DENVER—MediaKind has announced the successful completion of its merger with Harmonic’s video business, creating an independent video infrastructure company with more than $250 million in annual revenue.

The integrated portfolio went live at mediakind.com on June 17.

MediaKind reported that the combined company enters the market with more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), and over $150 million in annual appliance revenue. Bringing together complementary strengths across SaaS streaming, appliance platforms and cloud video technologies, MediaKind said that it serves a global blue-chip customer base and is uniquely positioned to help the media industry navigate the next era of streaming and video delivery.

“Bringing these two teams together under one roof is a powerful moment, creating a stronger, more capable partner for the media industry at a time of significant change.” said Allen Broome, CEO of MediaKind. “Outstanding technology, deep expertise, and a shared obsession with customer success — we’re ready to build something exceptional.”

To coincide with the merger, MediaKind has launched its new website. Visitors can now explore how the company is bringing together cloud-native software, SaaS services, and proven video infrastructure into a single, integrated offering at www.mediakind.com.

CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland and PHOENIX—Nagravision today announced the launch of a new fully managed, event-based watermarking-as-a-service solution with Harmonic, extending a long-standing collaboration. The solution will be available as an upgrade for existing Harmonic VOS 360 Media SaaS customers or as part of the NAGRA Streaming Security solution.

The combined, event-ready watermarking-as-a-service solution builds on deep technical integration between Harmonic’s VOS 360 Media solution and NAGRA NexGuard forensic watermarking, a core component of the NAGRA Streaming Security solution that allows rights owners to quickly identify and mitigate illegal restreaming during live events. Together, they enable major live sports and OTT event streamers to activate A/B watermarking— increasingly mandated by content rights holders — with dramatically reduced operational burdens, complexity, and cost.

In addition, the solution removes the challenges of deploying and maintaining the infrastructure required for high-volume, low-latency switching. By deploying NAGRA NexGuard forensic watermarking as a fully managed service on Harmonic’s cloud-native SaaS solution, operators pay only for the events where forensic watermarking is required. Harmonic manages the end-to-end orchestration, scalability and service up-time. This new operational model significantly reduces both per-event cost and internal engineering overheads, Harmonic said.

“As consumers increasingly turn to streaming to watch live events, our customers need powerful security solutions that are effortless to deploy and deliver strong business outcomes,” said Gil Rudge, Senior Vice President, Solutions and Americas Sales at Harmonic.

“Through our long-standing collaboration with Nagravision, we are delivering watermarking-as-a-service that eliminates complexity, lowers costs and activates only when needed. This is exactly the type of agile, event-based security model the market has been asking for.”

“As our industry continues to face high levels of live sports piracy, our customers need solutions that deliver uncompromising security to protect their investments in premium content,” said Stéphane Le Dreau, senior vice president, Global Product Management & Sales Development at Nagravision.

“Our expanded solution with Harmonic makes our well-established edge-based forensic watermarking accessible as an on-demand service that fits the operational realities of today’s major event streamers. It is the pragmatic innovation that the market needs as more live events are delivered via streaming.”

Harmonic will be in Booth W2831 and Nagravision will be in meeting room W2379MR, both in the West Hall of the LVCC during the 2026 NAB Show, April 19-22 in Las Vegas.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that CentralCast, the centralized master control facility for U.S. public media, is using Harmonic to provide improved media processing and video delivery efficiencies for more than 170 public media channels.

As part of the deployment, CentralCast is leveraging Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor to broadcast content to more than half of U.S. public media viewership with exceptional video quality, reliability and efficiency, while minimizing its system footprint and lowering operational costs.

"We support a rapidly growing number of PBS stations. Partnering with Harmonic gives us a solid media processing foundation for easy scaling to meet the evolving needs of member stations," said Steve White, chief technology officer at CentralCast. "The unique design of the XOS media processor features a higher channel density than our previous encoding platform, lowering our operational costs while maintaining the pristine video quality our member stations expect."

Harmonic's XOS media processor unifies all media processing and distribution functions for CentralCast to deliver 176 transport streams. The XOS media processor's cloud-native software streamlines equipment needs, reducing power and cooling expenses. By lowering per-channel bitrate, the XOS processor allows stations to fit additional services into the fixed ATSC bandwidth without compromising video quality, Harmonic reported.

To meet CentralCast's unique audio requirements, Harmonic provides support for automatic switching between embedded 5.1 and 2.0 audio sources, ensuring a seamless audio experience for viewers.

In addition, Harmonic provided CentralCast with a comprehensive range of professional services, including system configuration and testing, speeding up the deployment and bringing efficiencies to public media stations faster.

"We're proud to support CentralCast in advancing its shared master control model and helping public broadcasters preserve local control of their brand, identity, scheduling and long-term business strategy," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, solutions and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. "With the XOS media processor, CentralCast can deliver more channels and services using less hardware, energy and space — a model that embodies the future of efficient, software-defined broadcast operations."

Harmonic will showcase the XOS media processor at the 2026 NAB Show, April 19-22, in Las Vegas in stand W2831. To schedule a meeting with Harmonic, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/nab.

More information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

As UHD, HDR, live sports streaming, immersive audio and even 8K experimentation move into the mainstream, encoding has become a core business strategy. Broadcasters and streaming providers must elevate the viewer experience while reducing bandwidth and infrastructure costs.

Advances in AI-driven optimization, content-aware encoding and next-generation codecs enable operators to deliver higher-quality video at lower bitrates — fundamentally reshaping the delivery of premium video experiences.

Encoding as a Strategic Business Driver
Every additional megabit per second carries a cost — in CDN fees, transport, storage and processing power. At scale, even marginal bit rate reductions translate into substantial operational savings. Conversely, any visible drop in video quality risks churn, particularly in today’s competitive market where viewers can instantly switch services.

The challenge is inherently complex. Service providers must optimize three compression variables simultaneously: video quality, bitrate efficiency/processing power and latency. Improvements in one area often affect another. For example, reducing latency can come at the expense of the bit rate efficiency. Improving video quality by keeping bit rate low can increase computational load. Adding immersive formats increases complexity across the pipeline.

Modern encoding strategies recognize and treat compression as part of the overall delivery strategy, not just a codec setting.

The Rise of AI and ML Encoding Innovations
One of the most significant encoding developments in recent years has been the integration of machine learning into the encoding workflow. Several key enhancements are enabling broadcasters and service providers to deliver higher video quality, lower latency and greater efficiency.

Content-aware encoding
An advanced technique, content-aware encoding identifies visually important regions within video content — such as faces, text overlays or high-detail textures like grass — and prioritizes them for perceptual quality, (Fig. 1). Rather than treating every frame equally, content-aware encoding analyzes content characteristics in real time and allocates bits where they matter most.

Less critical areas receive fewer bits, preserving overall bandwidth while maintaining viewer satisfaction. Sophisticated rate-control algorithms can deliver significant bitrate savings, in some cases up to 50% without visible quality loss.

Real-time VMAF prediction
Today’s advanced encoding solutions can estimate perceptual quality metrics such as Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion (VMAF) during live encoding, enabling service providers to detect potential degradation before it reaches viewers. Real-time VMAF prediction models can achieve high correlation with offline measurements, up to 95%, allowing accurate quality assessment in live workflows and preventive encoding adjustments.

Automated quality analysis
Embedding AI into quality monitoring shifts service providers from reactive troubleshooting to proactive quality management. AI-driven regression testing and automated quality analysis enhance reliability by identifying deviations across nightly and weekly test streams. The result is a more resilient encoding pipeline where quality is continuously optimized. Service providers benefit by delivering better perceptual quality at lower bit rates, reducing distribution costs.

Intelligent node rebalancing
AI-driven algorithms assess system load, content complexity and processing demands to guide dynamic node rebalancing. This encoding approach enables more consistent resource allocation and stable video quality across distributed deployments.

GPU enhancements
GPU-accelerated enhancements play a pivotal role in the next generation of encoding. By integrating AI-driven pre-processing (like superscaling, denoising or deinterlacing) and GPU-enabled encoding control (like fine-grained Quantization Parameter -QP- control into the GPU pipeline), modern encoding platforms can deliver significant gains in performance and efficiency.

Preparing for the Next Generation of Codecs
While AI optimizations improve encoding efficiency within existing standards, broadcasters and service providers must also prepare their workflows and infrastructure for next-generation codecs.

