IBC 2026 preview

As 45,000 M&E enthusiasts prepare to descend on Amsterdam for the annual IBC Show, we take a look at what’s in store

Words Nicola Foley

While traditionally aimed at the broadcast sector, the IBC Show continues to grow and expand, reaching its tentacles to virtually every corner of the media and entertainment industry. Not only is this a great chance to explore the latest equipment (many companies schedule their biggest launches of the year around the show), but the calibre and volume of talks are pretty well unmatched on the conference scene.

As usual, this year’s expo takes place at the RAI in Amsterdam, running from 11 to 14 September and bringing together around 1300 exhibitors and some 45,000 attendees. There are 14 halls to explore, spread across 43,000 sq ft – the step counts at IBC are no joke! – and there is quite literally, as the programme promises, ‘content everywhere’.

The main IBC conference focuses predominantly on the deployment and future of AI in the media industry, as well as emerging commercial models, audience behaviour, and transformation in the sports broadcast sector. It features spokespeople from Netflix, Meta, Google, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, FIFA, Adobe and many more. A key part of the main conference – which you will need an additional pass to attend – is the presentation of peer-reviewed technical papers, this time seeking to answer the question: ‘What direction should our technology take for our business?’

Elsewhere, more than 600 speakers will take to stages across all the halls, showcasing technological developments and debating the big media topics.

Look out for Future Tech in Hall 14, where you might just find the next big thing in M&E. This space debuted last year and focuses on connecting start-ups, entrepreneurs and emerging tech, featuring the Start-up Zone and Ignite Stage, with a four-day programme including skills development sessions and creative showcases.

In the market for some new glass? There are loads of optics on offer at this year’s IBC, with the latest offerings from Irix, Angénieux, SIGMA, DZOFILM, Fujinon and SAMYANG, among plenty of others. Camera manufacturers including Sony, Canon, Blackmagic Design, RED, Panasonic, Fujifilm and Nikon are expected to showcase their latest cinema and production cameras, alongside accessories and workflow solutions. Lighting will be well represented too, with Aputure, Godox and Nanlite displaying the latest LED fixtures and wireless control systems, alongside a host of grip, support and monitoring specialists.

Software and workflow solutions continue to occupy an ever-increasing footprint at IBC, with Adobe, Louper, Mnemonica, Avid and other specialist developers showcasing advances in editing, graphics, collaboration and cloud-based production.

AI will doubtless be a hot topic on the show floor again, while storage specialists including OWC, Synology, Quantum and SNS will be demonstrating solutions designed to keep increasingly data-intensive production pipelines running smoothly from set to screen. Turn over for our pick of the booths!

Stands to see

amaran | 11.C27

The focus for amaran at IBC 2026 is to showcase solutions for its three key audiences – which it labels ‘on-the-go creators, desktop creators and home studio creators‘ – through dedicated, experience-led booth areas. Explore the range of accessible, high-quality lighting tools designed for today’s filmmakers, content creators and storytellers.

Aputure | 11.B22

Aputure will show off its growing ecosystem of professional lighting solutions for broadcast, live production, film and studio workflows. On the booth, you can see how the NOVA and STORM series integrate seamlessly with Sidus Link Pro to deliver intelligent, network-based lighting control from pre-production through to live operation. Among the highlights are the new STORM CS32, Aputure’s latest high-output fixture for demanding studio and large-scale production environments, alongside the growing NOVA family of pro LED panels.

Visitors will also be among the first to discover the latest additions to the line-up, further expanding the company’s offering for broadcast, studio and live production professionals. Don’t miss the Sidus Playground, where you can experience advanced lighting workflows first-hand and see how Sidus Link Pro enables seamless fixture management, wireless control and integration across the entire Aputure lighting ecosystem.

