Another National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference is in the books, and if anything has changed in the media and entertainment industry, the conference and attendees were there to discuss it. From content evolution to changes in audience preferences to AI being everywhere, to trade uncertainty, it was a topic of conversation at NAB 2025. Official categories included: Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Virtualization, Creator Economy, Sports, and Streaming. If a general conclusion could be drawn, it’s that the legacy media business no longer cuts in today’s market, and to survive these new realities, businesses must rethink how they fit in.
Everything Is Changing
One of the biggest takeaways from NAB is the impact the creator economy is having on the industry. Dozens of panels focused on how individuals and small-team productions have upended traditional business models and economics, attracting large audiences from traditional producers while also siphoning away ad revenues and production contracts. Recognizing this trend, hundreds of exhibitors demonstrated how their products or services support all types of creators while also providing benefits to traditional media companies. The NAB also introduced two new initiatives to support this growing sector: the Creator Council and the Creator Lab.
In a keynote session, media cartographer Evan Shapiro highlighted the extent of the shift, pointing out that by 2027, the creator economy is expected to grow to half a trillion dollars, nearly doubling its value from last year ($250 million). Shapiro, recognizing the difference between the creator economy and influencers, cites their effectiveness in attracting and engaging large audiences without having to deal with “gatekeeper-led content.” His final point was that this new reality presents the M&E industry with two options: embrace it or get left behind.
Market and Regulatory Uncertainty
The current uncertainty in global trade markets and the impact of tariffs on product purchases has cast a significant chill on many exhibitors at NAB. This was especially true for those companies whose products were manufactured or included parts from impacted countries or markets (services are not yet subject to tariffs). Many companies encouraged customers to expedite purchases to take advantage of existing inventories and avoid significant cost increases as tariffs are implemented. Attendees and speakers also expressed concerns about how regulatory changes from the FCC and regulators in other countries might impact children's television programming, the news distortion policy, technical rules (e.g., ATSC 3.0), and TV carriage rules (e.g., non-duplication, and syndicated exclusivity).
Monetization Evolves as Markets Evolve
The continued growth of OTT/FAST and the rapidly expanding creator economy means competition for eyeballs and ads will only become more intense. Evidence of this was on clear display during NAB 2025:
- Traditional Broadcast Disruption: The rise of streaming services and changing viewer habits are challenging traditional broadcast models, necessitating a reimagining of revenue strategies.
- Fragmented Audiences: The audience is increasingly fragmented across linear streaming, on-demand platforms, and traditional broadcast, making it more difficult for advertisers to reach consumers effectively.
- Hybrid Models: Streaming services are increasingly adopting hybrid monetization models, such as AVOD or FAST, to supplement their subscription revenues.
A key component of all of these strategies is high-fidelity metadata. Without it, content marketing, search, and discovery, as well as contextual advertising, are much more difficult to achieve. With it, compliance, brand safety, and audience acceptance increase significantly.
AI Everywhere
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its increasing impact on content creation, marketing, and virtual production were everywhere at NAB 2025. Nearly 300 exhibiting companies from around the world demonstrated products that included or were enhanced by AI across every phase of content production, marketing, advertising, and distribution. Among them, Spherex highlighted its flagship product, SpherexAI, and demonstrated how it is transforming global video compliance and contextual advertising through scene-level intelligence and cultural insight. It also facilitates ad placement where they will resonate and yield better audience results.
The takeaways from NAB 2025 paint a clear picture: the media and entertainment landscape is in constant flux, demanding adaptability and innovation for survival. The undeniable surge of the creator economy, coupled with market and regulatory uncertainties and the evolving monetization models driven by streaming, presents both challenges and opportunities for traditional and new players. Overlaying all of this is the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence, poised to reshape every facet of the industry.
Ultimately, NAB 2025 underscored a fundamental truth: standing still is no longer an option. The future of media and entertainment belongs to those who embrace change, leverage new technologies, and understand the shifting dynamics of both content creation and audience engagement.
