At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic introduced groundbreaking advancements in its video appliances and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. These enhancements, including a next-generation media server and AI-driven innovations, aim to streamline video workflows while reducing operational costs for broadcasters, streamers, and service providers.
Gil Rudge, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Americas Sales for Harmonic’s Video Business, expressed the company’s commitment to providing effective monetization solutions in today’s IP- and AI-driven media landscape. “At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic is bringing practical, readily deployable solutions that help media companies monetize more effectively,” Rudge stated, emphasizing the potential for customers to minimize total cost of ownership (TCO) and uncover new revenue opportunities.
Next-Generation Video Appliances Enhance Operational Efficiency
Harmonic’s latest video appliances are set to drive operational efficiency for broadcasters worldwide. The company unveiled the next generation of its Spectrum X media server, which simplifies video ingest and playout functions. This innovation significantly lowers the total cost per channel for broadcast delivery.
Further supporting broadcasters in their transition to DTV+ and ATSC 3.0, the XOS Advanced Media Processor offers a cost-effective, all-in-one solution. This media processor combines advanced playout and premium encoding capabilities, allowing deployment in headends and at affiliate locations.
Innovative Streaming and Monetization Solutions
Harmonic is driving the evolution of streaming with key innovations designed to enhance monetization. The company showcased its first large production deployment of VOS Media Software on Red Hat OpenShift, which advances its hybrid streaming solution by enabling central management across both private and public cloud environments.
The introduction of server-side in-stream advertising marks a significant step forward. A leading U.S. regional sports network is now utilizing this solution, which automatically triggers ads during live games, increasing monetization without disrupting the viewer experience. Additionally, a new in-house server-side multiview solution within Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS can be combined with in-stream ads, creating opportunities for monetizing multiview channels and boosting revenue.
AI-powered workflows are another significant focus for Harmonic, bringing real-world benefits to media companies. The company is set to unveil a new AI orchestration service at the NAB Show that aggregates and manages a variety of third-party and in-house AI functions. This service coordinates AI-based processing for live content, manages redundancy, and synchronizes outputs. Customers can easily configure and schedule AI functions through an intuitive user interface.
Additionally, powered by NVIDIA GPU acceleration, Harmonic’s AI service supports advanced server-side HD-to-UHD upscaling, ensuring superior video quality on 4K displays, even when production is limited to full HD.
Moore Macauley, Harmonic’s Chief Technology Officer for the video business, is scheduled to discuss how AI is transforming broadcast and streaming workflows at the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference on April 18, 2026. This presentation will further highlight the impact of AI on the industry and Harmonic’s role in leading this transformation.
As media companies navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, Harmonic’s latest innovations promise to simplify workflows, enhance viewer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams.
