Get ready! ISE 2026 heads to Fira de Barcelona from Feb. 3-6, and we at SCN asked several exhibitors for the inside scoop. Through this series of short Q&As, we'll talk trends and pre-show buzz, plus give you an exclusive sneak preview of what you'll see on the show floor.
Today, Amy Zhou, director of sales, Magewell, breaks down the convergence of two industries, creating the new "Broadcast AV' buzzword.
SCN: What technology or industry trend will be providing the most buzz on the ISE 2026 show floor?
Amy Zhou: The convergence of broadcast technologies and Pro AV has been building for the past decade but is really coming to the forefront now, with “Broadcast AV” a key buzzword. The capabilities of Pro AV solutions have advanced enough to provide budget-friendly options for broadcasters’ diversifying media channels, while corporations, educational institutions and government agencies endeavor to produce their internal events at broadcast-level quality at reasonable costs.
SCN: What is your company’s main focus at the show this year?
AZ: Magewell will reinforce our core emphasis on innovative solutions that help customers bridge any available source type—whether AV signals or IP streams—to any destination, whether that’s software or equipment like projectors and displays. We will announce a new product at the show alongside recent solutions like our Pro Convert IP to USB that will make their ISE debut. Importantly, these solutions aren’t isolated islands; they’re part of a growing ecosystem featuring our own centralized device and stream management software as well as seamless interoperability with third-party partner solutions.
SCN: What makes ISE a unique trade show for the Pro AV industry?
AZ: ISE is not just another Pro AV oriented show, but a show full of diversity. Of course, it brings together manufacturers, systems integrators and end users across multiple vertical markets, but as the “Broadcast AV” convergence accelerates, it is also drawing attendees who might have previously gone only to broadcasting-oriented shows. Bringing them all together leads to great conversations on the show floor that drive innovation.
SCN: Magewell recently expanded its Director line of portable integrated production systems. What markets are you targeting with these devices?
AZ: The Director line was initially designed to simplify the production of engaging shows by small crews of just one to three people, making it ideal for everyone from independent production professionals to AV departments in corporations, schools and houses of worship. We’re continuing to evolve the product line for these use cases, but also seeing it increasingly used to simplify advanced live presentations such as in corporate training sessions. We love seeing our customers using it in new ways.
