IBC 2026 – Create the Moment

Mike Crimp, CEO, IBC

This year’s IBC theme is “Create the Moment”. What does that theme represent for you, and why does it feel particularly relevant to the media and entertainment industry right now?

“Create the Moment” reflects what the industry needs from IBC right now. Media and entertainment organizations are operating in a fast-changing market, but they are also under increasing pressure to show what works, what creates value and what moves their business forward.

For me, the theme is about turning potential into progress – about IBC bringing people together around a challenge, an opportunity, or a new idea and turning it into something practical. That might be a new partnership, new product, new workflow, new business model, or new way of addressing a shared industry challenge. IBC offers a unique global intersection of people, technology and ideas across the entire M&E ecosystem that makes those moments possible

That feels particularly relevant now because the industry conversation has largely shifted from innovation in theory to innovation in practice. Whether the focus is on AI, cloud, audience engagement, content authenticity, sustainability, or new commercial approaches, the discussion has become much more grounded in practical application. Create the Moment captures that shift.

 

IBC describes itself as the place where “media and entertainment comes to life”. In a rapidly evolving market, what role do you think IBC plays in helping the industry turn ideas into action and innovation into real-world business outcomes?

One of IBC’s greatest strengths is that it gathers the entire media and entertainment community in one place. 14 halls of exhibitors all come to Amsterdam with different perspectives but often the same pressures and priorities. The boundaries between broadcasting, streaming, telecommunications, gaming, social platforms and creator-led media are also less distinct than they once were. Bringing those sectors together creates connections and conversations that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

You can see that across the show. The Conference explores the strategic issues shaping the industry. The exhibition demonstrates technologies in real-world contexts. Future Tech showcases emerging innovation, while the Accelerator Media Innovation Programme brings organizations together to collaboratively develop solutions to industry challenges.

In a market where companies are placing greater emphasis on meaningful engagement and return on investment, IBC provides a truly international meeting point where different parts of the industry can learn from one another, identify where change is happening and build the relationships that help shape what comes next..

 

IBC2026 appears to be building strongly on the momentum from last year’s event, particularly with the expansion of Future Tech. What has the response from the industry been, and why do you think this area has resonated so strongly?

The response has been extremely positive. Future Tech was introduced to provide a dedicated space for the technologies, ideas and people shaping the next stage of our industry’s development, and it has quickly become one of the most dynamic areas of the show. There is no shortage of discussion around emerging technologies, but many people are looking beyond the hype for a clearer understanding of how those technologies will affect their organizations. Future Tech creates a space where those conversations can happen in a practical way.

I think it has resonated because it focuses on the questions the industry is wrestling with right now. How will AI change production? What will future audience experiences look like? How do we develop the skills needed for the next generation of talent? Where is innovation being sparked beyond the established vendor community?

That is why we are building on Future Tech through new initiatives such as Future Tech Ignite. It has become a focal point for people who want to understand where media technology is heading and, importantly, how those innovations can be translated into real industry adoption.

 

Future Tech has evolved from a new feature into a major destination within the show. What can visitors expect from it this year, and how does it reflect the future direction of the industry?

Not only is Future Tech larger, but it has become one of the clearest expressions of what IBC is about. This year, visitors can expect an expanded mix of start-ups, scale-ups, research projects, collaborative innovation programs, and next-generation skills initiatives, reflecting where the industry is headed.

The new Future Tech Ignite area will include a Start-Up Zone and Ignite Stage, connecting start-ups, entrepreneurs and emerging technologies with the wider M&E ecosystem. Future Tech will also be home to the Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, the expanded Talent and Skills Development Programme, and through IBC Exchange, a curated meeting area within the new Braindate Lounge.

 

IBC2026 is placing greater emphasis on emerging talent, creators and the next generation of media innovators. Why is this an important focus area for IBC now?

Technology transformation is only part of the story. The future of our industry will ultimately be shaped by people. One of the most interesting developments in recent years has been the way new voices and new perspectives have entered the media landscape, and we’ve given voice to that trend at IBC.

Creator-led businesses have become increasingly influential, new forms of storytelling are emerging, and organizations across the industry are thinking carefully about the capabilities they will need for the future. That is why we are expanding our focus in this area. Through initiatives such as the IBC Talent Programme, creator-focused activities and broader development initiatives, we want to provide opportunities for emerging professionals to engage directly with the industry and with potential employers.

Digital creators are also becoming an increasingly important part of the wider media ecosystem. The boundaries between traditional broadcasting, streaming, social platforms and the creator economy continue to blur. IBC is uniquely positioned to bring those communities together and facilitate conversations about what the future holds.

The IBC Accelerator Programme has been a huge success. What has it got for us this year?