Astera | 12.G53

Astera spotlights the Quik Family and Bulb Family at this year’s show. QuikBeam is a compact spotlight delivering 200W tungsten-equivalent output from 20W, with a 13-60° zoom and three power options: QuikBrick battery, built-in PoE or PowerFlow daisy-chaining. QuikSpot, meanwhile, is a battery-driven uplight offering 300W equivalent output from 38W, with wired DMX and 4.5 hours of runtime. QuikPunch delivers 650W equivalent output from just 75W, 8000 lux at 3m with zero stray light. All three offer a removable yoke, KickStand, built-in wireless CRMX and AsteraApp control.

The Bulb Family includes LunaBulb, NYX Bulb and SolaBulb, a 50W PARbulb-equivalent luminaire with a 15-50° zoom. Drawing just 15W, SolaBulb delivers 5228 lux at 1m via Astera’s Titan RGBMA LED Engine, 96 TLCI rated. IP44-certified, fan-free, PowerStation-compatible and with built-in CRMX and Bluetooth, each kit includes eight SolaSnoots.

The stand also features other Astera fixtures, including the Tubes range and Pluto with the ProjectionLens, turning the wireless fresnel into a profile spotlight with a 16-36° beam and gobo support. Beyond the fixtures, expect a demo zone throughout the show.

Atomos | 7.B19

Atomos can be found in Hall 7 at IBC this year, demonstrating its most comprehensive production ecosystem to date, spanning acquisition, live production, cloud collaboration and content delivery. Show visitors can get hands-on with the latest Ninja monitor-recorders, Shinobi field monitors, the powerful Sumo PRO-19 and Shogun AV-19 production systems, A-Eye PTZ cameras and controllers, StudioSonic audio solutions and ATOMOSphere cloud workflows. A dedicated NDI demo area will show off how Atomos products integrate into IP-based production workflows, highlighting low-latency video transport, flexible connectivity and efficient live production solutions for broadcasters, studios and content creators alike.

Blackmagic Design | 7.C49

Blackmagic Design brings its latest digital film and post-production workflows to the show, with a focus on large format cinematography, immersive production and collaboration from set through to final delivery. Pop by to compare the URSA Cine 17K 65 with the URSA Cine 12K LF, seeing first-hand the creative differences between digital 65 and large format acquisition. The compact PYXIS 12K will also be on show, sharing the URSA Cine 12K LF’s RGBW sensor technology and full-sensor 4K, 8K and 12K capture.

The stand will also highlight Blackmagic’s move into cinematic live production. Announced at NAB, the URSA Cine 12K LF 100G combines a large format digital film sensor with high-frame-rate SMPTE ST 2110 video over 100G Ethernet, supported by new 100G switching, recording, conversion and storage products. The URSA Cine Immersive and Immersive 100G will demonstrate production for Apple Immersive Video, including emerging live workflows. In post-production, DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 and Blackmagic Cloud will showcase AI-assisted tools, shared projects and remote collaboration across editorial, VFX, colour and finishing.

BirdDog | 7.B51

BirdDog is a global video technology company helping teams build smarter, more flexible live video workflows. With significant expertise in NDI, SRT, Dante AV-H and a whole host of other IP video protocols, alongside baseband connectivity such as SDI and HDMI, BirdDog creates cameras, converters, controllers, software and workflow tools that make professional video simpler to deploy, manage and scale.

From broadcast and live events to AV, education, corporate, worship and content creation, BirdDog products are designed to connect the entire production ecosystem. Whether users need PTZ cameras, outdoor-ready systems, cinema-grade image quality, remote collaboration, encoding, decoding, monitoring, control or multicam workflows, BirdDog brings everything together with reliability, flexibility and ease of use. At IBC Show, BirdDog will showcase its latest innovations across cameras, software and connected workflows, demonstrating how modern live video can move beyond single-purpose products into complete, scalable production systems.

