Chris Forrester
Chris Forrester is a well-known broadcasting journalist and industry consultant. He reports on all aspects of broadcasting with special emphasis on content, the business of television and emerging applications. He has a unique knowledge of the international broadcasting scene, having interviewed at length – and frequently – the operational heads of many of the main TV channels and pay-TV platforms, as well as those at the world’s leading satellite operators.
Industry Trends2020 in review: How commercial broadcasters have coped with coronavirus
Advertising revenue reductions have hurt Europe’s commercial broadcasters badly during 2020.
- Industry Trends
2020 in review: The satellite sector’s year to forget
The world’s ‘Big 4’ satellite operators suffered badly during 2020, with the impact of Covid along with a host of other factors combining to create challenging conditions and make 2020 a year to forget for the satellite industry.
- Industry Trends
5G: The space race
There’s set to be a boom in the number of satellites in our skies, as the likes of OneWeb, SpaceX and Project Kuiper compete to provide 5G connectivity in hard to reach areas. But who will win the 5G space race?
- Industry Trends
Satellites: The $500 billion business
Chris Forrester examines the prospects for the next few years for satellite businesses.
- News
Analysis: FCC turns down SES/Intelsat $60bn plan
The FCC has rejected the C-Band Alliance’s plans to repurpose spectrum, leading to a collapse in Intelsat and SES’s share prices. But the battle isn’t over, writes Chris Forrester.
- Industry Trends
Analysis: USA 5G reassignment could be worth $30 billion to sat-operators
The clock is ticking for an agreement between the C-Band Alliance and the FCC over repurposing spectrum for 5G. But there are still some complications, writes Chris Forrester.
- Executive Interviews
Empowering all to thrive in broadcasting
As head of broadcast and entertainment for the UK & Ireland in Google’s Strategic Partnerships team, Justin Gupta, who is also part of IBC’s Content Steering Group, explains how the group has strived for a better gender balance throughout this year’s conference programme.
- Industry Trends
Enthusiasm of 8K
At IBC2019 there were several announcements about the 8K future. Chris Forrester looks at some of the enthusiasm around 8K.
- News
WorldDAB sees connections grow
IBC2019: The world is adopting digital radio, according to Graham Dixon, head of radio at the EBU, who spoke at IBC2019.
- Executive Interviews
Interview: Soumya Sriraman, BritBox
Soumya Sriraman has pushed the SVoD service BritBox to early success across North America. Now as the service owned by the BBC and ITV prepares to launch in its home market, she gives Chris Forrester some insight into how she meets the needs of subscribers.
- Video
Video: HbbTV and ATSC 3.0 sees broadcasters striking back
IBC2019: Where would IBC be without a panel looking at ‘Next Generation TV’ and the threat to conventional broadcasting? IBC 2019 is no different, and this year’s session compared and contrasted HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) and the USA’s ATSC 3.0.
- Video
Global Gamechanger: Gary Shapiro
IBC2019: Gary Shapiro, President/CEO at the Consumer Technology Association and a IBC keynote speaker on Friday, told delegates that technology is a global gamechanger.
- News
BBC NHU: “The pace of change is crazy”
IBC2019: Colin Jackson, senior innovation producer at BBC Studios, and heading up a team at its Bristol Natural History Unit (NHU), wowed delegates at IBC’s Big Screen session ‘Planet innovation: A BBC Studios natural history showcase’.
- News
SES beaming after Microsoft cloud deal
IBC2019: Satellite operator SES has used IBC to update clients about its new partnership with Microsoft’s Azure platform for media-based services for broadcasters.
- Executive Interviews
Seismic challenges for public broadcasters
EBU DG Noel Curran’s career in broadcasting has given him a firm grasp of politics, technology and economics. But with broadcasting changing dramatically, there are challenges ahead.
- Industry Trends
Getting audience measurement – and influence – right
In a multi-platform world viewing figures are ever more important but also more challenging tog gather. Chris Forrester looks at how broadcasters are measuring their audiences.
- News
Russia block means OneWeb faces extra-tough challenge
OneWeb won’t be able broadcast into Russia. But how much will this hinder the satellite company’s plans to roll out a global network?
- Industry Trends
OTT’s temptations are firmly in IBC’s sights
IBC365 looks at how the OTT landscape impacting the strategy of broadcasters worldwide.
- Industry Trends
Content overload, or time for fresh thinking?
As social media and online video snaps up more of the advertising spend, Chris Forrester looks at how the industry is looking to reinvent brand communications with new content models.
- Industry Trends
UHD: 4K is here and now, but what about 8K?
Sales of 4K and UHD devices are set to grow by more than 50% by 2023, with streaming services leading investment into 4K programming.
