STVFORUM丨Technic Innovation for Smart Broadcasting and Audiovisual+ Scenarios

The swift evolution of cutting-edge technology has outlined a new blueprint for building all-media channels, along with smart broadcasting transitions from digitization to intelligent development. The STVFORUM, themed "Technic Innovation for Smart Broadcasting and Audiovisual+ Scenarios," was held on June 20th. During the forum, guests delivered keynote speeches on topics such as future broadcasting planning, AI content generation, big data construction, and the trend of ultra-high definition, exploring the far-reaching effects of technological innovation on the future broadcasting ecosystem.

 Forward-Thinking Ideas to Address Contemporary Challenges

2023 marks the beginning of comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The 20th National Congress has defined the development direction of the new era, the new journey, the cultural powerhouse, and the technology-driven nation. As per the guests' opinions, the present broadcasting and television sector is grappling with the integrated application of various emerging technologies such as AI, media integration, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain. We are now witnessing a remarkable convergence in technological innovation, particularly with the advent of AI technologies such as ChatGPT, which is spearheading an unprecedented global expansion.

Sun Suchuan, Deputy Director-General and First-Class Inspector of the Science and Technology Department of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA)

Over the years, the STVFORUM, held as part of the Shanghai TV Festival, has played a proactive role in promoting technological progress and development in the broadcasting industry. Sun Suchuan, the Deputy Director-General and First-Class Inspector of the Science and Technology Department of the NRTA, held that the theme of this year's STVFORUM aptly captures the current trajectory of the industry's development. From a higher perspective, the national authorities have already directed the industry's course of development. "The NRTA has formulated a strategic plan for the future development of television aimed at 2035, and a medium and long-term scientific and technological development plan for broadcasting and television, as well as online audio-visual content," said Sun. She opined that this complex system engineering project needs to be advanced step by step. "We need to establish a new development pattern for broadcasting, television, and the internet by implementing six primary technological measures, including technology, science, data, security, risk prevention, and coordination."

 Sun also proposed that contemporary challenges should be addressed using forward-thinking ideas. In the future, Chinese broadcasting and television will present six characteristics: channel customization, diverse carrier presentation, immersive audio-visual experience, intelligent services, humanized interaction, and a seamless network experience. Only by aligning with these trends can the broadcasting and television industry fully integrate into the digital lives of the people.

Shanghai’s Broadcasting Industry on a Fast Track

Luo Yi, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and Shanghai Municipal Administration of Radio and Television

During the forum, Luo Yi, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Radio and Television, remarked that the STVFORUM of the Shanghai TV Festival, with its farsighted and realistic themes, plays a crucial role in leading and promoting the high-speed development of the broadcasting and television industry.

Luo pointed out that the year 2023 holds immense significance for the digital advancement of the broadcasting and television sector, encompassing the transformation and modernization of smart broadcasting, as well as the comprehensive pursuit of high-quality and rapid growth in broadcasting. To accomplish their transformation and reform goals, radio and television institutions, together with relevant technology enterprises, must persistently drive the deepening of media integration. Specifically, in Shanghai, by the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan," it is planned to build SMG (Shanghai Media Group) into a leading organization of the new mainstream media group. The city aims to cultivate more than 15 production-leading enterprises with various ownership forms, nurture about three internationally renowned program production and operation enterprises, foster approximately four leading enterprises in the field of "5G + Internet" sports and entertainment services, and establish a new 5G network video industry ecosystem. The construction of Shanghai's broadcasting industry has fully entered the fast track.

"According to the current statistical caliber, the annual growth rate of broadcasting and television and the network audio-visual industry is over 15%. It is expected to achieve a breakthrough in the field of smart broadcasting construction, further play a leading role in driving development, and build a new integrated development landscape of the Yangtze River Delta," said Luo.

 Chen Yuren, Deputy President of SMG and President of Shanghai Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers

Chen Yuren, Deputy President of SMG and President of the Shanghai Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers, stated that in the era of audiovisual+ media, the digital economy has redefined myriad industries. In recent years, SMG has vigorously advanced the digital transformation of the station's group through the core development concept of "audiovisual +", realizing the digital regeneration of SMG's value. To this end, SMG must adhere to three aspects: Firstly, insist on the professionalism and long-termism of news as the basis of the station, maintaining the evolution capability of content production; Secondly, persist in the professionalism and long-termism of broadcasting traditions, maintaining the evolution capability of audio-visual links with new technology to spur new applications; Lastly, adhere to the professionalism and long-termism of the cultural main business, maintaining the evolution capability of the all-media cultural industry ecosystem.

