Appear turned heads at the 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas securing on-the-spot orders and debuting two game-changing products. For the global media technology company, NAB Show is where innovation meets opportunity.

“Seeing that kind of tangible excitement is why NAB Show is the highlight of the year,” said Matt Williams-Neale, vice president of marketing at Appear.

Trusted by industry giants like NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, the NHL, Formula 1 and Riot Games, Appear ensures the world’s biggest live events run seamlessly. Its mission is bold: Become the global leader in live production technology. NAB Show is where that vision comes into focus.

On the show floor, exhibitors showcase products and access a global network of ideas, tools and deals shaping the future of media and entertainment.

Tapping into the Industry’s Biggest Network of Buyers and Partners

NAB Show is the premier technology showcase in North America, attracting tens of thousands of leaders and potential buyers across broadcast, media and content creation.

“It’s all under one roof,” Williams-Neale said, making it the must-attend marketplace for the entire content ecosystem.

Appear leverages this global spotlight to showcase its technology while strengthening relationships with North American customers and partners. Insights from conversations inspire new products and solutions, including the X5, also dubbed “Baby X.”

‘You asked, we delivered’ — Unveiling the X5

For years, Appear’s X Platform encoders have set the standard in live sports broadcasting. But customers wanted a more compact version with a lower channel count for smaller events and live news broadcasts.

Enter the X5: a backpack-ready encoder and decoder designed to deliver the same power in a smaller package.

Appear generated buzz before the show through targeted social campaigns. By the time the doors opened, customers were eager to get their hands on the X5.

“They’ve almost been running to the booth,” Williams-Neale said. “The orders are going to be coming in pretty thick and fast, which is fantastic — and again, why NAB is such a valuable show for us.”

The X5 went on to win NAB Show’s prestigious Product of the Year Award for hardware infrastructure. Appear was also honored as NBCUniversal’s technology partner for its award-winning Satellite Downlink Ecosystem Transformation.

Looking Ahead with VX Media Gateway

This year, Appear also unveiled its first software-based solution: the VX Media Gateway.

Designed for hybrid cloud and on-premises workflows, the VX reflects Appear’s commitment to support the full content chain, from acquisition to distribution.

The VX is “a whole new field for us, but we’re very excited,” Williams-Neale said. “Over the coming years, you’re going to see us filling that total value chain.”

NAB Show provided the perfect stage to showcase how this software can transform workflows, giving clients a first-hand look at the future of live broadcasting.

Seeing that kind of tangible excitement is why NAB Show is the highlight of the year.

— Matt Williams-Neale, Vice President of Marketing, Appear

Building Community and Connections

For Appear, success at NAB Show isn’t just measured in product reveals or purchase orders. It’s about connecting face-to-face to understand market nuances and stay ahead of the industry’s rapid evolution.

“I think it’s important to come back year after year to keep the conversation going,” Williams-Neale said.

The Show also serves as a reunion, reconnecting partners, customers and even competitors. On the floor, existing clients often direct new leads to Appear’s booth to see demos and connect with staff.

“A lot of the walk-ons we’ve had this year are through word of mouth,” Williams-Neale said. Big broadcasters are telling people, “‘You’ve got to go and speak to the guys at Appear because the stuff they’re doing is really cool.’”Customers love getting their hands on the new products like the X5 to hold them and see them. “And that’s the only place you can do it, really, is at a trade show,” Williams-Neale said.

For Appear, NAB Show isn’t just another stop on the calendar. It’s the annual event shaping the future of live production technology.

---

About Appear

Headquartered in Oslo, Appear is a leader in live production technology, specializing in high-capacity, sustainable solutions for media processing and content delivery.

Learn more by visiting their website: appear.net