It was almost two decades ago. After a dozen times at the International Broadcasting Convention I felt ready to summarize the trends and predict the future. “TV and the internet are linked forever now” I pronounced as if I had discovered a new continent. Checking out the trailer for my then TV show summary, other than cringing at the old fashioned editing and abuse of transition effects, it is impressive how little has changed.
Television is a “traditional” business. We are right to make fun of so many things about it which don’t change. It is true that young people have moved away, relying on YouTube, Twitch or Netflix more. But take it from an analyst who has often used click-baity “X is dead” titles. Television will never die. Neither will Facebook which many people enjoy attacking for the drops in younger audiences lately. In fact, unless we wipe Homo Sapiens off the planet, nothing will “die”. It will simply adapt.
And that is why IBC is such a great show. Constantly changing and looking for the new angle. If you want to call it “media” instead of “television” shoot away. “Digital cinema” instead of “the movies” yeah, whatever. You will always need something we now call “content” and you will always need people and technologies to make it, convert it, cut it up, promote and distribute it. Unless you want to lock down on a specific angle, as long as people live and communicate, there will be a thriving party at Amsterdam or wherever these people meet to discuss how to move ahead in their craft.
Let television and this trade show be a lesson to all of us.
.
The www.amydv.gr team will be at Amsterdam in force as usual this year. Get an agenda, do the business.