5G as an Innovation Driver for Media Productions: Application Scenarios, Case Studies, and Perspectives

The media industry is fundamentally transforming, driven by changing customer usage behavior. Users have a growing range of entertainment [5G Virtuosa (Virtuosa: Exploring 5G and virtualization in broadcast production. 5G Virtuosa, n.d.)]. Media producers must adapt to consumer needs in this fierce competition by pushing live formats and implementing live audience feedback. This is challenging because the infrastructure is mainly based on 30-year-old SDI technology [5G Virtuosa (Virtuosa: Exploring 5G and virtualization in broadcast production. 5G Virtuosa, n.d.)]. One solution is fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications, which “forms the basis for the development towards a networked society” [Deutsche Messe 5G smart venue (from idea to reality. 5G smart venue, n.d.)]. This paper examines which use cases suit private 5G campus networks, focusing on media productions in the German market. In Germany, companies and institutions can apply for licenses to operate private 5G private networks that are referred to as 5G campus networks (“Campus-Netze”). These networks offer a range of benefits to the media industry, from more flexible production to higher-quality transmission formats, guaranteed bandwidths, and low latency. In the German market, 5G technology deployment around media productions already exists but is not widespread. Only 4% of campus licenses primarily relate to media production [according to Bundesnetzagentur (Übersicht der Zuteilungsinhaber für Frequenzzuteilungen für lokale Frequenznutzungen im Frequenzbereich 3700–3800 MHz/Overview of frequency assignment in the frequency range 3700–3800 MHz. Bundesnetzagentur, 2022, February 16)]. This paper aims to investigate the status quo and potential of 5G media production in Germany in more depth. We present the findings of a case study analysis and interviews with various stakeholders in the German media industry. Finally, we give practical insights on the technical readiness for live streaming from a 5G media production hackathon at the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences.