As the National Association of Broadcasters prepares to open the show floor in Las Vegas for NAB 2025, one thing is clear: artificial intelligence isn’t a futuristic buzzword anymore—it’s front and center in broadcast, from production trucks to the living room couch. And for Low Power Television (LPTV) stations operating on thinner margins and leaner teams, AI might just be the technological equalizer they’ve been waiting for.
While the industry giants tout 8K displays and cloud-driven virtual sets, LPTV operators attending this year’s show will want to pay close attention to the growing lineup of AI-powered tools tailored for streamlined content production, smarter signal optimization, and enhanced viewer engagement.
From Pixellot to Prime Time
On the production side, AI-powered camera systems like those from Pixellot are disrupting the need for full crews. These autonomous camera setups—capable of tracking sports and live events in real-time—have the potential to bring professional-quality coverage to high school football games, local rodeos, and regional political forums. For LPTVs covering community events with limited staff, it’s a plug-and-play game changer.
Virtual Anchors and Real Opportunity
In the realm of AI-generated talent, broadcasters in Asia and Europe have already rolled out virtual news anchors. While this may seem a novelty, the real value for LPTV stations lies in localization. AI-driven avatars could soon deliver daily news briefs in multiple languages or dialects without the need for a full-time studio team—perfect for multicultural and bilingual markets.
Expect vendors on the NAB floor to demo voice cloning, avatar rendering, and script-to-video software that could slash production costs while maintaining a polished on-air look.
Augmented Broadcasts: NFL Sets the Tone
Major networks like NBC are leaning into AI-enhanced viewing. Their recent Madden NFL simulcast, integrating video game-style visuals with real-time player data, points to a new era of immersive sports broadcasting. While LPTVs might not simulcast the Super Bowl anytime soon, the underlying tech—data overlays, automated replay tagging, and audience analytics—will trickle down and become accessible for regional sports and community programming.
Sound, Picture, and the AI-Optimized Home Viewer
TV manufacturers like Samsung are embedding AI into displays, adjusting sound and picture based on ambient noise and lighting conditions. For LPTV stations, this means ensuring signal quality and broadcast content remain adaptable and optimized for next-gen devices. Ask vendors about AI-enhanced upscaling and how your station’s signal will perform on AI-boosted hardware.
The Editorial Edge: Content Classification and Compliance
Behind the scenes, AI is helping stations organize and tag footage automatically. The BBC’s deep learning initiative, for instance, classifies shows based on audio and visual patterns. Smaller stations can benefit from similar tools to meet FCC compliance, streamline ad insertion, or even automate closed captioning and accessibility services.
Also, don’t overlook how AI is being used for personalization algorithms in OTT environments. As more LPTVs explore streaming via ATSC 3.0’s hybrid capabilities, these engines will become vital to keeping viewers engaged—and advertisers interested.
A Personal Touch: Accessibility and Ethics
One of the most compelling uses of AI has been in accessibility. Israeli journalist Moshe Nussbaum, battling ALS, returned to TV using AI to replicate his voice. For LPTV operators committed to serving aging or disabled audiences, these advances may soon provide new ways to feature talent and tell stories that would otherwise be lost.
But with new technology comes new responsibility. Stations need to weigh the ethical and legal implications of AI-generated content, especially in news environments.
What to Watch for at NAB 2025
Here are a few booths and demos that LPTV operators shouldn’t miss:
Black Box: Showcasing real-time AI media routing and KVM switching that could streamline station control rooms.
Pixellot: Autonomous sports production—ideal for small-market or regional stations covering live events.
AI News Anchors & Voice Tools: Multiple vendors will unveil tools allowing creation of synthetic newscasts, voiceovers, and language localization.
Augmented Reality Broadcast Toolkits: See how sports broadcasters are using AR overlays—and how that might adapt to local event coverage.
Cloud-Based Editing and Captioning Suites: Leveraging AI to auto-generate subtitles, simplify compliance, and cut turnaround time.
The Bottom Line for LPTV
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for the networks with Super Bowl rights and Hollywood budgets. In 2025, it’s shaping up to be the most accessible game-changing technology since digital transition. Whether your LPTV station is looking to automate production, improve monetization, or simply stay competitive, NAB 2025 offers a front-row seat to AI’s future—and perhaps your own.
