Ever wonder why some corporate events feel like live TV while others struggle with lag and dropouts? The secret isn’t just in the cameras or the control software. It starts with the network.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Corporate town halls, university lectures and hybrid events today demand broadcast-grade production values. The network infrastructure powering these experiences has never been more critical.
When enterprise video production quality rivals what you see on television and it happens over your existing network, you’re witnessing AV Broadcast. It has emerged as the second-largest technology market within ProAV, trailing only conferencing and collaboration. As the AV industry accelerates toward $420 billion by 2028 (AVIXA IOTA report Q3 2025), organizations are discovering that delivering broadcast-quality experiences needs intelligent, high-performance networks, while dedicated broadcast infrastructure is optional.
The transformation is happening because expectations have fundamentally shifted. Audiences who watch professionally produced content on every device now expect the same quality from corporate communications, educational content, and live events. The question is how to deliver broadcast-quality experiences efficiently, reliably, and without the complexity of traditional broadcast workflows.
The answer to that “how” lies in a fundamental infrastructure transformation. The shift from proprietary cabling to AV over IP means video, audio, and control signals now travel over standard network infrastructure. This convergence creates unprecedented opportunities. This is where network infrastructure becomes critical. As AV systems shift from proprietary hardware to software-defined, network-based platforms, the network itself becomes the production backbone. NETGEAR has been at the forefront of enabling this transformation.
AV Broadcast is a fundamental rethinking of tools for a broader user base, not a watered-down version of broadcast. Success requires vendors to make three critical shifts and each one depends on intelligent, high-performance network infrastructure.
PTZ cameras are now ubiquitous, enabling small teams to produce multi-camera events without the need for dedicated camera operators. But hardware simplification is only part of the equation. Control interfaces must be reimagined for users who think in terms of “make this look good” rather than “adjust the gamma curve.” Software-defined platforms with template-based workflows, drag-and-drop logic, and intelligent automation are becoming the standard.
The Network Enabler: These simplified workflows only work when the underlying network delivers consistent, reliable performance. NETGEAR AV switches embody this same intuitive design philosophy with pre-programmed AV profiles that optimize network settings for specific AV-over-IP platforms. A deep networking expertise isn’t required. Instead of manually configuring QoS, IGMP snooping, and multicast parameters, operators simply select the appropriate profile for their AV system, and the switch automatically applies the optimal configuration. Combined with PoE++ capabilities that deliver power and multi-gigabit connectivity through a single cable, NETGEAR AV makes network infrastructure as intuitive as the production tools running on top of it.
The integration of previously separate hardware functions into unified, modular platforms is reducing rack clutter while ensuring interoperability. This shift enables a university to reconfigure a lecture hall into a broadcast studio without rewiring, and a corporate campus to route content between buildings using its existing IT infrastructure.
The Network Enabler: Our high-performance switches are purpose-built for AV-over-IP workloads, with capabilities that traditional IT switches simply can’t match:
The market is moving beyond video delivery to richer interaction. Immersive LED displays in stadiums, watch-together apps for distributed audiences, and dynamic scheduling tools for pop-up channels represent the new frontier. AV Broadcast is shifting from content production to ecosystem design, where the goal is to create an experience that invites participation and connection.
The Network Enabler: Interactive experiences demand network infrastructure that can handle bidirectional traffic flows, multiple simultaneous streams, and real-time responsiveness. NETGEAR’s managed switches provide the visibility and control needed to ensure quality of experience across diverse endpoints. .
The message is clear: AV Broadcast users want the full power of broadcast technology, adapted to their context. That means streamlined interfaces and multi-purpose environments rather than broadcast-scale capital investments.
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