Versatile Video Coding (VVC) promises up to 50% bitrate savings over HEVC while maintaining exceptional visual quality and is the selected codec for next-gen broadcasting standards like DTV+. Historically promoted as a royalty-free codec alternative, AV1 continues to gain momentum in OTT ecosystems with an improved efficiency compared to legacy codecs. And Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding (LCEVC) offers a scalable enhancement layer that can improve compression efficiency without requiring full codec replacement.

Audio codec innovation further expands the scope of modern encoding platforms. Object-based formats such as MPEG-H and Dolby AC-4 enable immersive, personalized experiences. Dialog separation and accessibility features enable broadcasters and service providers to deliver personalized audio experiences to audiences. Moreover, support for object-based metadata for both MPEG-H and AC-4 enables precise audio rendering and personalization.

To accommodate for all these changes, a key strategic consideration for encoding is flexibility. Broadcasters and service providers cannot afford disruptive, large-scale infrastructure replacements every few years. Scalable encoding pipelines — capable of supporting multiple codecs, base layers and enhancement layers — allow gradual transitions aligned with market and business demands.

Powering Next-Gen Video with High Density, Low Latency and Immersive Readiness
Delivering next-generation video experiences requires broadcasters and service providers to handle intensive workloads with precision and reliability. Advanced encoding architectures are being designed for high-density and error-resilient performance. This, in turn, is laying the foundation for higher resolutions, lower latency, immersive formats and emerging viewing experiences.

Certain applications such as live sports streaming highlight why high-performance encoding architectures are essential. For instance, live sports streaming and interactive applications require high quality and a low degree of latency. Optimized pipelines reduce glass-to-glass delay while maintaining compression efficiency. This is essential for betting integrations, synchronized second-screen experiences and social engagement.

At the same time, experimentation with 8K and immersive video formats is accelerating. Encoding technology providers like Harmonic are trialing OTT profile ladders derived from an 8K source stream, processed in the cloud using both CPU and GPU resources. The profile ladder showcased in Figure 2 was processed in the cloud and would have been cost prohibitive two years ago. These trials illustrate the industry’s move toward higher resolutions delivered efficiently through hybrid compute architectures.

Even if 8K remains niche in the near term, the underlying engineering advances — high-density processing, scalable cloud-native workflows and error-free multi-profile generation — lay the groundwork for spatial computing, VR and headset-based experiences.

The New Compression Imperative
Ultimately, the latest encoding innovations enable broadcasters and service providers to deliver superior video quality at lower bitrates while reducing costs. Content-aware encoding, AI advancements and emerging codecs all have a role to play in helping service providers deliver premium experiences with the utmost efficiency.

In an era defined by subscriber churn, cost cutting and relentless viewer expectations, video compression remains a strategic necessity. Service providers that treat encoding as a core priority will be best positioned to thrive in the next phase of video evolution.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic will demonstrate hybrid streaming solutions, newly enhanced with Model Context Protocol (MCP) standard support for AI applications, during the 2026 NAB Show, April 18-22, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The streaming solution, which provides for cloud-native deployment on Red Hat OpenShift and intelligent video asset orchestration, unlocks new efficiencies for service providers.

“Harmonic is redefining how service providers manage streaming operations across on-premises and cloud environments with industry-first technology innovations,” said Mikel Darrigues, senior director of streaming solutions at Harmonic. “Our intelligent, flexible approach to video operations helps streaming service providers drive greater efficiency, lower costs and consistently deliver exceptional viewer experiences.”

With standardized MCP connectivity, centralized control and unified access to operational data, the solution allows service providers to integrate their own AI agents with Harmonic’s central management technology, enabling them to build capabilities like root cause analysis, self-healing, cost optimization and intelligent asset movements.

Harmonic’s VOS Media Software is a comprehensive video platform optimized for the Red Hat OpenShift platform, currently deployed with an industry-leading European service provider. The hybrid streaming solution leverages VOS software to support the entire video workflow.

This is architected as containerized microservices that use OpenShift's orchestration, advanced security and scaling capabilities. Harmonic’s hybrid streaming solution on OpenShift addresses both broadcast and OTT applications on a single unified platform, enabling service providers to execute quick launches of services, such as premium live streaming, time-shift TV, network DVR and targeted ad insertion.

Harmonic’s hybrid streaming solution features intelligent, policy-driven orchestration of video content across hybrid infrastructure. The solution analyzes content access patterns and automatically moves VOD and network PVR assets across storage tiers based on demand, performance requirements and cost-optimization policies.

By combining origin heat analysis with policy-driven asset migration, it enables service providers to simplify operations with centralized visibility, eliminate manual asset management and reduce storage costs.

See Harmonic at 2026 NAB Show booth W2831.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced significant enhancements to its XOS Advanced Media Processor that lower the cost of broadcast distribution while enabling outstanding viewing experiences.

The expanded capabilities to the media processor are designed to improve operations for the migration from C-Band satellite to Ku-Band and IP distribution, the continued rollout of ATSC 3.0 in the United States and the adoption of DTV+ in Brazil.

"Broadcasters around the world are navigating major transformations, from spectrum reallocations to migrations to next-generation television standards like ATSC 3.0 and DTV+," said Stéphane Cloirec, vice president, video appliances and software product management, video business at Harmonic. "With newly enhanced capabilities, our XOS Advanced Media Processor eases these transitions, helping broadcasters modernize operations, deliver richer viewing experiences and reduce infrastructure complexity."

Harmonic's XOS media processor combines advanced playout, premium encoding and broadcast delivery workflows into a single solution for broadcast distribution.

Harmonic reported that the latest enhancements to the XOS media processor enable broadcasters to:

• Enhance the ATSC 3.0 Viewer Experience. As ATSC 3.0 deployments continue across the U.S., broadcasters are looking to enhance the viewing experience. Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor supports Dolby Vision® advanced HDR with look management, enabling broadcasters to optimize HDR content across display types and preserve creative intent on any screen. The XOS media processor also includes Dolby Atmos object-based audio with support for audio description and dialog enhancement, improving accessibility and allowing for more immersive viewer experiences. These innovations enable broadcasters to deliver richer NextGen TV applications while leveraging the same software-based playout-to-delivery workflow.
• Power Cost-Effective DTV+ Deployment. Harmonic's XOS media processor lowers the cost of DTV+ deployments by integrating playout, encoding and gateway functionality into a single appliance. The solution supports advanced codecs including VVC, LCEVC and MPEG-H audio, enabling broadcasters to deliver low-latency, high-quality video and audio experiences while optimizing bandwidth efficiency. In addition, the XOS media processor integrates ROUTE and STLTP gateway functionality for centralized management of all DTV+ parameters, further reducing deployment costs.
• Simplify the Transition to IP Delivery. Harmonic's XOS media processor supports traditional satellite workflows in addition to IP-based distribution using SRT or RIST together with CDN distribution while maintaining exceptional video quality and low latency. The media processor offers hybrid satellite and IP delivery, leveraging emerging standards like satellite Ku-Band downlink and RIST packet recovery over IP to help broadcasters ensure a smooth migration away from legacy satellite infrastructure while maintaining broadcast-grade service reliability for primary distribution.

Harmonic will demonstrate the latest innovations to the XOS Advanced Media Processor at the 2026 NAB Show, April 19-22, in Las Vegas in booth W2831. To schedule a meeting with the company, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/nab/.

Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has introduced Spectrum X Plus, the newest generation of its Spectrum X media server, offering double the channel density of previous generations. The company will showcase the new server at the 2026 NAB Show, April 18-22 in Las Vegas.

Harmonic says Spectrum X Plus dramatically simplifies video ingest and playout functions for broadcasters and content owners, significantly lowering the total cost per channel for broadcast delivery. Spectrum X Plus strengthens Harmonic’s playout-to-delivery solutions by enabling broadcasters to deploy high performance playout infrastructure on premises, in the cloud with Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS, and in hybrid environments, according to the company.

“As broadcasters face growing cost pressures and increasingly complex workflows, Spectrum X Plus provides the flexibility, performance and future-ready architecture they need to modernize ingest, production and playout operations,” said Stephane Cloirec, vice president, video appliance and software product management at Harmonic. “With Spectrum X Plus, we’re responding to customer demand for higher channel density and lower cost per channel without compromising the outstanding quality and reliability that Harmonic solutions are known for. The next-generation media server also paves the way for future integration of AI-based applications such as Harmonic’s AI orchestration service.”

