At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic announced a series of groundbreaking enhancements to its video appliances and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. These innovations, which include a next-generation media server and AI-driven technologies, aim to streamline video workflows and significantly reduce operational costs for broadcasters, streamers, and service providers.
Gil Rudge, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Americas Sales for Harmonic’s Video Business, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering practical solutions. He stated, “At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic is bringing practical, readily deployable solutions that help media companies monetize more effectively in an increasingly IP- and AI-driven environment.” The new offerings are designed to simplify workflow complexities, capture additional revenue streams, and enhance both live and on-demand video experiences across various platforms.
Next-Generation Video Appliances Unveiled
Harmonic’s latest video appliances are set to enhance operational efficiency for broadcasters worldwide. The company will introduce the next iteration of its Spectrum X media server, which simplifies video ingest and playout functions. This innovation aims to lower the total cost per channel for broadcast delivery significantly.
The XOS Advanced Media Processor plays a crucial role in facilitating broadcasters’ transitions to DTV+ and ATSC 3.0, while also supporting migrations away from C-Band spectrum. This all-in-one solution combines advanced playout capabilities, premium encoding, and delivery options in a single appliance, making it easier for broadcasters to manage their operations effectively.
Innovations in Streaming and Monetization
Harmonic is also redefining streaming and monetization strategies through key innovations. Notably, the company will showcase its first large-scale deployment of VOS Media Software on Red Hat OpenShift. This development enhances its hybrid streaming solution, allowing for centralized management across both private and public cloud environments.
In another significant advancement, Harmonic will demonstrate the first production deployment of server-side in-stream advertising by a prominent U.S. regional sports network. This solution automatically triggers advertisements during live games, increasing monetization opportunities without disrupting the viewer experience.
Additionally, Harmonic has developed a new server-side multiview solution, now integrated within its VOS360 Media SaaS. This feature enhances fan engagement and can be combined with in-stream ads to create new revenue channels.
AI-Driven Workflows for Enhanced Efficiency
Harmonic’s commitment to innovation extends to AI-powered workflows, which provide tangible benefits to media companies. The company will introduce a new AI orchestration service during the NAB Show. This service aggregates and manages best-in-class third-party and in-house AI functions, coordinating AI-based processing for live content while ensuring redundancy and synchronized outputs.
Customers will find the intuitive user interface easy to navigate, allowing for on-the-fly configuration and scheduling of AI functions. This service offers a broadcast-grade, resilient, and fully secured solution that integrates seamlessly with VOS360 Media SaaS, VOS Media Software, XOS, and the updated Spectrum X.
Harmonic’s AI service also utilizes NVIDIA GPU acceleration to support advanced server-side HD-to-UHD upscaling, which enhances video quality on 4K displays, even if the original production is limited to full HD.
Moore Macauley, Harmonic’s Chief Technology Officer for the video business, is scheduled to share insights on the transformative impact of AI on broadcast and streaming workflows at the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference on April 18, 2026.
Harmonic’s latest innovations at the 2026 NAB Show mark a significant step forward in the evolution of broadcasting and streaming, promising to empower media companies to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape.
