Media Links to Focus on IP Transport Solutions at 2026 NAB Show

Why It Matters

Ensuring uninterrupted, high‑quality video streams is critical for live sports and event broadcasters, and Media Links’ solutions address the industry’s shift toward fully IP‑based, remote production workflows.

Key Takeaways

• Hitless Protection ensures uninterrupted live video during network glitches
• Xscend platform now supports HEVC and AVC contribution workflows
• ProMD EMS software manages IP media networks for broadcasters
• Media Links powers VAR and World Cup live‑sports feeds
• Modular, software‑defined architecture scales from single site to global productions

Pulse Analysis

The 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas will serve as a showcase for Media Links’ next‑generation IP transport portfolio, underscoring how the broadcast industry is moving away from legacy SDI infrastructures toward fully software‑defined networks. By positioning its Xscend gateway and ProMD EMS management suite at the heart of the exhibition, Media Links signals confidence that modular, standards‑based solutions can meet the escalating demand for ultra‑low latency, high‑resolution video across dispersed production sites. Attendees can expect live demonstrations that illustrate seamless integration with existing playout and contribution chains.

At the core of Media Links’ offering is Hitless Protection, a redundancy engine that swaps streams without visible interruption, safeguarding live broadcasts against packet loss or jitter. Coupled with the Xscend platform’s recent support for HEVC and AVC contribution workflows, broadcasters gain up to 50 % bandwidth savings while preserving picture quality and latency thresholds. The software‑defined modularity of Xscend allows operators to start with a single gateway and expand to multi‑site, high‑capacity networks, aligning capital expenditures with evolving production needs.

Media Links has already proven the scalability of its stack in high‑profile events, from the 2026 Winter Games to European football leagues and upcoming World Cup productions. In VAR applications, Xscend transports multiple 4K feeds to centralized officiating hubs with sub‑100 ms latency, enabling instant replay decisions that meet stringent sporting regulations. By integrating ProMD EMS for centralized monitoring, operators gain real‑time visibility and automated fault remediation across heterogeneous vendor equipment. As broadcasters increasingly adopt remote‑production models, Media Links’ end‑to‑end IP solution positions it as a pivotal enabler of the next wave of live‑media innovation.