Offering up to eight HD channels or two UHD channels per server, Spectrum X Plus significantly reduces rack space, power consumption and operating costs for broadcasters and content owners. The high-performance baseband video server supports multichannel ingest, studio and news production, channel-in-a-box and integrated playout workflows.

Spectrum X Plus streamlines video playout with integrated onboard graphics, audio loudness control, MCR switching and subtitle insertion. The media server also provides innovative capabilities for next-generation production including support for UHD workflows such as 3D LUT-based HDR conversions, immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H as well as multiple resolutions, frame rates and codec formats.

LUT-based HDR conversions, immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H as well as multiple resolutions, frame rates and codec formats.

Built on a flexible, software-based architecture, Spectrum X Plus eliminates the constraints of traditional hardware-centric systems, Harmonic says. The next-generation media server enhances performance for SMPTE ST 2110 environments, supporting SDI and SMPTE ST 2110 IP I/O, or hybrid configurations. This advanced feature enables broadcasters to transition seamlessly from traditional SDI to fully IP-based workflows.

Spectrum X Plus shares the same file and graphics formats with VOS360 Media and can be controlled by the same automation and traffic systems. This enables broadcasters to easily expand any Spectrum X system with cloud playout resources. The transition is seamless for broadcasters, allowing hybrid playout infrastructures to support service continuity and the rapid launch of pop-up channels in the cloud through fluid operations.

The media server’s software-driven architecture also enables GPU acceleration and deployment of AI-based capabilities such as automated captioning, translation and other value-added workflows, helping broadcasters further streamline operations and reduce costs.

Harmonic will demonstrate its new Spectrum X Plus media server at its NAB Show Booth, W2831, in the West Hall of the LVCC.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic will unveil enhancements to its video appliances and SaaS solutions highlighting a next-generation media server and new AI-driven innovations, designed to streamline video workflows and reduce operational costs during the 2026 NAB Show, April 18-22, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic is bringing practical, readily deployable solutions that help media companies monetize more effectively in an increasingly IP- and AI-driven environment,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, solutions and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic.

“Across our portfolio of video appliances, hybrid and SaaS solutions, we’re enabling customers to minimize TCO [total cost of ownership], unlock more meaningful revenue opportunities and stay ahead in an evolving media landscape.”

At the show, Harmonic will unveil the next generation of its Spectrum X media server that simplifies video ingest and playout functions, lowering total cost per channel for broadcast delivery.

Harmonic will also highlight how its XOS Advanced Media Processor supports broadcasters as they transition to ATSC 3.0 and DTV+ or migrate away from C-Band spectrum, offering a simplified, cost-effective, all-in-one solution on a single appliance. XOS media processor combines advanced playout, premium encoding and DTV+ and ATSC delivery and can be deployed in headends and at affiliates.

The company will also showcase its first large production deployment of VOS Media Software on Red Hat OpenShift, further advancing its hybrid streaming solution with central management across private and public cloud environments.

Harmonic will feature its first production deployment of server-side in-stream advertising by a U.S. regional sports network. The solution automatically triggers in-stream ads during live games, boosting monetization without interrupting the viewing experience.

It also will feature a new in-house, server-side multiview solution that can now be configured within Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS to boost fan engagement. The solution can be combined with in-stream ads to monetize multiview channels and increase revenue.

The company will also offer smarter streaming solutions with AI-powered workflows, including:

• A new AI orchestration service that aggregates, orchestrates, maintains and updates best-of-breed third party and in-house AI functions. It coordinates AI-based processing for live content, manages redundancy and synchronizes outputs. Users can configure and schedule the AI functions to be activated on the fly via its intuitive UI.
• The new offering is a broadcast-grade, resilient and fully secured service that works alongside VOS360 Media SaaS, VOS Media Software, XOS media processor and the next-generation Spectrum X.
• Harmonic’s AI service, powered by NVIDIA GPU acceleration, also supports new advanced server-side HD-to-UHD upscaling, delivering superior video quality on 4K displays even when production is limited to full HD.

Harmonic CTO Moore Macauley will discuss how AI is transforming broadcast and streaming workflows during the Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference on April 18.

See Harmonic at 2026 NAB Show booth W2831.

CHICAGO—Weigel Broadcasting’s mission is to bring audiences the best in classic and contemporary entertainment. From MeTV, America’s leading classic television network, and Catchy Comedy to Movies!, Heroes & Icons and more, we deliver programming that connects generations of viewers across the United States.

To support our expanding portfolio of networks and affiliate stations, we needed exceptional-quality programming and modern technology to efficiently scale our operations. Managing a network of 25 television stations and multiple digital networks using hardware-heavy systems—with standalone encoders, playout servers and PSIP generators—was becoming increasingly complex. Each new station required more “pizza box” appliances, adding costs, maintenance and interoperability headaches.

It was time to rethink our broadcast infrastructure and break free from hardware limitations.

VOS Media Software
Our goal was clear: consolidate workflows, reduce hardware and create a future-ready foundation to sustain our rapid growth. We wanted a unified solution that would simplify our operations, eliminate redundant equipment and provide the flexibility to scale efficiently as we expanded into new markets.

From the start, we knew that a cloud-native approach to playout and delivery would be key to transforming how we operate. We chose Harmonic’s VOS Media Software to modernize our broadcast distribution, centralize control and simplify operations.

Harmonic’s VOS Media Software allows us to integrate automation, advanced playout, premium encoding and all the broadcast-grade capabilities we rely on into one streamlined platform. Instead of a patchwork of hardware at every site, everything is managed centrally, with greater control and efficiency.

With VOS Media Software, we can preassemble all channels and distribute air-ready signals directly to our owned stations. This change eliminates the need for local hardware at each station and dramatically simplifies channel origination.

Today, we manage 41 ATSC 1.0 signals, spanning both HD and SD channels, from a single, centralized environment. Our operations and engineering teams now control 24/7 linear channel origination, branding, statistical multiplexing and content delivery, all through a unified web interface.

What once required multiple systems for captioning, watermarking, graphics insertion and delay-line programming now lives entirely within the VOS platform. Harmonic’s containerized architecture makes it easy to scale resources up or down dynamically. If we need to launch a new channel or expand services in a market, we can do so almost instantly without new hardware investments or long deployment cycles.

Efficiency and Scalability
The results were immediate. By consolidating workflows into a single software environment, we’ve reduced hardware costs, eliminated interoperability challenges and simplified management for our engineering teams. Previously, adding a new station required weeks to procure and install hardware; now, it’s as simple as allocating more software capacity.

The shift to a subscription-based model has brought predictability. We can align costs with usage and redirect savings toward content creation and audience engagement—freeing up funds to invest in innovation.

Beyond cost savings, the transition to Harmonic’s VOS Media Software has modernized our operations. The same system now supports ATSC, streaming and split-signal workflows, positioning us to evolve alongside the industry and successfully meet our viewers’ needs. We’ve created all ATSC 1.0 multiprogram transport streams with well over 100 separate channels powered by VOS Media Software that feature SCTE-35-based ad insertion, opening new monetization opportunities.

Collaborating with Harmonic has reshaped how we think about broadcast operations. By embracing this playout-to-delivery transformation, we’ve not only simplified our workflows but also unlocked new creative and business potential. For Weigel Broadcasting, it’s the start of a new era that is defined by agility, efficiency and growth.

More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

DENVER—MediaKind, a global provider of cloud-based video streaming technology announced today that it is acquiring the video business of Harmonic Inc. for approximately $145 million. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, MediaKind said.

The acquisition comes two years after Harmonic announced its plans to put its video business on the block. Although at the time, the company had been seeing a decline in the revenues of its video division, recently it has seen steady growth driven largely by its video SaaS service, which reported record revenues of $16.1 million in its most recent quarter.

Harmonic entered the video business with the acquisition of Omneon, a provider of storage and transcoding technology in 2010. MediaKind was rebranded from Ericsson Media Solutions in 2018.

MediaKind says the transaction will create “a world-class independent SaaS streaming infrastructure provider by combining two established video technology organizations with complementary strengths in SaaS streaming, appliance platforms, and cloud AV workloads.

It says the combined company will serve a blue-chip customer base, generate more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), over $150 million in annual appliance revenue, and, as a business 100% focused on video, create an enhanced foundation for long-term growth. The company adds that it expects the transaction is expected “to strengthen financial and operational stability, giving customers greater confidence in the continuity and reliability of their video-infrastructure partner as the market evolves.”

