10 Growth Opportunities Defining the Future of AV

IN THIS ARTICLE

1. AV over IP Becomes the Default Architecture
2. Broadcast Meets IT Infrastructure
3. The Pixel Explosion in Live Events
4. Video Surveillance Becomes a Strategic Asset
5. Residential AV Demands Enterprise-Grade Networks
6. The Relentless March to Higher Bandwidth
7. Cloud-Managed Digital Signage Takes Off
8. Ecosystem Partnerships Reduce Integration Risk
9. Advanced Support and Managed Services Create Recurring Revenue
10. Emerging Markets Offer Above-Average Growth
Building the Network-Defined Future
More information

1. AV over IP Becomes the Default Architecture

IP-based distribution will jump from 38% of AV deployments in 2025 to 65% by 2030, transforming the $7.1 billion signal routing segment. Every new conference room and classroom now starts with a network infrastructure. The question is no longer whether to adopt AV over IP , but how quickly you can transition.

NETGEAR’s M4250 and M4350 series switches are purpose-built for this transition, with AV-specific features like automatic IGMP configuration, PoE++ power budgets, and single-pane-of-glass management that IT and AV teams can both navigate.

2. Broadcast Meets IT Infrastructure

Broadcasters are migrating to 25Gb and 100Gb networks for uncompressed 4K and 8K workflows under SMPTE ST 2110 standards. While cost per gigabit falls, high-speed ports remain expensive: a 100Gb port costs $8,000 versus $3,000 for 10Gb. The opportunity lies in designing networks that balance performance and cost.

Our M4350 and M4500 series switches deliver precisely-timed switching with built-in PTP support and ultra-low latency, essential for broadcast environments where frame-accurate synchronization isn’t optional.

3. The Pixel Explosion in Live Events

Arena LED walls are jumping from 25 million pixels in 2025 to approaching 1 billion pixels by 2030, a 190% CAGR. Traditional distribution can’t handle this scale. AV over IP is the only viable solution, creating an entirely new category of high-value installations.

We’ve seen this firsthand in major venue deployments where our high-density 10G and 25G switches handle massive video feeds across standard network infrastructure, eliminating the complexity of proprietary distribution systems.

4. Video Surveillance Becomes a Strategic Asset

The $38.4 billion surveillance segment is growing at 7.7% annually, driven by AI analytics and higher-resolution cameras. Organizations now use surveillance to optimize operations, tracking customer flow in retail, monitoring production lines, enhancing safety.

Modern surveillance networks require switches that can handle PoE power for hundreds of cameras while maintaining quality of service for video streams. Our switches deliver up to 90W per port with intelligent power management, ensuring cameras stay online even during peak loads.

5. Residential AV Demands Enterprise-Grade Networks

Residential integrators reported median revenues of $1.1 million in 2024, with 6.1% projected growth. Homeowners expect whole-home audio, 4K streaming, automation, and security on a single network. Structured wiring, PoE, and managed switches are now table stakes.

The residential market increasingly demands enterprise-class reliability in a simplified package. Our solutions bridge this gap with features like quick setup, lifetime warranties, cloud management options, and silent operation suitable for home theaters and media rooms.

6. The Relentless March to Higher Bandwidth

Corporate environments are moving from 1Gb to 10Gb, while broadcast shifts to 100Gb. Though cost per gigabit decreases, total capacity demand grows faster. AV-optimized switches with features like IGMP snooping and PTP timing command premium prices by solving problems generic IT switches can’t.

NETGEAR switches are designed specifically for AV workflows, automatically handling multicast traffic without the configuration headaches that plague generic IT switching.

7. Cloud-Managed Digital Signage Takes Off

Modern signage is cloud-managed and distributed across thousands of endpoints in retail, hospitality, and school campuses. Combined with 5G and WiFi 7, this segment is growing at double-digit rates, offering integrators recurring revenue through content management and network optimization & monitoring services.

Our cloud-managed switches through NETGEAR Insight provide remote visibility and control across distributed signage networks, reducing truck rolls and enabling proactive maintenance.

8. Ecosystem Partnerships Reduce Integration Risk

Modern AV-over-IP systems require validated interoperability across cameras, encoders, switches, and software. Companies investing in certification programs and co-branded solutions build trust at scale.

NETGEAR collaborates with nearly 500 ecosystem partners, from Crestron and Extron to Barco and Audinate, to validate workflows before they reach your job site. When you see a NETGEAR switch in a certified solution, you know it’s been tested and proven in real-world deployments.

9. Advanced Support and Managed Services Create Recurring Revenue

As AV becomes network-dependent, uptime becomes non-negotiable. Integrators are offering paid SLAs, remote monitoring, and proactive design support. These high-margin services guarantee performance and smooth out the feast-or-famine cycle of project work.

We support this business model with Network Design services that give integrators access to AV-specialized engineers, extended warranties, and advance hardware replacement. That is the foundation they need to confidently offer their own managed services.

10. Emerging Markets Offer Above-Average Growth

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe are projected to grow 3–5% faster than developed markets. Companies that localize education, build regional partnerships, and provide local support will capture outsized market share as these regions mature.

NETGEAR maintains a global presence with localized support teams, ensuring integrators have access to training and technical resources in their language and time zone.

Building the Network-Defined Future

AV is becoming inseparable from the network. Signal distribution, content management, device control, and analytics all depend on robust IP infrastructure.

At NETGEAR, we’ve built our Pro AV portfolio specifically for this reality. Our switches are engineered from the ground up for AV workflows, with features that matter to integrators: automatic multicast handling, flexible PoE, zero-touch provisioning, and management interfaces that make sense to AV professionals.

Technical mastery of networking protocols is now as important as understanding video formats. Ecosystem partnerships matter as much as product specifications. Global execution capabilities separate market leaders from the rest.

The $70 billion growth opportunity through 2030 will flow to those who recognize these realities. The architecture of the future is being built today.

Ready to explore how NETGEAR can support your AV –over-IP projects? Visit our Pro AV solutions page or connect with our team to discuss your specific requirements.