"Today, Globo's linear channels reach over 100 million people across multiple platforms, and we want to continue to provide a state-of-the-art experience to our customers on every screen," said Mauricio Felix, technology director at Globo. "Adopting a cloud-based workflow will keep us at the forefront of technology innovation. We chose Harmonic as our strategic partner based on its mature cloud-native media software solution, extensive expertise in cloud playout deployments and world-class local support."

Globo will integrate VOS Media Software with an Aveco automation system to streamline its playout operations. Running seamlessly on Google Cloud, the advanced software provides Globo with increased scalability, flexibility and reliability. VOS software connects and synchronizes all microservices for every workflow, end to end, Harmonic said.

"Harmonic's VOS Media Software puts Globo in the position to be the first media company in the LATAM region to deliver 24/7 channels with a cloud-based playout and automation solution, which is an amazing achievement," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business, at Harmonic. "Offering unparalleled agility, resiliency, security and scalability, our VOS Media Software will allow Globo to expand playout channels easily as its business evolves."

The new services are based on Playout X, an AMPP-based SaaS solution that will enable Arabsat customers to broadcast quality signals in a much more flexible and efficient way. 

“These new AMPP-based services will allow our customers to set-up a new TV channel in just a few minutes,” said Alhamedi Alanezi, CEO and president of Arabsat. “Because this new agile, accessible and scalable cloud-based transmission technology is also more affordable, it will allow us to reach many new customers.”

The three playout products offered by Arabsat are TV Starter, TV Advanced and TV Pinnacle, leverage state of the art private cloud infrastructure as well as GV AMPP orchestration platform. TV Starter and TV Advanced are designed to accommodate today’s Broadcasters playout needs for high quality and reliability in a cost-effective package while TV Pinnacle is a very sophisticated cloud production and playout system capable of handling multiple live sources for the most demanding events.

“We’re extremely gratified to be partnering with Arabsat on this TV transmission paradigm shift,” explained Grass Valley’s CEO and chairman Louis Hernandez, “Both companies have a long track record of leadership, and this collaboration represents the next logical next step in the ease, scalability, and affordability of television distribution.”

Now when we talk about the cloud, we refer to the workflows enabled by the cloud (and IP) that give our industry the ability—depending on the bandwidth—to produce live content from virtually anywhere in the world, a development clarified by the pandemic.

In our latest Guide to Cloud Playout, we look at how the ability to spin up channels at a moment's notice was just the start of an evolution that has revolutionized our industry from top to bottom, enabling broadcasters to stay competitive in a media landscape where IP is becoming the dominant method of distribution.

Download the ebook here. 

Under the terms of the deal, Veset will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PLAY and continue to develop solutions for cloud playout and channel management. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

PLAY uses video distribution technology and a wide range of associated services to help companies in the media, content, and enterprise fields advance their digital transformation. PLAY has worked with Veset for a number of years and has already integrated Veset Nimbus into its own KRONOS cloud playout service for the Japanese market.  

“At PLAY we place a great deal of emphasis on the value that can be delivered to viewers,” explained Kazumichi Kuroda, CEO, PLAY. “Achieving that means focusing on creating high-quality services that push the boundaries of innovation. Over the past years of working with Veset, we have been impressed, not just by the technology but also by the entire team that shares the same values as us. I am certain this will be a beneficial move, not only for the two companies, but also for our shared customers and ultimately their viewers.”

Veset’s playout solutions enable broadcasters to originate and manage professional linear channels entirely in the cloud. Veset Nimbus features a spectrum of all-in-one channel creation tools for advanced linear TV channel management. Veset works with a wide range of broadcasters, service providers, and technology partners across the world. 

Following the acquisition, Gatis Gailis, co-founder and former CTO, has been appointed CEO of Veset. 

“Having worked with PLAY for a number of years, we already knew that there are a lot of synergies between our two companies, including a shared mission to enable digital transformation in the media and entertainment industry,” he said. “This acquisition will help us to further develop our offerings and scale our company, especially increasing our presence across Asia.”

Igor Krol, the retiring CEO of Veset added that “I am very proud of our team’s achievements in pushing innovation in the field of playout over the past decade. We built an amazing partnership with PLAY which now has been reinforced by this acquisition. Veset and its cloud playout platform are now backed by a strong strategic investor with plans to take them to the next level.”

