🗺️ My First-Timer’s Guide to IBC 2025
What to expect from one of the world’s biggest media tech event?
Hey streamers, today let’s talk IBC in Amsterdam 👇
My background is in content. I started in this industry at events like MIPCOM in Cannes. And for a long time, content and tech didn’t really mix. Not a lot of media professionals went to both MIPCOM and IBC.
That has changed.
Today, to really understand streaming, you need to look at everything: content, tech, advertising, and all the pieces that make a platform successful.
That’s also my mission with The Streaming Lab: connect the dots, explore new technologies, and see how they can bring value to the MENA streaming ecosystem.
That’s why I decided to attend IBC for the first time. And I did my homework: checking who attends, which companies exhibit, and what’s on the agenda.
This article is for first-timers like me, but also for IBC veterans who want a clear overview of what to expect this year 👇
Read on to learn about:
What’s IBC? A quick look at the numbers that make it one of the biggest media tech event in the world.
What you don’t want to miss: The key sessions from this year’s edition.
Let’s meet? How to connect and make the most of IBC networking.
What’s IBC?
IBC describes itself as a leading event for the media, entertainment, and technology industries, and the range of people who attend proves it.
Media & Entertainment: broadcasters, distributors (cable, satellite, cinema), production and post-production companies, advertisers.
Technology & Digital Services: cloud, immersive tech (VR/AR/MR), esports, gaming, OTT platforms, IoT, system integrators, hardware/software suppliers.
Corporate & Industry Bodies: finance, retail, legal, consultancy, research, government, education.
Telecoms & Infrastructure: telecom operators, mobile companies, equipment providers.
So yes, the IBC crowd is much broader than just tech.
One infographic sums this up well:
The number of attendees is impressive. Most companies come from Europe, especially the Netherlands, UK, Germany, US, and France, across 170 countries in total.
Africa and the Middle East make up only 4% of IBC attendees. I found very few tech companies from MENA on the list. We can definitely do better.
There are several ways to experience IBC, depending on your role:
Visitor Pass: for media and tech professionals exploring the latest solutions.
Technical Papers: for engineers and specialists looking for research and problem-solving.
Conference Pass: for content and broadcast leaders who want to stay ahead of industry trends.
Exhibitor, Student, and Press passes are also available.
Pricing ranges widely, from free visitor passes (if you register early) to €1,699 onsite for a conference pass.
This year, IBC launched something new: a network of content creators to share highlights and perspectives from the event. I really like this idea, very few industry events are doing it.
A great example is Neha Modi’s IBC Bites, which gives a fresh and engaging view of the show: check it out here.
What you don’t want to miss
What are the big topics this year? Collaboration, sports, AI, advertising, etc. Here are 6 sessions you should not miss:
When: 12 Sep, 12:00–12:30, Conference Room 1
Who: Pedro Pina (YouTube), Grace Boswood (Channel 4), moderated by Sasha Qadri
Why attend? Viewers are spending more time watching YouTube on their TVs. This session will explain how broadcasters can partner with YouTube to reach these audiences, grow their presence in the living room, and use the right tools to stay ahead
When? 12 Sep, 12:30 - 13:15, Conference Room 1
Who? Elena Petrova (A12 Telekom Austria Group), Harish Sarma (Yahoo Mail), Jorrit Eringa (Snap Inc), Katharine Wen (Sky), Liz Riemersma (Sling TV), moderated by Marion Ranchet Streaming Made Easy)
Why attend? Partnerships are changing the media world. Broadcasters, streamers, and social platforms are joining forces to reach younger audiences who now have endless options across devices. This session will show how smart collaborations can help content stand out and drive real growth.
When? 12 Sep, 15:00 - 15:45, Conference Room 1
Who? Colin Phillips (BT), Mansoor Fazil (NBC Universal), Marcos Obadia (TelevisaUnivision), Prashant Khanna (JioStar), Moderated by Ken Kerschbaumer (Sports Video Group)
Why attend? Streaming live sports is exciting, but also risky. Fans expect a flawless experience. This session will explain how to deliver sports at scale with the right tech, strong security, and precise planning.
When? 13 Sep, 15:00 - 15:30, Conference Room 1
Who? Evan Shapiro (ESHAP)
Why attend? Evan Shapiro is known for making sense of the chaos in media. In this session, he’ll share new data and his unique maps to explain why the industry may have finally reached a new balance, and what that means for everyone in it.
When? 13 Sep, 16:30 - 17:15, Conference Room 1
Who? Andy Hood (WPP), Fran Hale (Little Dot Studios), Julie Triolo (Fox Advertising), Justin Gupta (Google), Moderated by Rob Ambrose (Caretta Research)
Why attend? Advertising is under pressure. Broadcasters and agencies need new tech, smarter formats, and simpler models to survive. This session will explore the latest in interactive ads, how to fit them into existing systems, and how to keep revenues sustainable for everyone.
When? 14 Sep, 14:05 - 15:05, Conference Room 1
Who? Blake Basseett (Tubi), Paul Dale (BBFC), Sannuta Raghu (Scroll AI Lab)
Why attend? AI is already helping media companies automate work and create in new ways, though its biggest impact is still ahead. This session will cut through the noise to show where AI is delivering value today, and what’s coming next.
And don’t forget what happens outside the conference rooms. The IBC 2025 Party & Event List by Janet Greco (Broadcast Projects) is your guide to the real networking after hours.
Let’s meet?
I’ll be at IBC for 3 main reasons:
1️⃣ Share live updates
I’ll post tech highlights from the show floor for The Streaming Lab community. Follow me on LinkedIn and subscribe to the newsletter to stay in the loop.
2️⃣ Showcase MENA streaming
Last week, I shared an updated overview of the MENA streaming landscape. At IBC, I’ll share full insights directly with media tech professionals.
3️⃣ Launch the LinkedIn Bootcamp
A new program designed for media tech companies, helping sales teams boost visibility, build trust, and drive real results.
📩 DM me on LinkedIn if you’d like to get more information or connect during IBC.
📍 Most of the time, you’ll find me at the White Peaks Solutions booth (2.C41b), inside the French Pavilion, organized by the CCI (Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce). Come by and say hi. You’ll also see how they help broadcasters and content owners with their tech, and hear some interesting client stories.
I’ll also be around at the main events, starting Thursday with
Streaming Made Easy Live, and the CCI Networking Event later that evening.And if you have tips or insights to share, just hit reply to this email. Yes, I read them all 😉
See you in Amsterdam!
Wishing everyone a great week! See you online this Friday for a new edition of my Streaming in Short.
