23 February 2018
We’ve updated Members of the Association for International Broadcasting with news of some of the work and activities that the AIB is undertaking at present.
From elections to the AIB’s Executive Committee – which provides governance and strategic direction for the Association – to cyber security, European channel licensing to the AIBs 2018, there’s a raft of initiatives and work underway that every Member benefits from.
You can read the update here – and if your company is not yet a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting, now is the time to enrol and take advantage of all the work that we carry out for our Members across the world.
1 December 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting has been working on the issue of Brexit since the referendum in 2016, gathering intelligence on the potential impact that AIB Members will feel.
A report into the playout and distribution sectors of the UK broadcasting industry has now been published to help inform debate and discussion, and to assist parliamentarians and others involved in Brexit negotiations.
“We’ve been monitoring developments around Brexit for the past 18 months,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Since so many channels serving audiences across the European Union are based in the UK, licensed by the UK media regulator Ofcom, it is vital that there’s a flow of relevant, accurate and detailed information about the international media industry. The AIB, with almost a quarter of a century’s experience in the sector, is extremely well-placed to offer insight and intelligence to those empowered to make decisions. We are also determined to help our Members who may be impacted by Brexit. This new report is evidence of the work we’re doing to help and assist.”
The report includes data sets and information compiled from the AIB’s research and from its Members involved in playout and distribution. The report has been submitted to the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Copies are available to AIB Members, although detailed financial data are redacted to protect confidentialities. Contact the AIB Secretariat to obtain a copy.
26 October 2017
Factual TV, radio and online programme producers from Australia, Qatar, the USA, Turkey, the UK and France are coming together to share knowledge and ideas at the second #iamabroadcaster The AIBs Masterclass in London on 2 November.
Finalists in the 13th AIBs – the annual international competition for factual productions – are taking time out of their schedules to meet colleagues and others with an interest in factual programme-making at the informal, interactive half-day event.
“We are privileged that each year, the world’s top producers share their work with the Association for International Broadcasting in our awards,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “We are even more fortunate that many travel to London to share in our celebration of success at our gala awards event. We want to make sure that they get the best possible value from their trip and that’s why we’ve introduced the Masterclass. It’s a way of helping to share experiences and develop new concepts, and anyone is welcome to come to the Masterclass to learn and exchange ideas.”
This year’s Masterclass takes place on Thursday 2 November at the M by Montcalm, City Road, London EC1V 1JH. Panellists taking part come from TRT WORLD, AFP, Al Jazeera, the BBC, Blue Chalk Media, BFBS, Media Stockade, Brinkworth Films and Afshar Films.
The panellists will be discussing their work on investigative documentaries, human interest stories, and branded content, among other areas.
“The #iamabroadcaster Masterclass is a unique event,” says Spanswick. “Rarely do so many factual story-tellers from so many parts of the world come together to discuss their work with their peers and others who are perhaps interested in starting a career in factual television or radio. The Association for International Broadcasting is honoured to be hosting this event and helping to develop new relationships in the factual programme-making industry.”
There will also be a presentation from UK-headquartered Celebro Media about its innovative OB unit in a box.
The half-day Masterclass is free-to-attend for everyone who is taking part in the AIBs awards gala dinner on 1 November. There is a modest fee for others and a specially-reduced rate for those in full-time education.
Full details on the #iamabroadcaster The AIBs Masterclass are available online at http://theaibs.tv.
12 October 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting has worked in the global media business for almost a quarter of a century. As the organisation moves towards its 25th anniversary in 2018, we’re making more of our archive of conversations, magazines and video footage available.
The latest video we have included in our conference archive includes highlights of the 2004 AIB Global Media Business conference in Prague. This was hosted at the then headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty which, before the fall of the Soviet Union, was the Czechoslovak parliament building. Guests attended from across the world, and the subjects under discussion ranged from “fake news” (before that name was coined), to the need for technology companies to adopt the mindset of broadcasters, through to media in the Arab World.
Looking back at this conference, it’s clear that the AIB brings together experts on subjects that are at the cutting edge of the global media industry. Have a look and see what you think – and you can read about the event in the conference report that we published in The Channel, our global media magazine.
22 September 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting is delighted to reveal the AIBs 2017 shortlist.
2017 has been a record year for this competition that rewards the best factual productions across video, audio and online. The AIBs are truly international, with work submitted from every continent.
It has been a tremendous challenge for us to deliver this shortlist, as so many – if not all – of the entries deserve recognition. The productions included in this year’s final selection are remarkable, adopting a wide range of techniques to cover a wide range of subjects.
Our global panel of judges have now received the productions that they are going to evaluate. They now face an even tougher challenge than our long and shortlisting teams.
On Wednesday 1 November, we will announce the overall winners in each category at our gala awards night at LSO St Luke’s in London. Hosted by Matthew Amroliwala from BBC World News, this is a meeting point for producers, editors, journalists and executives from all over the world and provides an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas in a collaborative and celebratory atmosphere. The following day, 2 November, we will hold our #iamabroadcaster The AIBs Masterclass. This offers the chance to learn from colleagues and peers in the international factual media industry in a half-day event that helps share knowledge and foster cooperation.
Places are already being booked for both events and we’re looking forward to another sell-out gala evening and Masterclass. Details of how to book places at the AIBs gala awards night and the #iamabroadcaster Masterclass are online at http://theaibs.tv/the-aibs-2017-gala-dinner/.
We wish good luck to all our finalists and look forward to welcoming you to your celebration of success in November!
12 September 2017
The Longlist for the 13th annual AIBs – the international awards for factual content, is announced today, Tuesday 12 September 2017
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Factual content from countries as diverse as Papua New Guinea, Denmark, the UK and Argentina
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18 distinct categories to reward factual video, audio and online productions
From the hundreds of entries, the Association for International Broadcasting’s shortlisting team has narrowed down the list of contenders across the 18 programme categories.
“This year’s range, breadth and depth of entries is astonishing,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “The energy demonstrated by the programme producers around the world is astonishing. We have seen and heard remarkable stories told imaginatively and sensitively – despite many being truly difficult and disturbing subjects.”
“To illustrate the range of work entered, there are political stories from the USA, Philippines, North Korea and the Maldives,” says Clare Dance, the AIBs Co-ordinator. “Deeply moving personal stories have come from Korea, Japan, the UK and Denmark. And then there’s news coverage of the major events of the past year.”
The international spread of entries is reinforced this year, with work from almost 40 countries submitted. Work has been submitted for the first time from Italy and Papua New Guinea, while increased numbers of productions have come from Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Inclusion on the AIBs 2017 Longlist indicates that the production is among the world’s best factual content produced for television, radio or online platforms.
International judges
The AIBs 2017 Shortlist will be announced on 22 September as the panel of 55 jurors in more than 20 countries starts work on the final judging of entries.
The 2017 winners will be announced at a gala evening at LSO St Luke’s in London on 1 November, hosted by Matthew Amroliwala (pictured left) presenter and journalist at BBC Global News.
The leading awards for quality factual productions
First awarded in 2005, the AIBs are recognised as one of the leading prizes for factual productions in any language. The list of winners includes the world’s leading broadcasters and production companies, and notable personalities including Sir David Attenborough, Larry King and Christiane Amanpour.
See the Longlist here