Veset said it will be announcing further updates and features for its Nimbus solution in the coming weeks and months. 

EarthxTV is a Dallas-based TV entertainment network dedicated to environmental sustainability. It’s now available in millions of households through distribution deals including Spectrum and the National Cable television Cooperative (NCTC) in the U.S.; Sky and Freeview in the UK and Ireland; and M7 in Europe. 

Globecast is orchestrating the EarthxTV playback entirely in the cloud then delivering the linear channel signal via fiber and satellite to MVPDs.  Cloud-hosted content is used to deploy FAST and pop-up channels for virtual MVPDs and OTT providers. 

Globecast’s cloud services are powered by AWS, with the company announcing earlier this year it has joined the AWS Partner Network, extending its reach and providing the cloud power Globecast and its customers need.  

“With EarthxTV being a newly launched linear network, our priority was finding a media services partner that fully understands what we want to achieve, the importance of it and can provide a technically elegant playout workflow that’s flexible and cost-effective,” explained Rajan Singh, executive vice president of global distribution at EarthxTV. “Globecast talked us through all the options and we were very impressed with their knowledge and expertise in cloud playout, especially with EarthxTV being new to linear.”

EarthxTV offers a 24/7 live channel and a large library of VOD content so viewers can control what content they want to watch, when they want it, with one simple sign-up — all for free. The content is available in all English-speaking countries.

Using cloud playout also offers a significant benefit in terms of sustainability. AWS provides a tool for calculating carbon emissions savings as a result of being in AWS instead of on-prem. In 2022 to date, Globecast Americas has saved over 18 metric tons of emissions, according to the tool, across all MCR services.

The Essentials option rounds out the Make TV solution’s Standard and Premium channel offerings, which support high-end features and sophisticated workflows. Essentials channels deliver exceptional video, audio, and graphics quality, ensuring that the focus on premium-quality viewing experiences at the heart of Aviator is maintained in even the simplest channel origination applications. 

As part of Imagine’s Aviator platform—which combines scheduling, rights management, channel origination, VOD, ad sales, ad placement, ad serving, campaign management, and more into a single cloud platform—Essentials channels integrate with the end-to-end Plan, Make, and Monetize capabilities in a cloud-native implementation that allows media companies to continue to successfully deliver and monetize content to meet changing consumer viewing habits. 

“The Essentials offering allows our customers to quickly deploy new channels that leverage the power of the Aviator platform and deliver great value and the ease of use needed for thematic-style channels,” says Rob Malcolm, chief product officer at Imagine Communications. “As media companies of all types and sizes search for new ways to address how consumers want to watch, Essentials channels provide lower-cost options to stand up and operate channels that utilize the efficiencies of the public cloud—making it easier than ever to address broadening advertising opportunities and create highly impactful and dynamic channels with genuine appeal to viewers.” 

The Essentials offering is designed for 24/7 scheduled channels such as movies and episodic content, FAST channels, local and regional broadcast applications. It is also well suited to popup and occasional use channels, as well as business continuity/disaster recovery and evergreen use cases. Essential channels share the same user interface as the more sophisticated Standard and Premium channels, maintaining a uniform operating interface for all channel types in the system.

While the operation of Essentials channels is simple, the underlying technology uses the latest container-based management and deployment connected to a full suite of monitoring and analytics tools. The playout engine that manages frame-accurate playout of video, audio, triggers and graphics runs on a Linux operating system, which drives down channel launch costs and reduces total cost of ownership. 

The graphics engine uses HTML5 overlay graphics and supports real-time external dynamic data and playlist data insertion. SCTE trigger insertion supports broadcast and OTT ad insertion, including integration with Imagine’s SureFire broadcast-quality video ad server and other common dynamic ad insertion solutions. 

As with the rest of the Aviator platform, Essentials channels run in the public cloud. Only a web browser and internet connection are needed to securely access and operate all aspects of each channel, placing control at the operators’ fingertips wherever they are based ― at the office, a remote location or when working from home. It offers the flexibility of running in a media company’s own cloud account or in Imagine’s SaaS environment, where it is monitored, managed and maintained by Imagine, allowing customers to reap the benefits of operational efficiency, while maintaining control of all creative aspects of their content. 

