At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic announced significant advancements in its video appliances and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. The company introduced a next-generation media server alongside several AI-driven innovations aimed at streamlining video workflows and reducing operational costs for broadcasters, streamers, and service providers. These enhancements are designed to simplify workflow complexity, capture new revenue opportunities, and improve both live and on-demand video experiences.
Gil Rudge, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Americas Sales for Harmonic’s Video Business, emphasized the practical nature of these solutions. “At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic is bringing practical, readily deployable solutions that help media companies monetize more effectively in an increasingly IP- and AI-driven environment,” he stated. The company’s offerings aim to minimize total cost of ownership (TCO), unlock meaningful revenue opportunities, and allow customers to remain competitive in an evolving media landscape.
Next Generation of High-Performance Video Appliances
Harmonic’s latest enhancements to its video appliances are set to drive operational efficiency for broadcasters worldwide. The company will showcase its next-generation Spectrum X media server, which simplifies video ingest and playout functions, significantly reducing the total cost per channel for broadcast delivery.
Additionally, the company’s XOS Advanced Media Processor supports broadcasters transitioning to advanced television standards such as DTV+ and ATSC 3.0. This all-in-one solution addresses the needs of broadcasters migrating away from C-Band spectrum, offering a cost-effective appliance that combines advanced playout, premium encoding, and delivery capabilities.
Advancing Streaming and Monetization Strategies
Harmonic is redefining streaming and monetization with key innovations at this year’s show. The company will present its first large production deployment of VOS Media Software running on Red Hat OpenShift. This advancement enhances hybrid streaming solutions with centralized management across both private and public cloud environments.
Notably, Harmonic will also showcase the initial production deployment of server-side in-stream advertising by a leading U.S. regional sports network. This innovative solution automatically triggers in-stream ads during live games, enhancing monetization without disrupting the viewer experience. Furthermore, a new in-house server-side multiview solution can be configured within Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS, boosting fan engagement by allowing monetization through multiview channels.
Harmonic’s AI-powered workflows are set to deliver real-world benefits to customers. The company will introduce a new AI orchestration service that aggregates, orchestrates, maintains, and updates both third-party and in-house AI functionalities. This service coordinates AI-based processing for live content, manages redundancy, and synchronizes outputs. Its intuitive user interface allows customers to easily configure and schedule AI functions as needed.
The AI service, powered by NVIDIA GPU acceleration, also facilitates 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, will provide insights on how AI is transforming broadcast and streaming workflows at the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference on April 18, 2026. Harmonic’s commitment to innovation at the NAB Show highlights its role in shaping the future of media technology, focusing on efficiency, revenue generation, and enhanced viewer experiences.