“This combination would represent a meaningful step forward in our long-term strategy and reflect our commitment to supporting customers with enhanced product solutions,” said Allen Broome, CEO of MediaKind. “By joining Harmonic’s Video Business with MediaKind, we would strengthen our ability to invest across our entire portfolio, led by an expanded and complementary research and development platform that will significantly accelerate innovation. Together, we would create the leading independent streaming infrastructure company, giving customers a stronger, more reliable partner to power the future of video.”

Nimrod Ben-Natan, president and chief executive officer of Harmonic added, “This strategic transaction will, if completed, advance the growth strategies of both companies. It would allow Harmonic to zero in on its core Broadband segment, while ensuring the Video Business, its customers and dedicated employees become part of an organization committed to the future of video delivery. We are incredibly proud of our Video team’s accomplishments and look forward to the next chapter of this business’s growth under MediaKind.”

Since the beginning of commercial television, advertising has been a key part of broadcasting. Over the years, the technology for inserting ads into programs has developed to the point where there is now a whole technological subsection dedicated to it. Ad tech encompasses not only scheduling and playing commercials but also directing them to their correct destinations on the wide variety of platforms and devices now in use, increasingly with a high degree of personalization.

The growth of the streaming sector and the corresponding increase in the adoption of connected televisions (CTVs) have added to the reach and complexity of ad tech. Among trends identified by Allan Nicholson, senior director of advertising solutions and strategy at Harmonic, is the move by some broadcasters to enable programmatic buy-in—also known as programmatic advertising, using automated, data-driven techniques for buying and selling ad slots—on linear broadcast platforms.

“Some of them are also the broadcasters that are making the transition to become more streaming-focused and they’re adopting streaming ad tech for personalization,“ he said. “The other trend we're seeing is broadcasters enabling service providers to start monetizing services using DAI [dynamic ad insertion]. The way to think of this is as a linear to programmatic [application] for monetization, as opposed to the programmatic to linear trend, which enables linear broadcast.”

More Engagement, Less ‘Ad Fatigue’
In the streaming market, and particularly for live sports, Nicholson said operators are personalizing new ad formats, such as L-shaped double boxes (a form of nonlinear addressable TV advertising), squeeze backs (where the program is minimized to give prominence to the ad) and overlays (nonlinear ad banners, tickers and scrolling text alongside the main program).

“And they're all opting to do this server-side,“ he said. “These new ad formats are really all about increasing ad loads while maintaining new engagement and avoiding ad fatigue.”

The coming together of linear and streamed (digital) platforms—at least in the minds of viewers—is also highlighted by Dan Walsh, senior vice president of product management at Imagine Communications.

“Broadcasters and streaming providers are under growing pressure to bridge the gap between linear and digital operations,“ he said. “Audiences don't distinguish between platforms; they simply expect access to content wherever and however they choose to watch. But many broadcasters are still managing these environments separately, which creates inefficiencies and limits their ability to fully monetize inventory.

“To address these issues, the industry is shifting toward a unified advertising approach, often referred to as ‘Total TV,’ which focuses less on delivery mechanisms and more on audience value,” Walsh added.

This, he explained, is being driven by automation across ad sales, trafficking and optimization: “That reduces costs, improves yield and frees teams from the manual processes that have long defined traditional ad sales.”

With streamers now delivering linear programming as well as their core services, David Dembowski, chief revenue officer at Operative, said everything is now about a viewing experience, including the ads.

“The reason why streamers chose to use a digital platform is primarily because of impression-based sales or, put another way, addressable offerings,” Dembrowski said. “We have a client that was adamant about break-based ad sales, but recently has gone to impression-based sales. There are a lot of reasons for this, but it is mostly because of targeting and measurement.”

‘Unprecedented Opportunities’
Through the introduction of impression-based sales on what Dembowski describes as “the big screen” approach, TV has become a “full funnel advertising platform.” This, he says, goes from a broad approach—high-profile, big automobile or movie launches—to something based more on buying behavior.

“And it shows what's so exciting about CTV,” he added. “Take the example of Amazon [Prime Video], which was an SVOD streamer, always on-demand, up until about three years ago. Then they signed the relationship with [NFL] “Thursday Night Football.” What they've been able to do is expand the TAM [total addressable marketplace] of advertisers that had never even considered buying the NFL on prior platforms. It's created an unprecedented opportunity for new advertisers to get exposure to an audience that was out of reach for years.“

Paul Davies, head of marketing at DAI technology specialist Yospace, said the company prefers the term “addressability” to personalization.

“The reason is that personalization makes you think of an ad targeted at an individual,” he explained. “What we see is that the true value of CTV/OTT advertising is in measurement. We are able to deliver real-time viewing metrics on a one-to-one addressable level, which means that advertisers going to broadcasters to use their CTV inventory are able to get similar types of metrics to those they’re able to get in other digital channels, such as social media.”

Impact of AI
As with other areas of broadcasting, artificial intelligence is top of mind. Davies said he is hearing “lots of discussion” about it, including the potential for Generative AI to create “truly personalized ad creatives” for each viewer.

“I would say there are legal and technical hurdles to that, which would mean perhaps broadcasters aren't jumping on them as opportunities straightaway,” he observed. “One of the reasons why TV advertising is so popular is because of the premium quality and delivery and the fact that it's considered brand-safe.’

Dan Walsh at Imagine said the use of AI in ad tech is “in its early stages” but is being used to identify and enhance factors that produce good results. “By combining optimization tools with AI capabilities, broadcasters can further refine audience targeting and campaign performance,” he said.

Operative's David Dembowski said AI gives “the chance to accelerate the knowledge, workflows and outcomes” being used. “The application of AI to on-board data has cut times by more than half,” he observed. “It's created efficiencies that are so critical in today's world.”

For instance, Harmonic’s Nicholson said his company uses its "homegrown AI technologies" to help advertisers target audiences based on contextual information contained in frames of video prior to ad breaks. “This means you don't have to use personal identity information and can avoid regulatory issues,” he said.

The relationship between TV and streaming advertising may still not be a totally warm one, but ad tech is at least making it possible for broadcasters to show audiences commercials they might actually want to see or are interested in. Or at least are not driven mad by.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that Telia, the second-largest telecom operator in Norway, is modernizing its broadband network with the company’s cOS virtualized broadband platform.

Harmonic said the solution will allow Telia to deliver more reliable, higher-speed connectivity, improve customer experience, reduce churn and support long-term revenue growth by accelerating its migration to DOCSIS 3.1.

“We seized the opportunity to transform our network to continue delivering what matters most to our customers: superior-quality, blazing-fast, reliable broadband connectivity,” Telia Norway Chief Technology Officer Georg Erling Svendsen said. “The strategic collaboration with Harmonic allows us to tap into the efficiencies of the cOS vCMTS software and bring outstanding broadband experiences to our customers across Norway.”

As part of the deployment, Telia is replacing its end-of-life broadband routers to embrace Harmonic's virtualized cOS platform deployed in a DAA.

The Harmonic platform offers seamless integration with existing third-party Remote-PHY nodes for critical interoperability. By migrating to the cOS platform, Telia will gain a resilient, software-based network infrastructure that enhances reliability, ensures high availability for broadband services and lowers costs by reducing space, power and hardware needs, Harmonic said.

In addition, Harmonic's cOS Central services will provide Telia with automation, advanced analytics and real-time visibility across the network to ensure consistently reliable, high-quality service. Working in tandem with cOS Central, Harmonic's Beacon ISM application will enhance spectrum efficiency and maximize bandwidth while reducing truck rolls. Combined, the Harmonic solutions will empower Telia to elevate the quality of experience for its customers, lowering subscriber churn, the two companies reported.

Harmonic is also providing Telia with a full spectrum of professional deployment services, including installation, server configuration, technical support and on-site engineering training.

“Harmonic’s collaboration with Telia builds on our growing momentum with leading operators across Europe who are embracing the cOS platform to accelerate broadband transformation,” Stefan Meier, vice president of broadband sales, Europe at Harmonic, said. “With the cOS platform, Telia can deliver exceptional broadband experiences marked by faster speeds, reliable service and always-on connectivity and stay ahead in a fast-moving market space.”

More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com/broadband.