Clear-Com | 10.D29

Clear-Com will highlight solutions to support distributed production workflows. The FreeSpeak Cell, Clear-Com’s newest wireless beltpack, leverages LTE and 5G cellular networks to extend communications beyond traditional RF coverage. Now becoming widely available throughout EMEA, FreeSpeak Cell brings cellular-enabled intercom capabilities to broadcasters and production teams across the region. You can also explore Avalon, Clear-Com’s new IP-only base station, which supports FreeSpeak wireless systems, HelixNet digital partyline, and V-Series keypanels in a compact 1RU platform. Arcadia 4.1, meanwile, introduces native IFB support and compatibility with AES67-enabled panels, providing additional flexibility for broadcast and live production environments.

dzjinius | 1.B01

This is the all-in-one production management platform for media and entertainment. It replaces fragmented point solutions with a single, integrated environment that gives every team member one version of the truth across every production they run. Whether it is drama, entertainment, news, sports or live events, dzjinius brings resource scheduling, production scheduling, drama scheduling, scriptwriting, budgeting, auditions and casting, call sheets and reporting into a single integrated platform, so that every team member works from the same up-to-date information.

EIZO | 7.D33

EIZO – the Japanese word for ‘image’ – specialises in high-end monitoring solutions for a variety of professional applications. For film and television production, its ColorEdge range is a highlight, offering colour-accurate monitors trusted for editing, colour grading and VFX work. Visitors to the stand can expect to see the latest displays and colour management solutions aimed at everyone from owner-operators to high-end post-production facilities.

Flanders Scientific | 7.A21

Flanders Scientific will showcase the latest additions to its GaiaColor platform and XMP C Series at IBC 2026. The new GaiaColor Analyzer expands the GaiaColor ecosystem with powerful display analysis, verification and reporting tools, complementing GaiaColor AutoCal to provide an efficient end-to-end calibration and validation workflow. Also on display, the compact XMP C Series delivers reference-grade UHD HDR monitoring for control rooms, flypacks and OB trucks, combining exceptional image quality with quad-view monitoring, extensive remote control options and flexible professional connectivity for demanding broadcast and live production environments.

Godox | 12.H38

Founded in 1993, Godox has become a lighting equipment expert and innovator of gear for videographers, filmmakers and still photographers. Pop by to explore the range, including the latest launches, the PL600RF and PL1200RF, for your consideration. The new PL series is designed for high-end film production, commercial advertising and studio environments. Powered by Godox’s latest PaletteLab full-spectrum colour engine, the fixtures deliver highly accurate colour reproduction, improved spectral consistency and enhanced rendering of skin tones and complex lighting scenes. The PaletteLab system also introduces three adjustable curves (Godox Curve, Blackbody Curve and Daylight Curve), offering flexible control for different production workflows.

Hawk-Woods | 12.H15

Visitors will be able to explore Hawk-Woods’ complete G-Lok range, including the original 26V batteries and the highly anticipated new 14.4V Mini G-Lok models. Unlike the large, heavy battery bricks many camera operators are familiar with, the Mini G-Lok batteries are designed around the same principle Hawk-Woods is known for: delivering reliable power in a smaller, lighter and more travel-friendly form. This helps reduce the overall weight of a camera rig, particularly as additional accessories begin to build up. The team will also showcase the Hybrid G-Lok Chargers, capable of charging both Hawk-Woods 14.4V and 26V G-Lok batteries. They’re an ideal solution for rental houses and production teams looking to simplify their charging set-up and reduce the number of separate chargers required. In addition, Hawk-Woods will unveil the incredibly compact G-Lok Sandwich Plate, packed with useful features and connectivity options. We’re particularly excited about the flexibility it offers camera operators without adding unnecessary bulk.

Marshall | 10.C11

Marshall Broadcast & Pro AV is a manufacturer of professional video solutions for broadcast, streaming and integrated AV. Best known for its PTZ and compact POV cameras, as well as production monitors, the company provides products for a wide range of applications, from TV studios and live events to corporate, education and houses of worship, with an emphasis on dependable performance and straightforward integration.