The Accelerator Programme continues to demonstrate the value of collaborative innovation. Now in its eighth year, it remains one of the industry’s most effective mechanisms for bringing together leading global media organizations such as the BBC, NBCUniversal, DAZN, Sky and Associated Press with pioneering technology providers to jointly address pressing industry challenges .

This year’s program features nine projects exploring some of the most important areas shaping media’s future. These include AI-driven production workflows, immersive live experiences, next-generation streaming architectures, content discovery, sustainability, accessibility and advanced connectivity.

For instance, the FRAMES project explores how AI can connect archives, creative teams and production workflows in new ways. Another example is SMART STORIES, which examines how story-centric production ecosystems could improve collaboration across the content chain, while Delta Protocol is rethinking how live media is transmitted and personalized at scale.

What makes the program unique is that these are not theoretical exercises. The focus is on creating practical proof-of-concepts that address genuine operational challenges. The Accelerator Programme provides a valuable framework for developing breakthrough solutions with real-world application.

 

With the IBC Awards deadline approaching, can you give us any insights into what we might be seeing at the ceremony in September?

The Awards continue to provide a key snapshot of where innovation is creating meaningful impact across the industry. Every year we see an extraordinary range of submissions that demonstrate how organizations are tackling challenges around content creation, distribution, audience engagement, sustainability and social impact.

The judging process is always rigorous, drawing on expertise from across the media and technology sectors, and the quality of submissions continues to rise. While it is far too early to predict winners, I expect we will see strong representation from projects involving next level collaboration to deliver beyond audience expectations.

The Awards remain an important opportunity to recognize the individuals and organizations helping to move the industry forward, and they continue to highlight how innovation translates into genuine industry impact.

This year, IBC announced a strategic partnership with EIT Culture & Creativity. What opportunities does this create for the wider media technology ecosystem, and what impact do you hope the collaboration will have?

EIT Culture & Creativity joining as Innovation Partner for Future Tech Ignite and the Accelerators Programme is exciting because it brings together complementary communities. IBC provides a global platform connecting broadcasters, content owners, technology providers and innovators, while EIT Culture & Creativity brings access to a broad European network of start-ups, research institutions, investors and creative entrepreneurs.

One of the challenges facing the media industry is creating effective pathways between innovation and adoption. The partnership is designed to help bridge that gap. It will strengthen links between the M&E sector and Europe’s wider innovation and technology ecosystem. Ultimately, the goal is to create clearer pathways from ideas and proof-of-concepts to real-world implementation and industry impact.

What advice would you give to IAMT members exhibiting at IBC2026 to make the very most of their investment and time in the show?

The most successful exhibitors approach IBC as much more than a four-day event. They see it as part of a wider business development and relationship-building strategy. That may sound obvious, but it is easy to underestimate the scale and intensity of IBC. There are thousands of conversations taking place simultaneously, and the organizations that gain the most value are often those that arrive with clear objectives and a plan for how to achieve them.

Initiatives such as IBC Connect and IBC Exchange powered by Braindate are designed to support those interactions by helping attendees make targeted connections and participate in more focused conversations through curated meeting programs. The companies that embrace those opportunities often discover that some of the most valuable outcomes from IBC are the ones they did not originally anticipate.

I would also encourage exhibitors to look beyond their immediate market segment. Some of the most interesting developments in media are happening where different industries intersect. That might involve telecommunications, AV, sports technology or the creator economy.

 

IAMT sees our partnership with IBC as a critical collaboration for our members across the global media technology landscape.  How can both IAMT itself and all our members around the world work more closely with IBC – and vice versa – to help deliver maximum value for our members at this pivotal time for the whole industry?

Our relationship with IAMT and the wider IBC Owner group is critical to the event’s success. The relationship between IBC and IAMT is built on a shared commitment to supporting the long-term success of the media technology industry. Both organizations play an important role in creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing, collaboration and business development across the global ecosystem.

IAMT members already contribute enormously to the success of IBC through exhibiting, speaking, participating in innovation programs and helping shape industry dialogue. We would encourage members to engage as broadly as possible with the opportunities available across the showfloor.

 

Finally, what do you personally hope attendees will take away from IBC2026?

I hope they leave with a clearer sense of where the industry is heading and how they fit into that future. The challenges facing media and entertainment are well documented. Every organization is dealing with technological change and new competitive pressures. Yet when I speak with people across the industry, I am consistently struck by the level of creativity that still exists. IBC provides an opportunity to see that first-hand.

Most importantly, I hope they leave excited for what’s next. Some of the most interesting developments often emerge during periods of change. If attendees leave Amsterdam with new knowledge, new relationships, fresh thinking and a clearer view of where the industry is heading, then we will have achieved exactly what IBC is designed to do: create the moments that matter.