New England Sports Network (NESN) has chosen Harmonic, working with Astound Business Solutions, as its enterprise technology partner to transform primary distribution of live sports.

NESN is leveraging Harmonic’s technology, including its XOS Advanced Media Processor and DMS X Distribution Management System, to deliver video to 4 million homes and unlock new monetization opportunities.

“Harmonic’s XOS media processor provides us with a rock-solid, reliable foundation for distributing sports content to our affiliates,” said Kenny Elcock, vice president of technology at NESN.

“The software-based primary distribution solution has set us up for immediate success, while providing the flexibility to add new, advanced features in the future. Even better, the XOS solution features game-changing ad insertion capabilities at the edge, paving the way for exciting new revenue opportunities.”

Relying on Harmonic technology for primary distribution, NESN securely distributes live sports content to its affiliates, including cable, telco and video streaming providers, over managed IP and open internet delivery networks, the company said.

Harmonic’s XOS media processor ensures high-quality video for NESN while delivering up to 50% bitrate savings through AI-powered EyeQ content-aware encoding for cost-effective video quality optimization. The processor extends support for video formats up to 4K HDR, it said.

The company’s ProStream X stream processor distributes live sports to all affiliates using Secure Reliable Transport (SRT), it said.

Harmonic’s DMS X solution for the XOS media processor provides efficient centralized management for ad insertion, program localization and remote playout. It also enables HTML graphics, clips and playlist insertion as well as supports edge device monitoring, elevating primary distribution for NESN, the company said.

Astound Business Solutions ensured deployment went smoothly, which allowed NESN to launch its new primary distribution platform in two months. Astound also provides NESN with its distribution network, end-to-end management of video services and continuous network monitoring to ensure operational success, Harmonic said.

Harmonic will showcase its primary distribution solution during 2025 NAB Show New York, Oct. 22-23, at the Javits Center in New York City.

See Harmonic at 2025 NAB Show New York booth 533.

More information is available on the company’s website.

AI is a transformative force in the media and entertainment industry, reshaping how video is delivered, monetized and consumed. For streaming providers, broadcasters and sports networks, AI has become a cornerstone of innovation. Leveraging AI, service providers can deliver higher-quality experiences while reducing operational costs and unlocking new revenue opportunities.

AI is being applied across the entire video delivery chain, driving efficiencies for video service providers and enhancing viewer engagement. From smarter video compression to workflow automation, audience engagement and monetization, AI is powering the next era of video streaming.

Achieving Smarter Video Compression with AI
The latest video compression technologies are using machine learning to mimic the human visual system, intelligently allocating bits where they matter most to viewers.

This approach brings efficient variable bitrate encoding to the ABR ladders used for OTT delivery and provides up to 50% bitrate savings while maintaining exceptional video quality. Through a two-step AI/ML pipeline that includes offline learning and real-time encoding, AI optimizes compression efficiency, reducing both storage and CDN costs for service providers.

Ultimately, AI enables service providers to deliver UHD-quality video and beyond at significantly lower bitrates, cutting costs without compromising the viewer experience. For viewers, it ensures consistently smooth, high-quality streams, even in situations where bandwidth is constrained.

Increasing Workflow Efficiency through AI Automation
AI-based analysis is now reducing the human labor involved in creating video streaming channels, helping service providers scale faster and more cost-effectively. There are several key applications where AI is improving workflow efficiency for video streaming.

Automatic scheduling and channel creation: With AI-driven automation, tasks that once required hours of manual configuration can be performed in minutes. For instance, AI models can automatically generate schedules for linear streaming channels as well as create new channels based on topics or themes.

Automatic ad break detection: Through AI, service providers can automatically insert ad breaks in VOD assets and live content, enabling monetization of any feed without the need for production crews or manual operations.

Dynamic brand insertion: AI is opening up new opportunities for dynamic brand insertion, also referred to as in-content virtual product placement. This approach goes beyond traditional ad breaks by seamlessly blending branded content into the video stream. For example, AI can digitally insert a targeted ad in the form of a billboard, logo or product directly into the scene. While typically processed offline rather than live, these techniques create highly targeted monetization opportunities, allowing service providers to maximize ad value without disrupting the viewer experience.

Real-time sports highlights: Service providers are leveraging AI to create sports highlights in real time. Using AI streamlines highlight production, enabling broadcasters and streaming platforms to meet the viewer demand for engaging, bite-size content.

Driving Audience Engagement via AI
Viewer expectations are evolving rapidly, particularly for live sports streaming where real-time interaction and personalization are becoming the norm. Service providers can stay ahead of this trend and transform fan engagement by leveraging AI and generative AI.

AI-based analysis, combined with generative AI tools, is enabling automatic creation of highlight clips, automated translation with voice cloning or over-dubbing across multiple language and interactive fan experiences. For example, a live sports event can be delivered with localized commentary in multiple languages, ensuring global accessibility and inclusivity.

AI-driven sports clipping further enriches programming by automatically detecting high-action or emotional moments and re-packaging them for social media or second-screen experiences. This not only boosts engagement but also extends monetization opportunities through new ad inventory and sponsorship placements.

Elevating Monetization and Personalization via AI
AI is enabling contextually relevant advertising, boosting monetization for streaming providers in today’s highly fragmented and competitive market.

Leveraging AI, service providers can automatically detect ad breaks in live sports content and insert the SCTE-35 markers needed for downstream ad insertion. When offering innovative in-stream ad formats such as split-screen ads or dynamic overlays, streamers can use AI to detect high- and low-action moments in a game and trigger the automatic insertion of the in-stream ad units.

Delivering contextually relevant full-screen ads and non-intrusive in-stream ads will boost viewer engagement, satisfaction and loyalty to the streaming platform. For service providers, this translates into higher ad revenue, reduced churn and stronger relationships with viewers.

The Bigger Picture: AI as a Catalyst for Video Streaming Efficiency & Revenue Growth
AI has become a catalyst for efficiency and revenue growth in the video streaming industry. By optimizing compression, streamlining workflows, boosting viewer engagement and unlocking monetization, AI enables media companies to thrive in a competitive environment.

At a time when audience expectations are soaring and profitability pressures are rising, AI provides media companies with critical tools to stay ahead. As service providers embrace AI across their video streaming operations, they will be empowered to streamline video workflows, deliver richer streaming experiences and capture new revenue streams, creating lasting value for viewers.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced a series of improvements to its live sports streaming solution that the company said will improve fan engagement, protect sports content against piracy and maximize monetization for service providers and sports broadcasters.

Comprised of VOS®360 Media SaaS and VOS360 Ad SaaS, Harmonic's cloud-native streaming solution is designed to transform sports viewing experiences through such advanced features as geo-synced low latency, interactive multiview, real-time AI-driven highlight creation, robust anti-piracy safeguards and in-stream advertising.

Harmonic will be showcasing the solution at IBC2025.

"The latest advancements to our live sports streaming solution redefine the playbook for next-gen fan experiences," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, solutions and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. "As a leading technology provider in live sports streaming, we continue to invest in meaningful enhancements such as low-latency streaming and seamless redundancy. We are also expanding our ecosystem through partner integrations. These efforts enable service providers and sports broadcasters to deliver more immersive and engaging fan experiences while protecting premium assets and driving new revenue."

Harmonic described its key features as follows:

• Delivering Next-Gen Sports Streaming with Low Latency. Harmonic's live sports streaming solution enables service providers and sports broadcasters to deliver low-latency streams while maintaining a geo-redundant architecture with seamless failover. By overcoming key technical barriers, the solution enables synchronized delivery of low-latency streams from two redundant VOS360 platforms. This is a significant advancement for the video industry, enabling sub-five-second latency without compromising reliability.
• Transforming Fan Engagement with Multiview and AI-Driven Highlight Creation. Harmonic is partnering with industry-leading technology providers Skreens and VisualOn to offer engaging multiview experiences on its live sports streaming solution. Leveraging advanced multiview capabilities, fans can watch and interact with multiple live games on the same screen.
• Harmonic's live sports streaming solution elevates fan engagement by enabling automatic scene detection and analysis as well as AI-driven sports clipping for real-time highlight creation.
• Reducing Sports Piracy through CDN and Watermarking Integrations. Harmonic is combatting sports piracy by integrating sophisticated anti-piracy features, including forensic watermarking and geo-blocking, on its live sports streaming solution. The solution features CDN-level authentication and access control services, as well as dynamic watermarking services provided by key technology vendors, allowing content providers to quickly identify piracy sources and stop content restreaming.
• Unlocking New Revenue Streams with In-Stream Advertising. Harmonic's live sports streaming solution provides in-stream advertising through server-side insertion of new addressable ad formats such as double-box and dynamic L-bars. The in-stream ads can be strategically placed at high- and low-action moments of the game. This is achieved through automated triggering from external data feeds, via manual operation or with AI-enhanced automatic ad triggering. Dynamic integration of in-stream ads within live programming preserves viewer engagement, amplifies brand awareness and maximizes monetization opportunities for sports publishers.

