2018 was a year of significant change in the broadcast industry. There was a surge in M&A activity, an increase in the amount of time consumers spent with SVOD and AVOD content and a significant decline in pay-TV subscribers in North America as viewers changed how they watch TV… OTT jumped into the mainstream. There’s even more change in the cards for 2019.

Ooyala’s State of the Broadcast Industry 2019 report (available here) looks at how consumers and the industry are reacting to the changes, takes a look at how technology will impact viewing in the future and also what that means to programming and advertising.

The lesson for traditional broadcasters, the report notes, is to adopt the mindset of a diversified media company – as more programmers and distributors are joining, rather than fighting, the push into OTT.

There’s no doubt subscription and ad-supported OTT services are steadily replacing traditional content delivery, and there’s no end to the opportunity to create connections with a global audience.

The launch of 5G services in 2019 will mean faster and smoother delivery of video, no buffering, higher resolution, and a better, more engaging user experience, especially as more high-value sporting event become available over the top.

For content owners, 2019 could be their best year ever as demand continues to soar – especially for originals. But much of their success could be based on the ability to accelerate the content supply chain while making it more efficient.

Get the State of the Broadcast Industry 2019 report.