IBC2021 has been abruptly cancelled due to renewed COVID-19 concerns in Europe, and following the decision by a number of tech companies to pull out.

The event, to be held in Amsterdam from December 3-6, was only recently declared as “firmly set” but that hadn’t stopped some of broadcast media’s biggest suppliers pulling the pin.

Ross Video had already announced its withdrawal in September, and then were joined in the last week by LiveU, Xytech, Broadspeak, Viaccess-Orca and Nautel.

Just yesterday EditShare contacted radioinfo to say they were withdrawing, saying, “We have been closely monitoring the current situation in the Netherlands and, given the uncertainty around COVID-19, have made the decision for the health and safety of our staff to withdraw from the IBC Show.

“While the decision was not an easy one, the wellbeing of our team, customers and partners is paramount.”

In a statement released by the organising board on Tuesday, the IBC confirmed that the “in-person” event was cancelled.

“IBC announces that the in person IBC2021 event has been cancelled. The move follows growing concerns about the COVID-19 situation in The Netherlands, which has deteriorated over the past week, and feedback from the IBC exhibitor and visitor community.

The IBC Partnership Board made the decision today in order to prevent exhibitors and visitors from travelling to The Netherlands.

Due to take place on December 3-6 at The RAI in Amsterdam, IBC20201 will now focus on bringing the content and technology community together via IBC Digital“.

IBC is the biggest event outside of the NAB Show for the global radio and telecommunications industries.