Harmonic will demonstrate its innovative live sports streaming solution at IBC2025, Sept. 12-15 in booth 1.B20. To schedule a meeting with Harmonic, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/ibc/.

More information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Brazilian video streaming platform Globoplay has deployed Harmonic’s VOS 360 Media SaaS solution for low-latency live streaming during the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A soccer championship.

Globo-owned Globoplay, Brazil’s largest video streaming platform, is using the Harmonic platform to stream matches with pristine video quality and near-real-time viewing experiences, the company said.

“Streaming over 300 matches across 38 rounds of Brazil’s top football championship requires us to lean on a technology partner that can deliver true broadcast-grade performance at scale,” Diego Ramos, digital platform director at Globo, said.

“After a rigorous evaluation process, we selected Harmonic for their proven low-latency streaming technology, cloud flexibility and exceptional DevOps support—all of which enable us to captivate fans with unforgettable live sports streaming experiences.”

Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS simplifies all stages of media processing and streaming delivery, according to the company. Globo is running the solution in a public cloud region geographically close to its operations. The deployment was the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple Globo teams with support from Harmonic. The joint work spanned adjustments to video systems, fine-tuning of the CDN and ensuring compatibility across players, contributing to a robust and reliable rollout, Harmonic said.

“We’re thrilled to support Globo in transforming how football fans across Brazil experience live sports,” Gil Rudge, senior vice president, solutions and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic, said. “This win reinforces Harmonic’s leadership in powering live sports streaming at scale and highlights our commitment to enabling superior viewer experiences across any screen.”

Harmonic will demonstrate the streaming solutions at SET Expo 2025, Aug. 19-21, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the SDB Multimidia booth 38.

See Harmonic at IBC2025, Sept. 12-15, in Amsterdam in Stand 1.B20.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic will showcase video streaming and broadcast delivery innovations during IBC2025, set for Sept. 12-15 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

The company will spotlight hybrid cloud and on-premises streaming solutions, artificial intelligence-driven workflows, ad insertion technologies and advancements in live sports streaming. The solutions enable broadcasters and service providers to elevate viewer engagement, unlock new monetization opportunities and improve operational efficiency across their video infrastructure, the company said.

“At IBC2025, Harmonic is excited to highlight innovations designed to help broadcasters, streamers and service providers maximize their investments across their video workflows,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, solutions and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. “Our commitment to pioneering compelling, industry-relevant video solutions that drive the industry forward is empowering broadcasters and service providers to deliver exceptional value to their audiences.”

Harmonic will showcase solutions that increase agility and streamline operations. Harmonic will feature its Software Spectrum X media server with twice the channel density for UHD workflows, resulting in higher video resolution and outstanding QoE for viewers.

To enhance bandwidth efficiency for 5G applications, Harmonic’s advanced video compression technology enables HD video delivery at low bitrates over 5G networks leveraging the VVC codec and DVB-NIP standard.

The company will feature its approach to hybrid streaming with centralized orchestration that allows users to take advantage of on-prem and cloud deployments at the same time.

Harmonic will show its playout-to-delivery solution available on VOS 360 Media SaaS for cloud and on VOS Media Software and XOS Advanced Media Processor for on-premises.

Harmonic's focus at the show on maximizing revenue is centered on transforming programmatic ad buys, making ads more impactful and boosting ad revenue. The company will showcase a solution that uses programmatic ad-buying efficiencies for linear TV, connecting traditional and digital advertising models.

It will also feature automatic insertion of in-stream formats using AI to detect relevant moments in live sports action. These new ad units keep viewers engaged, ensure brand safety and raise CPM values.

Powered by AI, Harmonic's VOS360 Ad SaaS automatically inserts ad breaks in VOD assets and live content, enabling monetization of any feed without the need for production crews or manual operations.

For live sports streaming, Harmonic will demonstrate its solution that maximizes monetization, protects sports content against piracy and enhances fan engagement with geo-sync low latency and advanced multiview capabilities.

It will also show AI-powered features including speech-to-text AI, AI-driven sports clipping for real-time highlight creation and automated translation with voice cloning or overdubbing in any language.

At IBC, Alex Paugam, Harmonic senior director of business development and global strategic accounts, will join Mick McCluskey, vice president of product management at Enghouse Networks, to highlight the power of collaboration in driving direct-to-consumer sports innovation.

See Harmonic at IBC 2025 Stand 1.B20.

More information is available on the company’s website.

In today’s video streaming landscape, agility and cost efficiency are critical for success. As consumer expectations grow for live events, personalized content and immersive ad formats, service providers face increasing pressure to optimize every aspect of their operations.

At the same time, the convergence of traditional broadcast and streaming workflows is reshaping video infrastructure, driving the need for unified, flexible solutions. To remain competitive, service providers must go beyond delivering exceptional streaming experiences; they must also reduce complexity and costs.

Traditional “one-size-fits-all” streaming solutions are no longer sufficient to meet the requirements of service providers. A hybrid streaming model — integrating on-premises infrastructure and the cloud — gives service providers an operational advantage, providing the flexibility and resilience needed to meet current demands while ensuring operations are future-ready.

The Operational Pitfalls of One-Size-Fits-All Streaming

As demand for video streaming intensifies, on-premises infrastructures are struggling to accommodate the scale, agility and personalization required to deliver high-quality viewer experiences. To meet peak traffic for live events, operators often resort to overprovisioning infrastructure. Yet, in some cases, these extra resources fall short. When the infrastructure is under provisioned, video streaming quality can suffer during spikes in viewer demand, especially for major sports events.

While cloud-only approaches offer elasticity and scalability, they can also present challenges. Using the public cloud for all video workflows is cost prohibitive.

The reality is that a cloud- or on-premises-only architecture cannot meet the diverse demands of video streaming. Service providers need hybrid infrastructures that balance cost, performance and flexibility across cloud and on-premises environments. By blending the cloud with on-premises infrastructure, service providers can dynamically shift workloads to meet real-time demands, delivering a wide range of experiences from FAST and pop-up channels to premium live events. Ultimately, hybrid architectures enable service providers to support evolving viewer expectations without sacrificing operational agility or budget.

Harmonic’s VOS^®360 SaaS Solutions: Driving Hybrid Streaming Innovation

Harmonic is at the forefront of hybrid streaming innovation with its VOS360 Media SaaS and VOS Media Software.

A key use case for Harmonic’s hybrid streaming solution is the management of VOD and network PVR storage. Viewers tend to enjoy watching newly released or freshly recorded content, while older assets take up valuable storage space in service providers’ libraries. Harmonic’s hybrid streaming solution addresses this issue by enabling providers to store large-scale archival content economically on public cloud, while keeping high-demand, fresh content on-premises. This approach not only reduces the total cost of ownership but also ensures an optimized viewer experience by enabling instant access to the most relevant content, without sacrificing the accessibility of archival libraries (see Figure 1).

A crucial advantage of the hybrid streaming solution is its centralized management system that reduces the complexity of operating across both on-premises and cloud environments. Operators can manage, monitor and configure the entire workflow from a single user interface. Migrating content from on-premises to the cloud is fully automated, based on rules such as content freshness. It is also transparent to the content management system (CMS), ensuring seamless operations. This significantly reduces complexity, streamlines resource allocation and lowers costs for service providers.

Another unique benefit of the hybrid streaming solution is EyeQ™ content-aware encoding for live and file-based transcoding. This advanced encoding technology significantly reduces bandwidth requirements and minimizes cloud and CDN storage costs. With EyeQ content-aware encoding, service providers can save approximately $1,100 each day, assuming 300,000 viewers are watching video content two hours daily, making it a powerful tool for maintaining high video quality while optimizing resource usage in hybrid streaming environments.

