🎤 IBC2026 Unveils Conference Program for 2026 Edition

The three-day conference will take place at the RAI Amsterdam convention center from September 11 to 13, 2026, gathering leading visionaries from across the global media industry.

The lineup of confirmed speakers includes top executives from the world’s largest brands, such as BBC Studios, CNN, FIFA, Google, ITV, Netflix, Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), UEFA, Warner Bros. Discovery, YouTube, and others.

Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of the Debate

The integration of AI across all stages of media production will serve as a cross-cutting theme throughout the conference. Opening the program is a keynote address by Alyne van de Velde, Founder and CEO of Particle 6. Having created the virtual AI actress Tilly Norwood, she will use this case study to explore the impact of algorithms on creativity, copyright, and production workflows. Dedicated technical sessions will focus on the deployment of generative and predictive tools in news broadcasting and workflow optimization.

The presentations of key technological leaders are expected to draw significant delegate attention:

• Anna Mallett, Vice President of Production at Netflix, will share insights on scaling international and virtual production, cloud-based post-production, and the deployment of AI assistants.
• Alex Haralambides, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at CNN, will present his vision for how news will be delivered and consumed in the near future.

Sports, Creators, and Market Consolidation

The sports segment will bring together representatives from FIFA, Liga Portugal, OBS, UEFA, and the UK Women’s Super League. Speakers will discuss new rights distribution models, fan base monetization through interactive data, and the technical challenges of executing highly complex, real-time broadcasts.

The section dedicated to the creator economy will be opened by renowned media analyst Evan Shapiro, followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from BBC Studios Digital Brands, Snap, Tubi, and Sidemen Entertainment. In parallel, an advertising track will see executives from Banijay, Vice Media Group, Vinted, and M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment Europe discuss how modern brands are transforming into media entities in their own right.

“The competitive landscape is shifting rapidly, and the consolidation of media assets is a reality that every major player must confront,” notes Clare Enders, Founder of Enders Analysis, who will deliver a presentation on market mergers and acquisitions.

The program will also address the broadcasting industry’s transition to all-IP architecture, cybersecurity, content distribution, and the fight against deepfakes through content authenticity verification technologies.

The business conference will run alongside the broader IBC2026 technology exhibition, which continues through September 14.