  China's Broadcasting Industry Advancing by Leaps and Bounds

 Jiang Wenbo, Member of the Editorial Committee of China Media Group (CMG)

We are living in an era where broadcasting technology evolves rapidly. In the short span of a few years, China's broadcasting construction has achieved remarkable results that have caught the world's attention. When talking about the planning of ultra-high-definition construction in 2018, Jiang Wenbo, a member of the Editorial Committee of CMG, said, "Looking back now, the goals proposed at that time have been realized." He further explained, "For example, we proposed to do 8K video experiments at that time, and now we have used 8K for the live broadcast of the Winter Olympics."

 Peng Wensheng, Deputy Chief Editor of China Broadcast Network

Peng Wensheng, Deputy Chief Editor of China Broadcast Network, is also a witness to the rapid development of China's broadcasting industry in recent years. He said that in 2020, the national cable network had completed its integration and established the China Broadcast Network. This entity serves as the national cable network operator, changing the previous situation where local cable networks operated independently. The integration of the cable network and the construction of broadcasting and television 5G have advanced almost simultaneously. In 2022, the mobile company of China Broadcast Network was established, realizing the opening of its 5G.

  Deng Xiangdong, Deputy Director of the Radio and Television Information Network Center of the NRTA

Complementing the leaps and bounds in broadcasting hardware is the continuous improvement of software mechanisms. Deng Xiangdong, Deputy Director of the Radio and Television Information Network Center of the NRTA, discussed the construction of the broadcasting evaluation system in recent years, stating: "A few years ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping specifically issued important instructions and directives, demanding resolute rectification of prominent issues in the field of audience ratings. In response, the Administration's Party Committee deployed the construction of a comprehensive evaluation big data system for program ratings." Currently, the construction of a comprehensive evaluation system for integrated television channels, specialized television channels, and integrated performance indicator systems for converged media centers has achieved initial results, ensuring the healthy development of China's broadcasting industry.

 The Evolution of Broadcasting Profoundly Impacts People's Lives

 The rapidly developing Chinese broadcasting industry has brought tangible audio-visual enjoyment to the people and serves better their lives. Jiang Wenbo stated that China has now entered the ultra-high-definition era, which has brought epic imagery with more impactful effects distinct from high-definition, including color and dynamic range. This year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala was a "vertical screen gala," watchable simply by picking up a smartphone, and was produced in ultra-high definition. "The viewership of this year's Spring Festival Gala has significantly improved from last year, with 130 million people during the live broadcast last year and 190 million people this year, an increase of nearly 50%. The audience was satisfied with the overall quality of the ultra-high definition."

 Wang Yanfeng, Assistant Director of Shanghai AI Laboratory and Deputy Dean of the AI Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University

The most popular recent topic has to be the development of ChatGPT. As a large general model, ChatGPT is also having a significant impact on the development of Chinese broadcasting. Wang Yanfeng, the Assistant Director of the Shanghai AI Laboratory and Deputy Dean of the AI Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said that the entire large model is a platform that is highly intensive in both manpower and capital, resembling more of an "arms race" in the AI industry. Wang Yanfeng pointed out that what China is developing at this stage is a large domain-specific model under a new transformation, which has improved its professional nature. Compared to the general knowledge content of large general models, large domain-specific models have more professional capabilities. And these large models are profoundly impacting the future construction of Chinese broadcasting.

 Sun Zili, Deputy Director of the Imaging Solutions and Mobile Communications Market Department, Sony (China) Co., Ltd.

In the era of audiovisuals+, with the rapid evolution of new technologies, Sun Zili, Deputy Director of the Imaging Solutions and Mobile Communications Market Department at Sony (China) Co., Ltd., discussed the theme of "variation" and "constancy" from the perspective of traditional broadcasting enterprises. "Firstly, under the influence of IP and networking, we aim to connect isolated islands in traditional production; this is what we want to change. What remains constant is our commitment to high quality and high security," Sun stated.

  Dr. Zhang Xiaoming, Vice President of Xperi China Region

Dr. Zhang Xiaoming, Vice President of the Xperi China Region, introduced the new broadcasting technology currently under development, "IMAX Enhanced 4K HDR". "This will bring earth-shaking changes to the lives of the people," said Zhang Xiaoming. He elaborated that this technology at present is the perfect amalgamation of sound and image. With the aid of IMAX's signature stunning visuals and sound characteristics, it presents the most immersive viewing experience in a home entertainment environment. It concurrently encompasses three features: exclusive content, playback optimization, and premium certified devices.