What Is 5G Broadcast and Why Does It Matter 5G broadcast represents a fundamental shift in how television content can reach audiences. Unlike traditional broadcasting, which requires dedicated spectrum and transmission infrastructure, 5G broadcast leverages existing mobile network architecture to deliver content directly to smartphones and other connected devices. The technology allows viewers to receive television signals without consuming mobile data or requiring a separate antenna.
GatesAir’s Ray Miklius describes 5G broadcast as having sparked “real curiosity around how it could let viewers receive TV and media straight to the phones they already use.” Traditional broadcasters, he notes, have been relatively conservative, with most investments focused on “maintaining or replacing existing infrastructure rather than building out more.” However, ongoing tests across Europe, including planned work in Germany, are helping move the discussion from “what if” to “what next.”
The technology’s promise is significant. It could eliminate the need for dedicated television sets, allowing viewers to watch live broadcasts anywhere on devices they already carry. For broadcasters, it offers a way to reach younger audiences who have abandoned traditional television for mobile platforms. For regulators, it represents an opportunity to repurpose spectrum more efficiently.
However, the path to adoption is not straightforward. Standards are still evolving, handset support remains limited, and the business model for 5G broadcast is still being defined. Miklius expects 2026 to bring “more clarity around 5G broadcast – who’s pushing for it, how governments handle spectrum, and when real deployments might begin.”
The State of Traditional Broadcasting in 2026 Traditional broadcasting is not dying, but it is under significant pressure. PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook reports that global traditional TV revenues fell 2.7% in 2025 to $360.5 billion and are projected to continue declining at a CAGR of -1.1% to $341.2 billion by 2030. The decline is driven by cord-cutting, changing viewer habits, and competition from streaming platforms.
Yet traditional broadcasting maintains significant advantages. It remains the most efficient way to deliver a single signal to millions of viewers simultaneously. Live events such as sports and news continue to draw massive audiences to broadcast channels. And in many parts of the world, terrestrial broadcasting remains the primary source of television due to limited broadband infrastructure.
According to PwC, live and immersive experiences are seeing renewed interest as “consumers seek in-person experiences” that create emotional connection and shared cultural moments. Live music and sports are growing, with live music projected to top $41.5 billion by 2030. This trend also benefits traditional broadcasters who hold rights to premium live content.
The industry is also seeing consolidation as companies seek stability and efficiency amid shifting business models. Steve Reynolds, CEO of Imagine Communications, notes that “consolidation was one of the defining dynamics of 2025, as companies seek stability and efficiency amid shifting business models and evolving audience behaviour.” This consolidation is driving broadcasters to “clean up fragmented workflows and reduce the amount of duplicated infrastructure they’ve been carrying for years.”
The Efficiency Imperative Energy costs have become a major driver of broadcasting decisions. Miklius notes that “energy pricing is pushing broadcasters to rethink their transmission strategies and look for ways to cut long-term power use.” This has kept the TV side conservative, with most investments focused on “maintaining or replacing existing infrastructure rather than building out more.”
The push for energy efficiency is accelerating the adoption of new technologies. Broadcasters are increasingly looking for solutions that bring down electricity costs without compromising reliability or coverage. This includes more efficient transmission equipment, better power management, and optimized broadcast schedules.
Broadcasters are also adopting IP-based workflows, which are more flexible and potentially more efficient than traditional SDI-based systems. Reynolds notes that “the shift to IP just keeps accelerating as ST 2110 becomes the default mindset for new production and playout builds.” IP adoption is opening the door to “distributed, multisite, cloud-hybrid models that simply aren’t possible in SDI-only environments.”
The Rise of Hybrid Models Instead of choosing between broadcast and streaming, many industry players are embracing hybrid models that combine the strengths of both. 5G broadcast may eventually enable this by allowing broadcasters to leverage existing transmitter networks while extending reach to mobile devices.
Reynolds expects to see “more interest in hybrid models that mix traditional broadcast with IP delivery to reach audiences wherever they are.” This approach allows broadcasters to maintain their core audience while reaching younger viewers on their preferred platforms.
The hybrid approach extends to the technology stack as well. Streaming platforms are becoming more selective about where they invest, focusing on “technologies and workflows that deliver measurable returns.” Igor Oreper, chief strategy officer at Bitmovin, notes that there is “a move toward greater automation, deeper observability and data-led decision-making, with AI having a greater impact with increasing use to extract more value from content libraries and live streams without proportionally increasing costs.”
The Role of AI in Broadcasting AI is becoming embedded in day-to-day broadcasting workflows. Oreper describes AI as having moved from “novelty to normalisation” during 2025, “no longer just a future-facing talking point but now embedded in day-to-day workflows, from content understanding to operational decision-making.”
The applications are diverse. AI is being used for quality control and monitoring, helping teams manage complexity without adding resources. It supports content understanding, enabling more sophisticated content discovery and personalization. It also helps extract more value from content libraries and live streams without proportionally increasing costs.
Reynolds notes that “AI adoption will speed up because the business benefits are now concrete and proven.” The focus is shifting from experimentation to implementation, with organizations now “assuming AI is present and focus on governance, integration and outcomes.”
The FAST Ecosystem and Thematic Channels Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) has emerged as a significant force in the broadcasting landscape. According to Parks Associates, “Free ad-supported streaming television channels have emerged as a critical complement, offering a low-barrier entry point for consumers while generating new advertising revenue streams.” Consumer use of free ad-based services has doubled over the past six years, from 23% in early 2023 to 46% in late 2025.
Reynolds notes that the FAST ecosystem has reached a saturation point in terms of channels and inventory. This is prompting “some major players are beginning to stand up thematic channels on their traditional playout architectures.” He describes this as “a smarter move that connects those channels to higher-value ad pipelines and brings greater control and consistency back into the model.” This approach is likely to redefine how operators think about FAST’s role in their broader portfolio, “focusing less on volume and more on creating inventory that actually performs.”
The Future of TV Viewing The future of television viewing is likely to be characterized by continued fragmentation and hybridization. Viewers will have more choices than ever, from traditional broadcast channels to streaming services to mobile platforms. The challenge for broadcasters will be maintaining relevance and profitability in this fragmented landscape.
Sports and major live events will continue to be key drivers of traditional broadcasting, as they represent one of the few formats capable of aggregating audiences at scale. The 2026 World Cup is likely to be among the longest shared reality experiences in history, with billions streaming, watching, or listening globally.
At the same time, the battle between 5G broadcast and traditional broadcasting is likely to intensify. If handset makers and regulators get behind 5G broadcast, Miklius suggests that “2026 could be the year 5G broadcast starts shifting from trials into something more tangible.” Even if 5G broadcast adoption takes longer, the pressure it places on traditional broadcasters will accelerate the industry’s transformation.
Conclusion The battle for television’s future is not a war between old and new, but a negotiation between tradition and innovation. Traditional broadcasting offers efficiency, reach, and reliability that streaming cannot match. 5G broadcast promises flexibility, mobility, and relevance to younger audiences. The winning strategy for broadcasters in 2026 and beyond may not be choosing one over the other, but finding the right balance that delivers value to audiences and profitability to broadcasters. The technologies and strategies that succeed will be those that adapt to changing viewer habits while maintaining the quality and reliability that audiences demand.
