Pitches unveiled for Kickstart Day 2024: projects to address biggest challenges in M&E

Collaborative teams across the M&E and broadcast technology sector will present their unique real-world issues that they have identified, proposed testing systems, overall aims and desired solutions to a panel of judges on 6 March at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) London.

Addressing the most current and dynamic challenges the industry faces, Participants and Champions from a range of innovative organisations are set to present their projects which span the themes of: tackling the environmental impact of media consumption; meeting ever-changing audience needs; low latency and XR in live entertainment; disarming fake news; using generative AI in real-time events; rights and permissions in AI talent workflows; an extension of the CAPA Accelerator 2023; and Generative AI in production.

On the day, the Programme Leads will also announce the winning project from the 2023 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme and present a prize to the team.

The 2024 Kickstart Day pitches, in no particular order:

ECOFLOW Energy-Conserving Optimisation for Future-Ready, Low-Impact Online Workflows 

Proposed by Humans Not Robots and Accedo –  Supported by Champions: ITV, BBC and RTL 

This project team aims to tackle the environmental impact of media consumption to determine and demonstrate opportunities to make media more sustainable at major steps of the end-to-end technology supply chain, into a unified user experience.

Evolution of the Control Room: Leveraging XR, Voice and AI for Live Media Production 

Proposed by Champions TRANSMIXR, ITN, with Support from Champions TUS, TV2, TG4, HSLU, TCD, University of Strathclyde 

Building upon the work of last year’s Gallery Agnostic Media Production IBC Accelerator, this new challenge aims to optimise the workflow using XR Technology and AI Solutions, enabling the production team to realise their creative vision without advanced technical expertise. 

Scalable Ultra-Low Latency Streaming for Premium Sports  

Proposed by Comcast 

This project aims to achieve Twitter-equivalent latency and a near-instant playback start using standard existing HTTP streaming technical stack and infrastructure, exploring an end-to-end system comprising an encoder, a latency-optimized origin, and a mix of open source and proprietary DASH players.  

Connecting Live Performances of the Future with Sub-100ms Synchronised Low-Latency AVLM 

Proposed By: D&B Solutions/White Light Studios (PARTICIPANT) and Strathclyde University (CHAMPION); Supported by Champions BBC, University of Strathclyde 

This project aims to develop a solution for delivering all data between venues for dynamically visual and object-based audio live performances - in sync and with ultra-low latency – and enable synchronised and/or distributed performances between multiple locations across the world. 

Design your Weapons in the Fight Against Disinformation 

Proposed by Champions BBC, CBS/Paramount   

This team will look to establish and develop an industry-wide understanding on the challenges and abuses being faced today by all media outlets in identifying misinformation and helping audiences identify trustworthy news, through the most effective interventions and collaboration.

Changing the Game: Predictive Generative AI 

Proposed by Champions Verizon 

To help the M&E industry envision new workflows, this team will attempt to leverage large language models (LLMs), tailored datasets and computer vision housed in a Private 5G network, to enable and generate predictive and authentic video and audio during a live-action event.

Digital Replica Provenance Automation for AI Talent Workflows 

Proposed by HAND Human & Digital 

By offering a distinct and standardised identification framework, this project aims to streamline the authentication process, ensuring reliable verification of real individuals, virtual avatars, and fictional entities, tackling rights and permissions in AI talent workflows in today’s digital landscape.

Connect and Produce Anywhere - Phase II   

Proposed by Champions BBC, SKY Sports, BT Media & Broadcast, DAZN, TV2 and Vodafone  

Following the build and development of an all IP, Edge-first, multi-cloud, multi-software test bed environment in the CAPA Accelerator 2023, the project team is now positioned to implement and road test the solution on some real-world live event production with varying degrees of bandwidth.

Solving the IP Identity Crisis 

Proposed by Atos (Eviden) and BBC – Supported by Champions BBC, EBU, IMG, Solent University 

This Accelerator proposal looks to gather data, test and implement solutions from across the industry to establish current obstacles in media workflows when moving to IP infrastructure within broadcast facilities.

Generative AI in Action 

Proposed by Champions RAI, EBU 

This challenge focuses on using Generative AI for content production and explores the integration and impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) in a production centre environment, revolutionising broadcasters’ workflows.  

HTML-Based Graphics for Multi-Platform Production 

Proposed by Champions TV2 & BBC 

This project aims to develop a modular graphics solution that supports multi-platform, multi-delivery options and synergy between digital and traditional linear broadcast platforms, using industry-standard graphics to achieve brand assurance and the optimal production flow.

AI Audience Validation Assistant (AAVA)

Proposed by Champions Zwart – Supported by Champion BNNVARA  

This project combines extensive audience data with advanced AI to blend and transform content creation, involving the audience in the development process and exploring solutions to turn passive viewers into active contributors through AI-driven personas.