“We continue to deliver functionality in the Aviator platform on our aggressive roadmap schedule,” Malcolm adds. “The Essentials channel offering, as with other aspects of the Aviator solution, demonstrates how we are rapidly expanding the feature set and addressable market for the platform. This latest introduction fills out our full range of channel types, enabling Aviator to deliver the most diverse range of linear channel origination options from a single platform on the market today.”

So how can content providers ensure they are delivering the highest-quality content to consumers, whilst simultaneously keeping operating costs low and channel management accessible? For many broadcasters, this has been achieved by transitioning their existing services to the cloud.

First, Let’s Just Get One Thing Clear
Before going on to discuss the huge benefits of using the cloud for playout, it is important to understand that true cloud working is not the same as virtualization. Both rely on similar models and principles, but the technology of virtualization is essentially only one step in the evolution which led to the development of modern cloud technologies. 

Put simply, virtualization is a technology that allows software to use hardware computing resources more efficiently, making a single resource act like many. Cloud embeds such technologies as virtualization at its core but modern cloud infrastructure offers a much greater range of services, allowing a sharing of resources beyond anything a standalone private data centre with virtualization can achieve. Typically deploying a cloud native application in a virtualized private datacenter is possible but essentially a downgrade in terms of the capabilities that can be achieved when running in the public cloud.

True Cloud Playout: Ticking the Right Boxes
Events of the last few years have led to an increased need for playout solutions that allow for remote operation. Working in the cloud helped operators to solve the immediate crisis that Covid created and now, cloud working is revolutionizing how broadcasting will be done long term. Switching playout to the cloud brings a number of benefits in terms of cost savings, flexibility, scalability and efficiency.

Significant cost savings are gained because cloud working removes the need for physical infrastructure and complex hardware, reducing capital expenditure. Cost savings don’t stop there. Transitioning to the cloud can be done with minimum upfront costs, and true cloud playout can also have lower ongoing operating costs than traditional systems. This is in part because, typically, you only pay for services that you use.

In terms of flexibility, cloud working allows operators to access and easily manage their channels, as well as carry out maintenance through a web application from any location. Flexible working means broadcasters can be responsive to user needs and quickly and easily launch new channels or close existing ones as required. In the past, linear TV channels were envisaged to run infinitely into the future, nowadays they enjoy much shorter lifespans.

By utilizing the scalability of the cloud for playout, providers can prepare media content and launch channels quickly, while remaining in control of their own content and channels. Cloud playout also makes it easier for operators to expand reach and target a wider audience by scaling up and launching services or channels in new regions. The beauty of cloud scalability is that it can be done quickly and easily as the business need arises, meaning there is no need to invest in costly infrastructure to scale up.

Operational efficiency improves with cloud playout because operators can easily optimize systems by streamlining workflows and integrating seamlessly with existing systems. Moving media operations to the cloud gives operators better tools for automation, data management and analytics. When it comes to integration with other cloud native solutions, integration is usually very fast as most new generation solutions use REST APIs which underpins data sharing.

Why Cloud-Native Solutions Offer the Biggest Advantages
Maximum reward comes from using cloud native solutions that are designed for, and built in the cloud, as opposed to cloud ready solutions that are not ‘born in the cloud’ but are instead adapted and made workable for cloud use. 

Cloud native solutions simply do not rely on virtualization, they involve the use of multiple microservices and utilize deployment tools such as kubernetes to allow for automatic scaling to meet demand and high availability across multiple geo-diverse locations.

It is through designing and implementing cloud native solutions that operators can achieve the lowest operating costs, the highest reliability and the greatest flexibility. The same level of benefits are not realized if existing on-premises processes and software are simply lifted and moved straight into the cloud.

A Gentle Transition
Given that cloud native solutions offer the biggest advantages, it is perhaps understandable that broadcasters are reluctant to make the full transition to cloud working, because of the perceived disruption and upheaval that comes with reimagining all workflows.

It doesn’t have to be like that. Broadcasters can choose to opt for a hybrid model where they first ‘cloudify’ the elements of their workflow that suit their business the most. This can pave the way for a more gentle transition to a fully cloud based operation. Regardless of whether your media business is embracing cloud working wholeheartedly or perhaps you’re just dipping your toe in the water (or should that be dipping your toe in the cloud?), cloud playout can work for you.

The Future is Cloud Playout
With the shift towards cloud-based operations having been accelerated by COVID, the broadcast industry is evolving at an incredible rate. As the advantages of operating from the cloud become more obvious and harder to ignore, there will come a time when operators will be faced with the decision of either transitioning to the cloud, or getting left behind.

