At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic has launched a series of significant upgrades to its video appliances and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. These advancements include a next-generation media server and new AI-driven functionalities aimed at simplifying video workflows while reducing operational costs. The company’s innovations are designed to assist broadcasters, streamers, and service providers in navigating the complexities of modern media environments, ultimately enhancing 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 aims to help its clients minimize total cost of ownership (TCO), unlock new revenue streams, and remain competitive in an evolving landscape.
Next Generation of Video Appliances
A highlight of Harmonic’s showcase is the next generation of its Spectrum X media server, which streamlines video ingest and playout functions, thereby significantly reducing costs per channel for broadcast delivery. This upgraded media server is complemented by the XOS Advanced Media Processor, which supports broadcasters transitioning to technologies like DTV+ and ATSC 3.0, as well as those migrating away from C-Band spectrum. The XOS processor serves as an all-in-one solution, combining advanced playout, premium encoding, and delivery capabilities.
These enhancements are expected to drive operational efficiency among broadcasters globally, allowing them to focus resources on content creation rather than technical complexities.
Advancing Streaming and Monetization
Harmonic is also redefining streaming capabilities with innovative solutions that support monetization. The company will highlight its first large-scale deployment of VOS Media Software on Red Hat OpenShift, showcasing an advanced hybrid streaming solution that allows for central management across both private and public cloud environments.
Additionally, the company has revealed its first production deployment of server-side in-stream advertising by a leading U.S. regional sports network. This technology automatically triggers advertisements during live games, enhancing monetization efforts without disrupting the viewer experience.
To further engage fans, Harmonic has introduced a new in-house server-side multiview solution within its VOS360 Media SaaS. This feature can be combined with in-stream ads to generate additional revenue from multiview channels.
Harmonic’s AI-powered workflows are designed to deliver tangible benefits to its clients. The company plans to introduce an AI orchestration service that aggregates and manages various AI functions, facilitating seamless integration into existing workflows. This service coordinates processing for live content, ensuring redundancy and synchronization of outputs.
The AI service, powered by NVIDIA GPU acceleration, will also support advanced server-side HD-to-UHD upscaling, enhancing video quality on 4K displays even when the original production is limited to full HD.
Moore Macauley, Harmonic’s Chief Technology Officer for the Video Business, is set to discuss these transformative AI advancements at the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference on April 18, 2026.
Through these innovations, Harmonic aims to empower media companies to navigate the evolving challenges of the broadcast and streaming sectors, fostering new opportunities for revenue generation and operational efficiency.
