Interest in artificial intelligence within media and entertainment remains continuous, though concerns about its adoption raises a lot of doubts. Some filmmakers see AI as a valuable tool for developing intellectual property (IP) or to support post-production, while others fear it may compromise creative control.
Amidst the debate, TensorPix AI video enhancer played an important role in the post-production of a regional TV show, demonstrating the growing impact of AI in television as explained below.
The film industry’s stance on AI technology
Discussion on AI adoption within the industry is ongoing, where the majority still raises growing concerns affecting overall stance.
Why is the industry adoption hesitant:
- Authenticity concerns: Many worry AI-enhanced content may feel artificial or plastic, lacking the emotional depth of manually crafted visuals.
- Job security fears: Actors, particularly background and voice actors, fear AI video generated ‘metahumans’ could replace them. These concerns led to a 118 days of actors' strike before reaching a mutual agreement.
- Creative integrity: The debate over AI’s impact on originality and artistic intent continues.
Despite these reservations, AI is already making inroads in television, particularly using AI filters when upscaling SD archives, footage restoration, stabilization, and deinterlacing.
AI role in modern television production
Every day AI is improving its position to be considered an asset in reviving outdated content in TV production. As learning of its capabilities grows, its adoption is likely to accelerate ahead of the film industry.
Here is where AI video enhancement adds value to modern broadcast:
- Remastering old footage: AI video enhancers simplifies the restoration process, bringing decades-old content to modern audiences.
- Visual continuity: AI video enhancers allow seamless integration of archival content with newly filmed sequences.
- Cost and time efficiency: While AI video enhancers don't fully replace traditional restoration techniques, they reduce labor-intensive workloads and offer cost-effective solutions in most cases.
Case study: TensorPix supports development of the regional tv show
Background
Komar , a regional mystery TV show, is currently in development under the award-winning SCCA/pro.ba production. The TV show brings multi-dimensional storyline shifting between the present and the past to maintain high audience engagement. The production team faced a significant challenge: integrating archival footage, originally shot on 35mm film and digitized in lower resolutions. It needs to be upscaled to 2K or above to ensure visual consistency.
The Challenge
- Low-resolution footage (SD quality) that doesn’t match modern broadcasting standards.
- Time and budget constraints limit options for restoration and upscaling in traditional ways.
The Solution
Using TensorPix AI video enhancer, the production team managed to successfully upscale and additionally restore historical footage while keeping lower operational costs. TensorPix proprietary AI filters made it possible for archival material to blend with newly filmed content.
"Throughout the editing process, I was in constant touch with the TensorPix technical team, which was extremely helpful in identifying the best quality archival footage for upscaling. We successfully enhanced archives scanned from 35mm film rolls, originally in 720p and Full HD, and upscaling to 4K,” said Redžinald Šimek, editor. “This significantly improved our ability to enhance flexibility and emphasize key storyline points."
As filmmakers seek innovative ways to balance artistic vision with production efficiency, AI video enhancers are gradually becoming a trusted tool rather than a disruptive force.
"It’s fair to say the industry still has reservations about AI technology. However, ongoing dialogue between technology disruptors and the television industry is bridging that gap. When the TensorPix team introduced their technology to us, it was clear they weren’t trying to replace processes but to support them. We were able to repurpose creative elements while controlling production costs—something every producer welcomes,” explained Amra Bakšić Čamo, producer and director at SCCA/pro.ba.
Conclusion
AI video enhancement will remain a valuable asset to the TV and film industry. As the technology advances, it will seamlessly integrate into workflows, complement industry-standard techniques, and enable footage to be repurposed for wider audiences.