This is certainly true of playout because, without a doubt, cloud playout optimizes operations and provides a future-proof, economical way of managing linear and live TV channels.

The new platform targets broadcasters and media companies who want to widen their reach across OTT platforms and FAST services while maximizing the yield from their content assets, the company said.

LTN Lift brings together a range of LTN’s advanced playout, signaling and video transport technologies built around LTN’s IP video network. It automates versioning of a primary linear channel, seamlessly spinning up secondary channels and integrating live and non-live programming. LTN Lift helps media organizations thrive in the digital era, particularly news and sports-producing broadcasters and station groups by enabling them to automatically create new channels in the cloud, with altered programming to fit cross-platform programming requirements or provide richer content for different audiences, according to the company.

The managed service offers a highly redundant, scalable cloud-based platform with virtual accessibility. This means that content providers can manage the service anywhere and rapidly scale up services based on evolving requirements.

“In a fiercely competitive and complex media landscape, maximizing the value and reach of your content has never been as important as it is today. Media customers need to get their best content to viewers wherever they are watching — and they need to do this efficiently and at scale,” said Malik Khan, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder. “LTN Lift is a unique service that empowers our customers to lead in the digital era, and we’re already seeing early adopters among broadcast groups achieve outstanding results.”

LTN Lift includes automatic asset creation capabilities, seamless live source management and signal acquisition as well as delivery through the LTN Connect and LTN Transport solutions, and automated playout via LTN Schedule. LTN’s built-in signalling and ad enablement technologies provide customers with the foundation to achieve optimum monetization through advanced advertising on any platform.

LTN Lift is currently in production by all stations in one of the four major US-owned broadcast groups, the company said.

LTN Global will showcase LTN Lift and a range of its video technologies and solutions at its booth #W10116 at the 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 23-27.

A feature of Brightcove Video Cloud, Cloud Playout enables content owners and organizations to program a scheduled playout of both on-demand video assets and live footage or events into a single stream. This provides what the company calls a “broadcast-grade live TV experience” using pre-recorded content to increase audience engagement and create new revenue opportunities.

Brightcove has announced that SXSW Online will be the first customer to utilize Cloud Playout for its conference and festivals. Other early adopters include AMC, ShudderFest, BookMyShow and others, per Brightcove.

“Since Brightcove’s inception, video innovation has been a key priority for us, and Cloud Playout demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the best technology and tools to help them succeed with video,” said Namita Dhallan, chief product officer of Brightcove. “Cloud Playout is the next innovation in our platform, and by enabling customers to streamline the management and playout of content within a single solution, we’re saving them the additional costs and security risks of utilizing third party apps, while still providing the scalability to reach audiences around the globe, on their schedule.”

For more information, visit www.brightcove.com.  

"The new installation comprises latest-generation AirBox Channel-in-a-Box servers in content ingest, master playout and backup configurations," comments SoundView Broadcasting Director of Operations Sarmad Zafar. "They are straightforward to install, configure well and perform very reliably. We also have fast access to support from PlayBox Neo USA if needed. The PlayBox Neo user interface is very operator-friendly, easy to learn and displays exactly the information needed at each stage of the operation from ingest right through to transmission."

"We have provided three of our full size 3U servers for this project," adds PlayBox Neo US Director of Operations Van Duke. "Each is configured with AirBox Neo-19 playout software and TitleBox Neo-19 channel branding software. Servers 1 and 2 include ANSI/SCTE 35 insertion cue messaging. Servers 2 and 3 are additionally loaded with PlayBox Neo Multi-Backup Manager. Server 3 has been installed in an offsite disaster recovery facility."

Designed for backing up multiple playout channels simultaneously, also known as n+m redundancy, PlayBox Neo Multi-Backup Manager (MBM) allows the user to choose the number of backup systems, for example four backups for 12 on-air channels, reducing overall system cost while maintaining system integrity. MBM monitors user-defined lists with Neo-19 CIAB master and slave applications. If a master is non-responsive for two seconds or more, it is automatically replaced by a slave.

Founded in 2004, SoundView Broadcasting (www.soundview.tv) provides media services for over 26 international television channels from countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa and the USA to audiences across North America, Europe, and the UK. In addition to production and distribution services, SoundView Broadcasting also coordinates marketing, advertising, sales and related services for international broadcasters and producers. More than just a broadcasting and production resource, it is a launchpad in the USA for both fledgling and long-established international and ethnic TV channels from every part of the globe venturing into new markets.

