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UWA 2024: A Year in Review 

News & Events
December 5, 2024

 

In 2024, the UWA took another significant step toward advancing Ultra High Definition (UHD) adoption in both content and technology, by fostering global collaborations, participating in key industry events, and launching a brand-new website for a European audience. The association has gone from strength to strength and the year was filled with incredible achievements and key initiatives to help the organisation reach its goals. In this blog, we review 2024 and look at major events and milestones throughout the year. 

Strategic Collaborations and International Engagements 

In July, the UWA participated in the China-Africa Digital Cooperation Forum held in Beijing. The forum facilitated discussions on digital cooperation between China and African nations, with the UWA contributing insights on UHD technology's role in this collaboration.  

At the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, the UWA organized a roundtable focusing on UHD TV. The session brought together experts to discuss the importance of standards and factors influencing UHD adoption in European markets. The event was crucial in helping the UWA assess industry sentiment and explore the unique challenges facing European organisations. Key discussion points included the gap between technology and content, the cost of production and distribution of UHD content, and consumer demand.  

In November, the UWA hosted its annual summit in Shenzhen, China, themed " Create Vivid World, Share Intelligent Future ". The event featured groundbreaking exhibitions, including Audio & HDR Vivid, XR/Metaverse, and large screen display technologies. Notably, UWA released its 2030 Research report highlighting 9 key technology trends and 16 typical application scenarios for the development of the UHD industry over the next 5 years. For more information, read the event overview here. 

Throughout the year, the UWA emphasized the advantages of membership, highlighting the benefits for companies within the UHD ecosystem. By promoting standardized UHD technologies, the UWA aims to ensure a cohesive and high-quality experience for consumers worldwide. 

 

Global Expansion of UHD Content 

Celebrating its tenth year, the 4K HDR Summit, hosted in Seville, continued to serve as a premier platform for discussing and learning about the latest developments in UHD technology. The summit highlighted the ongoing evolution of 4K and HDR technologies, with a notable focus on the emerging prominence of 8K. The UWA’s participation cemented the organisation as another leading entity in driving UHD video and Audio adoption, with our presentation focusing on its proprietary standards and our offering of world-class royalty- free solutions. 

On October 2, 2024, the documentary "Amazing China" premiered across various Chinese platforms, including CCTV4, in both 4K UHD and HDR. This co-production between UWA members The Explorers and China Media Group (CMG) marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France and explored China’s rich cultural history. This release showcased the UWA’s Vivid standards and the potential of UHD and HDR technologies in enhancing storytelling, offering viewers a more immersive and visually stunning experience. The documentary was published by all leading OTTs in China; reaching over 1 billion people, for the first time in history. 

The UWA and Cao Shumin, Minister of China National Radio and Television Administration, also engaged in high-level discussions with Chinese officials during MIPCOM in France. These meetings aimed to strengthen international collaborations and promote the global adoption of UHD standards. Other highlights include the Vivid broadcast 2024 Olympics by UWA members CMG, MIGU and MIPTV presentation by members of TianTian and The Explorers. 

 

Market Trends and Research 

In our continued collaboration with research company Omdia, we took a closer look at market trends, and their research helped us gain a clearer picture of the gaps and opportunities we can address as an association.  

An example of this is the research which showed that this year has seen a surge in the availability of ultra-large TV sets (85 inches and larger), a trend led by China but is now becoming more available in other regions. Initially offered by brands like Hisense, these extra-large TVs have become more prevalent, potentially accelerating the adoption of UHD by providing consumers with more immersive viewing experiences. North America shows high potential: Omdia expects 2024’s shipments of 98”+ TVs in the region will be four times 2023’s level at just under 100,000 units. 

Spain was also examined as a centre for growth, which made considerable progress in UHD adoption, with broadcasters and content creators investing heavily in UHD television channels and content. This growth reflects a broader global trend towards higher-quality viewing experiences and underscores the increasing demand for UHD content worldwide. 

 

Conclusion 

In 2024, the UHD World Association made remarkable strides in promoting and advancing UHD technology globally. Through strategic collaborations, hosting pivotal events, and advocating for industry standards, the UWA has played a crucial role in shaping the future of Ultra High-Definition experiences for consumers around the world. 

 

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