In addition, the hybrid streaming solution enhances VOD asset transcoding, enabling service providers to balance transcoding tasks between on-premises and cloud resources. Service providers can handle routine workloads, such as adding 10 to 20 new movies to a streaming platform on a weekly basis, on-premises. For peak demands like onboarding a full content library from a major partner (e.g., Disney+), service providers can transcode thousands of assets in the cloud to avoid costly overprovisioning. This hybrid strategy ensures high scalability and cost efficiency.

Furthermore, Harmonic’s hybrid streaming solution improves disaster recovery and operational reliability. By leveraging the built-in redundancy, geographic distribution and failover capabilities of the cloud, service providers can protect their on-premises infrastructure and maintain service uptime during unexpected disruptions.

Future-Proof Streaming Starts with a Hybrid Foundation

Hybrid streaming empowers service providers to boost efficiency, reduce costs and scale their video streaming services across cloud and on-premises infrastructure. By partnering with Harmonic, service providers can lead the hybrid streaming transformation with innovative SaaS and software-based solutions that simplify operations via a centralized management system, enhance viewer experiences and deliver the flexibility needed to thrive in an evolving media landscape.

About Harmonic

Harmonic, the worldwide leader in video delivery, enables media companies and service providers to deliver next-generation streaming and broadcast services to consumers globally. Powering millions of simultaneous streams, thousands of live channels, and countless VOD requests, Harmonic's innovative cloud and software-based offerings simplify all stages of media processing and delivery for exceptional-quality video experiences. To ensure the highest service availability, Harmonic’s worldwide DevOps team provides 24/7 monitoring of the cloud platform. Whether powering live sports, ad-supported TV, TV everywhere or cloud broadcast delivery, Harmonic enables operators to meet the demand for scalable video services. More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic says it has added “industry-first innovations” to its comprehensive playout-to-delivery solution, empowering broadcasters and content owners with streamlined media workflows, optimized control and significant cost savings. Harmonic’s playout-to-delivery solution, which combines advanced playout and branding with premium encoding, streaming and broadcast delivery, now features innovative loop record, delay line and enhanced hybrid cloud and on-premises support for more flexible and efficient playout workflows.

Harmonic will demonstrate these new features at the 2025 NAB Show.

“With the introduction of new playout-to-delivery features, we’re giving customers greater control and flexibility over every stage of their media pipeline,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, solutions and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. “Harmonic is the first company to provide a comprehensive solution for managing the entire media workflow in hybrid cloud and on-premises environments, which is a critical advancement as broadcasters and content owners look for operational efficiency and cost control in an increasingly complex video landscape.”

Harmonic’s playout-to-delivery solution is available on the company’s VOS360 Media SaaS for cloud deployments and on VOS Media Software and XOS Advanced Media Processor for on-premises deployments. The same automation, user interface, playlists, assets and advanced graphics are shared across all deployment models — enabling true hybrid playout, Harmonic said.

The playout-to-delivery features can be controlled via API and efficiently managed by third-party automation systems. Whether recording live streams, scheduling branded playout or originating linear channels for streaming and broadcast distribution, Harmonic says it now offers a "unified playout-to-delivery workflow."

At the core of the latest updates to Harmonic’s playout-to-delivery solution are powerful loop record and delay line features. Loop record enables broadcasters and content owners to simultaneously record and replay live streams—a “breakthrough capability” that transforms live streaming and broadcast workflows, according to the company.

Broadcasters and content owners can also edit recorded assets via a built-in clip editor for quick trimming of video content for rapid replay. The addition of delay line features to Harmonic’s playout-to-delivery solution allows playback of streams with an adjustable delay, supporting applications such as time zone shifting.

Harmonic will demonstrate its latest playout-to-delivery advancements at Booth W2821 in the West Hall of the LVCC during the 2025 NAB Show, April 6-9.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic says it has reached a “breakthrough” in video streaming innovation with the launch of new origin capabilities through Harmonic’s VOS family and XOS Advanced Media Processor. The new origin advancements will be showcased in the Harmonic booth at the 2025 NAB Show, April 6-9 in Las Vegas.

Harmonic’s new origin capabilities combine cloud and on-premises storage by leveraging VOS360 Media SaaS and VOS Media Software. This hybrid approach taps into the efficiency and elasticity of the cloud for less frequently accessed content while using on-premises storage for fresh video assets, the company said. Older content, including nPVR assets, is automatically moved to cloud storage.

(Also: Harmonic To Feature Hybrid Cloud, On-Premises Media Solutions At 2025 NAB Show)

The cloud-native solution is easy to configure, as it utilizes the same intuitive UI for all media processing capabilities. Service providers can efficiently scale storage based on demand by utilizing on-premises infrastructure for fixed workloads and leveraging cloud scalability for large asset repositories. This balanced strategy improves flexibility and reduces cloud storage costs.

Harmonic is also introducing live and time-shift origin capabilities within its XOS Advanced Media Processor. By collapsing the origin functionality into the XOS Media Processor, Harmonic enables broadcasters to stream live content directly to CDNs using a single appliance, minimizing operational complexity and reducing hardware costs. The plug-and-play solution is ideal for live and time-shift content, providing users with an easy-to-deploy, cost-effective option.

“We’re redefining what’s possible with a streaming solution that combines everything from playout to compression, origin and delivery,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. “Optimizing origin functionality and associated storage costs is a considerable challenge for service providers and broadcasters. With our latest innovation, we are enabling customers to deploy their streaming services efficiently and profitably — an essential advantage in today’s competitive environment.”

Harmonic will demonstrate its new origin capabilities at the 2025 NAB Show, April 6-9, in booth W2821.

NEW YORK—TAG Video Systems and Harmonic have formed a strategic partnership to highlight the interoperability of TAG's Realtime Media Platform with Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This companies’ collaboration offers broadcasters and content creators real-time visibility and control over their video workflows while unlocking cloud cost savings, they said.

Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS is a comprehensive cloud-native solution that simplifies the creation, management and delivery of high-quality broadcast and streaming channels for linear, live and on-demand content.

By integrating TAG’s Realtime Media Platform, VOS360 Media users gain real-time visualization and deep monitoring across more than 500 parameters ensuring quality of service. The integration enables deep stream analysis from the media essence through template matching and transport, SCTE 35/104 ad insertion verification, advanced multiviewing and precise latency measurement from the VOS360 workflow, they said.

“This partnership provides a complete solution for today’s complex streaming environments,” said Golan Simani, director of cloud and tech operations at TAG. “Integrating our real-time monitoring and multiviewing platform with Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS empowers users with the deep visibility and control needed to provide exceptional quality and maximize revenue.”

At the NAB Show, the companies will demonstrate a complete end-to-end streaming workflow: from live stream ingest through playout, transcoding, packaging, origin and server-side ad insertion to CDN distribution. TAG will monitor and visualize the entire process in real-time, from source to CDN return feed, measuring, analysing and displaying video and latency at each stage.

The demonstration will highlight SCTE-35 marker validation, real-time video visualization and comprehensive latency reporting using TAG’s unified platform. The specific workflow demonstrated will feature SRT cloud uplink and MPEG-DASH/HLS distribution. The cloud-agnostic nature of both TAG and Harmonic’s solutions allows for flexible deployment on any cloud or hybrid infrastructure, the companies said.

“We’re thrilled to partner with TAG to further enhance VOS360 Media SaaS with real-time multiviewer capability,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president of products and Americas sales for video business at Harmonic. “This collaboration gives our customers a powerful toolset for real-time stream analysis, visualization and latency monitoring, enabling them to cost effectively deliver outstanding streaming experiences with confidence.”

See TAG Video Systems in 2025 NAB Show booth W1757 and Harmonic in booth W2821.

More information is available on the TAG Video Systems and Harmonic websites.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that Weigel Broadcasting has deployed Harmonic's VOS Media Software, which offers playout-to-delivery capabilities, including ATSC 1.0 centralcasting, that are producing significant cost savings and greater efficiency for Weigel.

"As we continue to grow the number of stations we own and operate, we wanted a scalable, software-driven approach — not more racks of hardware," said Kyle Walker, vice president of technology at Weigel Broadcasting. "With Harmonic's end-to-end playout-to-delivery solution, we can easily add new stations by scaling compute power rather than piecing together stand-alone appliances. This has streamlined our workflows, increased efficiency and given us the flexibility for expansion without the complexities of a traditional broadcast infrastructure."