PlayBox Neo (www.playboxneo.com), building on 20 years of successful innovation, pioneered the development of high-efficiency server-based and cloud-based playout to support every scale and type of one-to-many communication. PlayBox Neo products and cloud solutions today power over 18,500 TV and branding channels in more than 120 countries. Users include national and international broadcasters, start-up TV channels, webcasters, interactive TV and music channels, film channels, remote TV channels, corporate information channels and disaster recovery channels. With its commercial HQ in Europe, PlayBox Neo has offices in USA (PlayBox Neo LLC), Asia (PlayBox Neo Asia Pacific) in India (PlayBox Neo India) and in the UK.

As the business environment becomes more complex and challenging, broadcasters have a greater need to adapt and be flexible. Cloud-based video solutions for services like playout are seen as a promising way to achieve this flexibility and easy scalability—the idea being that using cloud playout will allow media companies to launch “pop-up channels” faster, deliver traditional and OTT content more efficiently, and ensure they have a low-cost, reliable disaster recovery strategy in place.

KEY ADVANTAGES

There are several major benefits that cloud-based playout provide to broadcasters and media companies. The first advantage is flexibility—cloud playout allows broadcasters to introduce a new channel or adapt an existing one with a minimized lead time, making it easier to implement changes and react to market conditions.

With more flexibility also comes the ability to easily scale services according to market needs and changing business plans. For example, the cloud enables broadcasters to easily set up a new channel and test its viability before contracting on-premises services. Once the business model is proven, the broadcaster can then commit to on-premises services—or due to the added flexibility offered by a cloud solution—retain their content and workflows in the cloud.

Cloud workflows are also a cost-effective approach for short-term plans. The flexibility and scalability offered by cloud-enabled media services means broadcasters do not have to plan far ahead and make major infrastructure upgrades. Media companies can launch new services quickly and pay based on a flexible opex business model vs. making significant upfront investments in infrastructure.

Moreover, using a fully managed cloud-based playout service, broadcasters can be assured that their channels will run 24/7. The cloud playout service operator secures maintenance, monitoring and engineering support to ensure reliability.

In addition, the cloud makes it possible for the customer to have increased transparency and involvement in their operational workflow. Broadcasters can access playout workflows via web browsers from anywhere in the world. The cloud also gives operators the power to manage every aspect of the playout process from a single screen. For a broadcaster that truly wants to have a global reach, the cloud is the best way to achieve this.

IDEAL USE CASES

Cloud playout offers distinct advantages compared with traditional hardware and software approaches. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the broadcast industry is moving everything to the cloud. For channels that are key assets in content packages it still makes more sense to invest in on-premises services as that results in greater cost-efficiencies in the long-term. Broadcasters need to decide on the most appropriate solution for each use case.

One instance where cloud playout is interesting is for pop-up channels. If there is a major sports tournament or live event that a broadcaster wants to cover for a short amount of time, it can quickly and cost-effectively launch a new channel. Once the event is over, the channel can instantly be taken off the service lineup.

Another use case that is perfect for cloud playout is localizing content and implementing ad replacement. Today’s television viewers like personalized content—with cloud playout, broadcasters can address the growing demand for tailored content, by delivering personalized programming and advertising that appeals to the viewers’ interests and geographical location.

In addition, cloud playout simplifies disaster recovery, as a broadcaster can contract a cloud backup more cost-efficiently than a on-premises playout. This is because a cloud backup has the option to start up and create the operational cost only in the event of a disaster, whereas an on-premises backup needs a dedicated pre-investment, independent from a disaster event.

CONCLUSION

Broadcasters are facing immense challenges, including a growing consumer demand for UHD, personalized and OTT content, and to stay competitive they need flexible, scalable playout solutions. The cloud provides long-term scalability, allowing for channels to be tested and new audiences and regions to be explored. Media companies can introduce new channels fast, and take them down just as quickly, if needed

The capacity of cloud technology to control technology costs and enable flexible business models is being recognized in many industries. In the media world, managing content via the cloud is an opportunity to be more agile, expand reach and better monetize video content.

Frank Hoffmann is senior vice president Strategy, Products and Customer Experience, SES Video.