List of Candidates for IBC Innovation Prizes Unveiled
The technology landscape in the media and broadcast industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the 2025 IBC Innovation Awards highlight some of the most innovative projects that are reshaping the sector. The finalists for this prestigious award have been revealed, and the winners will be announced on September 14, 2025, at the IBC Conference in RAI Amsterdam.
The nominees span five categories: Content Creation, Content Distribution, Content Everywhere, Social Impact, and Environment & Sustainability. In the Content Creation category, notable finalists include MBC, Pixtree, and SK Telecom, who have developed an AI-assisted video remastering system for Korean broadcast content. NBC Olympics has also made the cut for their IP-based multiviewer editorial workflow, which was utilised during the gymnastics coverage at Paris 2024. Another noteworthy entry is NHK Japan's "Deep Ocean: Kingdom of the Coelacanth," the world's first group video footage of coelacanths in 8K resolution with 22.2 surround sound.
The Environment & Sustainability category showcases projects that prioritise energy efficiency and resource conservation. SK Telecom, in collaboration with Pixtree, has integrated an NPU-based live UHD upscaler into SK Broadband's IPTV service, serving 6.7 million subscribers while achieving an impressive 80 percent energy reduction and preventing 3,728 tons of CO2eq emissions annually.
The Social Impact category features projects that leverage technology to create positive change. One such project is the Mobile Justice app, developed with the American Civil Liberties Union, which enables citizens to document law enforcement encounters in real-time and upload evidence for review, with technical partners Jotto, Quadrant2, and Wowza.
The IBC Innovation Awards recognise collaborative projects that address real-world challenges and deliver transformative innovation. Claro tv+ and Omni Devices, for instance, have developed a remote control featuring a button for a user's favourite team crest, directing them to a live game across any channel or app, with technical support from Gracenote and Teleidea Middleware.
In the Content Distribution category, Nanlux's Evoke 5000B delivers a similar output to a 20,000W tungsten light from a 5,000W LED draw, reducing energy use by approximately 75 percent and using battery support. Pilipinas Live Shorts, an OTT streaming platform by Cignal, has created a vertical infinite-scroll featuring UGC, using AI for content identification, clipping, reformation, and incorporation into the feed, powered by Quickplay Shorts and Twelve Labs.
The winners will be announced on September 14, 2025, at 6pm CEST on the main stage of the IBC Conference. Other finalists include Sky, OBS, France Télévisions, and NHK, who are nominated across multiple categories. The Media Talent Manifesto, an initiative supporting neurodivergent professionals in the media and broadcast sector, is also among the nominees, with supporters including Deluxe, Molinare, and Vizrt.
Stay tuned for more detailed information on the winning projects after September 14, 2025. The upcoming awards ceremony promises to showcase the most groundbreaking innovations in the media and broadcast industry.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3]
The collaboration between MBC, Pixtree, and SK Telecom in the development of an AI-assisted video remastering system is showcased under the Content Creation category at the 2025 IBC Innovation Awards. The Social Impact category features the Mobile Justice app, a project developed with the American Civil Liberties Union, which leverages technology to document law enforcement encounters.
The Environment & Sustainability category highlights SK Telecom's project with Pixtree, integrating an NPU-based live UHD upscaler, serving millions of subscribers while achieving significant energy savings and reducing CO2 emissions. This project will be competing alongside other innovative ventures, such as the Media Talent Manifesto, an initiative supporting neurodivergent professionals in the media and broadcast sector.
