NAB Show New York closed Thursday at the Javits Center after two days of media talks. AI, creators and live sports dominated the conversation.
What We Know: The event drew attendees from 72 countries, and 57% were first-timers. Additionally, 250 exhibitors and sponsors joined 156 speakers across 101 sessions. Meanwhile, specific panels covered AI’s impact on filmmaking costs, creator businesses, live production and the economics of sports rights. Speakers included Apollo’s Aaron Sobel, CNBC’s Alex Sherman, and Christine Cotter of 360i/dentsu. Also featured was NAB’s Curtis LeGeyt, Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky, and Stathletes co-founder Meghan Chayka. In addition, NAB Show New York will co-locate with the SMPTE [Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers] Media Technology Summit in 2027.
What they Said: Karen Chupka, Executive Vice President, Global Connections and Events at NAB: “From new business models to next-gen tools, industry leaders shared how they’re using emerging technology to move their businesses forward. That’s part of the value of bringing the people into the same room who finance content, produce it and develop the technology. They don’t all approach these questions in the same way.”
Aaron Sobel, partner, Apollo Global Management: “If you think about the cost that can come out of the system [filmmaking costs], AI can reduce a budget for a movie 5, 10, 15, 20%. Not today, [but] in a few years.”
What Remains Unclear: Organizers haven’t released full attendance figures yet, though they’ve promised more details in the coming weeks. Additionally, organizers haven’t said how the SMPTE co-location will change the show’s format in 2027.
What It Means: The industry is shifting from debating AI to pricing it in. If Sobel’s forecast holds, cheaper production could reshape who profits from content. While easier tools force creators to prove why their work stands out. Meanwhile, live sports remain the anchor that keeps audiences, advertisers and local newsrooms funded. Additionally, the SMPTE tie-up signals that the business and technical sides of media are converging. As a result, the next few years will likely reward companies that adopt AI wisely and own their audiences.
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