Mnemonica | 5.A31

Founded in Rome in 2015, Mnemonica is the European studio-grade content hub for the whole film and HETV industry. It has brought to screen more than 1200 productions seen on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO, Sky and Paramount+, and serves as the official submission platform for the Venice International Film Festival. Fulfilling its original mission, the company lands at IBC with Mnemonica TRE: Production + Archive + Distribution, which provides rightsholders with complete data control. Full lifecycle: from pre-production to long-term preservation. Full freedom: unlimited users, no feature paywalls, full mobile access. Gold-standard security: TPN Gold Shield and ISO 27001 certified.

NEEWER | 12.A35

NEEWER is a leading provider of photo, video and content creation equipment, trusted by creators worldwide for over 20 years. From pro lighting and flashes to camera accessories, audio solutions and smartphone filmmaking gear, NEEWER offers innovative products that combine performance, reliability and exceptional value. Visit the booth to experience the latest product launches and catch hands-on demonstrations.

PTZOptics | 1.B07

PTZOptics provides high-quality, easy-to-use PTZ and fixed video cameras, remote management and control software, advanced automation tools, and visual reasoning and AI technology integration solutions. With a wide range of camera options, coupled with voice- and vision-based intelligence, PTZOptics serves traditional broadcast and enterprise AV, as well as video applications for a variety of sectors.

Sigma | 12.C19

​For years, cinematographers have had to choose between the convenience of AF stills lenses and the usability of traditional cine lenses without AF. Sigma is one of the first major manufacturers to bridge that gap with purpose-built AF cinema zooms, particularly as cameras like the Sony Burano and FX series have made AF increasingly acceptable on professional sets. Both have fast maximum apertures for excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth-of-field. Don’t miss all this and more at SIGMA’s IBC booth.

Sony | 13.A10, 13.D201, 2.G111

Sony is back with a huge kit showcase, including the Cinema Line FX5 camera, RIALTO 65 – an image sensor block expanding VENICE 2 to 65mm format – and the SRG-AS10 PTZ auto-framing camera. The new HDC-R Series system cameras deliver reference-quality imaging for live production, alongside Moxela and software-based workflows powered by DMF architecture, reinforcing Sony’s leadership in software-defined broadcast. News production includes an expanded transmitter ecosystem and a content provenance demonstration, while spatial content production solutions, including OCELLUS V2 and XYN, sit alongside Cinematic Live’s colour-matched Cinema Line and HDC cameras. On the show floor, Sony leads two theatre talks: A Software Revolution, on the Barclays Women’s Super League’s software-defined broadcast journey; and The New Frontier, redefining multicamera virtual production.

Strada | 7.A60 (with OWC)

Sharing a stand with storage specialist OWC, Strada will be displaying its remote media collaboration platform, which enables editors, producers and clients to review high-resolution footage without uploading media to the cloud. New for IBC is a major update introducing integrated commenting and an enhanced mobile experience, making it easier to review cuts and provide feedback from anywhere. Visitors can also learn more about the new Strada/OWC offering, which bundles Strada licences with selected OWC storage.

Vocas | 12.D21

At IBC, Vocas will present a focused range of camera-support and optical-control solutions for cinema, broadcast and high-end production. Taking centre stage is the new EL-40 Eyepiece Loupe. Designed for critical monitoring, it transforms a compatible LCD into a magnified, glare-free viewfinder, with precise focus adjustment, magnetic quick-release and flip-up touchscreen access. The stand will also feature the Lightweight Base Plate, a universal 15mm shoulder-support platform with VCT-14 compatibility and adjustable rail height, alongside the MB-260 Matte Box. Despite its compact form, the MB-260 supports professional filter formats and can be expanded with rail support, masks, flags and a swing-away configuration. 

This article appears in the August/September 2026 issue of Definition