provenance are also becoming increasingly important.
IBC2026 will address the growing need for reliable content, cybersecurity and technologies that can help organisations establish where content comes from and whether it can be trusted.
For broadcasters and publishers, maintaining audience confidence could become one of the most important challenges of the next phase of digital media.
A Global Meeting Point for the Industry
Beyond the exhibition floor, IBC2026 is positioning itself as a place for collaboration, networking and knowledge exchange.
The event will feature conference sessions, technical papers, innovation showcases and structured networking opportunities. A new IBC Exchange initiative is designed to create more focused conversations between attendees around shared expertise and industry challenges.
With participants expected from more than 170 countries, the event will provide a global perspective on the future of broadcasting, streaming, production and entertainment technology.
What to Watch at IBC2026
For visitors and media professionals attending the event, several themes are likely to dominate conversations across the halls:
- Artificial intelligence and practical AI applications
- Cloud-native media workflows
- Next-generation broadcast and production technology
- Live sports and immersive experiences
- Creator economy and new content models
- Cybersecurity and content trust
- Private 5G and connected production
- Startups and emerging media technologies
- Sustainability and more efficient media operations
The Industry Heads to Amsterdam
IBC2026 arrives at a time of significant change for the global media and entertainment business.
Technology is evolving rapidly, audience behaviour is shifting and traditional media companies are competing with an expanding range of digital platforms and creators. At the same time, artificial intelligence is opening new possibilities while raising important questions about trust, copyright, skills and the future of creative work.
Against this backdrop, IBC2026 will provide an opportunity for the industry to move beyond predictions and examine the technologies and strategies that are already beginning to shape the next generation of media.
IBC2026 will take place from 11–14 September 2026 at RAI Amsterdam, bringing the global media, entertainment and technology community together for four days of innovation, discussion and collaboration.