Harmonic's VOS Media Software improves cost efficiencies for Weigel with a fully software-based, end-to-end workflow for ingest, centralcasting, advanced playout and branding, encoding, transcoding, statistical multiplexing and distribution, the companies reported.

A built-in user interface enables seamless playlist monitoring and automated channel delivery via the web without requiring a complex automation system. Designed to scale, VOS Media Software empowers Weigel to expand its station lineup at any time, depending on data center capacity. Weigel can also enhance its broadcast channels by leveraging advanced capabilities on VOS Media Software, such as delay-line, PSIP fetch, Nielsen watermarking, Dolby upmix and AI captioning integration, they reported.

"By adopting our cloud-native VOS Media Software, Weigel is at the forefront of innovation as one of the first broadcasters utilizing a next-generation playout-to-delivery solution," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. "With advanced capabilities and support for ATSC, OTT and split signal all on one platform, Weigel is leveraging VOS Media Software to streamline operations and future-proof its video delivery."

Harmonic will demonstrate its innovative cloud solutions at the 2025 NAB Show, April 6-9, in Las Vegas at booth W2821. Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic will highlight its range of hybrid cloud and on-premises solutions as well as AI-powered innovations for broadcasters and service providers with applications in production and playout; broadcast and distribution; live, linear and VOD streaming; and content monetization during the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“In today’s fast-paced, highly competitive video industry, embracing AI and flexible infrastructure solutions is critical for media companies to stay ahead of the curve and secure long-term success,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president of products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. “At the 2025 NAB Show, we’re excited to showcase cutting-edge solutions that support our customers’ unique cloud requirements, unlock new monetization opportunities and transform video streaming experiences while enabling greater efficiency and cost savings.”

Harmonic will show several new advancements that enable broadcasters and service providers to:

• Elevate advertising revenue by leveraging AI to enable Harmonic’s VOS360 Ad SaaS solution to insert SCTE-35 markers automatically in live content, including sports.
• Reduce end-to-end latency via VOS360 Media SaaS enhancements, including JPEG XS support for live ingest and lower encoding latency of UHD and HD content while maintaining pristine video quality.
• Enable efficient video distribution by leveraging XOS advanced media processor features to optimize distribution efficiency for ATSC 1.0., ATSC 3.0 and DTV+ broadcasts.

The company also will highlight hybrid solutions to lower video infrastructure costs. Harmonic will unveil a new cloud-native video streaming solution that combines software running on-premises and on Akamai Cloud to maximize cost savings and flexibility, the company said.

Harmonic has added live and time-shift origin capabilities to the XOS media processor, enabling broadcasters to pull linear channels from any CDN, eliminating the need for a separate origin server, it said.

The company also will spotlight VOS360 Media SaaS support for GPU-based compute nodes in cloud regions, allowing for lower cost live video transcoding, it said.

Harmonic will also highlight several strategic partnerships, including: VOS360 Ad SaaS integration with MediaMelon and FanServ, offering new monetization opportunities; simplified content management with Deltatre; and ViewLift; simplified video deployments with system integrators and managed services providers, including Astound Business Solutions, Irdeto and LTN; and hybrid playout leveraging Harmonic Spectrum X media server and VOS360 Media SaaS with Aveco, Crispin and Florical Systems as well as integration with IMC Technologies for media asset management.

Harmonic senior director of global SaaS solutions Jean Macher and FanDuel Sports Network vice president of engineering Matt Pawluk will present real-world experiences delivering sports streaming services at scale, April 8 at 11:30 a.m., during the Streaming Summit.

See Harmonic at 2025 NAB Show booth W2821.

More information is available on the company’s website.

The demand for live sports streaming is skyrocketing as more high-profile events become available exclusively on streaming platforms. eMarketer predicts that in 2025, approximately 114 million people in the U.S. will watch sports on digital platforms compared with 82 million on pay TV, making the shift toward streaming undeniable.

The surge in live sports streaming viewership creates an urgent need for scalable cloud infrastructure that can handle unpredictable spikes in audience numbers while ensuring outstanding video quality with ultra-low latency and uninterrupted reliability. Several innovations in AI, cloud and server-side ad insertion (SSAI) are shaping the future of live sports streaming.

Overcoming the Biggest Hurdles in Live Sports Streaming
Video service providers face key challenges when streaming live sports events.

To start, scaling live events is no easy task. The biggest challenge comes just minutes before kickoff, when millions of viewers flood the streaming platform simultaneously, placing massive strain on delivery infrastructure. To maintain seamless video delivery, service providers must deploy capacity reservations and intelligent autoscaling mechanisms that dynamically adapt to surging traffic.

Ensuring a resilient streaming architecture is also critical for success. Failure is not an option, especially for premium live events where any cloud region, CDN or source failure must be mitigated instantly to prevent service disruption.

Meanwhile, viewer expectations are evolving — full HD with HDR is now the standard, low latency is nonnegotiable and features like personalized real-time stats, multi-camera angles and gamification are becoming essential for maintaining viewer engagement, particularly among younger audiences.

Furthermore, monetization is key for service providers, but it’s fraught with challenges. Live sports inventory commands the highest ad dollars, but the ad loads for premium sports events are already near saturation. With live sports streaming on the rise, video service providers need ad monetization strategies to stay ahead.

The Evolution of Low-Latency Streaming
Reducing latency remains a top priority for service providers since even a few seconds of delay can disrupt viewer engagement. Viewers expect real-time action when they are watching a game-winning goal, and new applications such as live polls and in-game bets demand ultra-low or no latency.

While low-latency DASH and HLS have yet to see widespread commercial adoption, advancements in DASH-IF, MPEG DASH L3D (Low Latency Low Delay) and QUIC are set to drive the next evolution of ultra-low latency streaming. The key lies in achieving the same total cost of ownership and capabilities — such as SSAI and high-quality video — as standard latency streaming. As the streaming ecosystem evolves to support these emerging standards, low latency will unlock new opportunities for interactivity, engagement and monetization in the live sports environment.

AI’s Role in Enhancing Live Sports Streaming
Improving efficiency is also a key focus for live sports streaming providers. AI innovations are transforming live sports streaming by optimizing workflows and enhancing viewer experiences. For instance, AI-driven encoding algorithms are helping reduce CPU demands while enabling video service providers to deliver high-quality video. By dynamically adjusting frame rates based on content complexity, these intelligent encoding techniques can significantly cut resource consumption, enabling more sustainable and cost-effective video streaming.

AI is also playing a crucial role in automating content processing and personalization. Video service providers are trialing generative AI to automatically generate closed captions, translate commentary into multiple languages and extract key metadata, such as highlights or ad markers, from live streams.

These capabilities streamline the video pipeline and open new opportunities for real-time personalization, allowing viewers to customize their sports streaming experience. As broadcasters and streaming providers test these AI-driven innovations in proof-of-concept trials, widespread adoption is expected in the near future, marking a monumental shift toward optimized live streaming workflows.

Cloud Infrastructure is Essential for Streaming Live Sports at Scale
Another key objective for service providers is delivering live sports streaming at scale, and the cloud is indispensable in achieving this. Utilizing the cloud, service providers can scale live sports events rapidly, handling massive traffic surges without compromising video quality or reliability.

A prime example is when Peacock exclusively streamed an NFL playoff game in January 2024, marking a milestone in streaming history. The game reached tens of millions of viewers, accounting for 30% of all U.S. internet traffic at its peak. This unprecedented demand highlighted the cloud’s ability to scale instantly, absorbing a surge of viewers just before kickoff while maintaining exceptional video quality.

Yet, ensuring a seamless live streaming experience requires more than simply leveraging the cloud — it demands a highly resilient infrastructure. Video service providers must deploy their applications across multiple cloud regions with geo-synchronization, ensuring uninterrupted service even in the event of localized failures. Additionally, a multi-CDN strategy combined with intelligent load balancing is key to distributing traffic efficiently, strengthening reliability and reducing the risk of congestion or downtime.

The cloud is superior to traditional on-premises setups from a cost perspective. Hosting an event like an NFL playoff game on-premises would require massive investments in hardware, infrastructure and ongoing maintenance — resources that might only be fully utilized for a single high-profile event. In contrast, the cloud provides on-demand scalability, allowing service providers to scale up CPU resources during peak moments and scale down immediately afterward, making it a far more cost-effective solution.

In-Stream Ads are Boosting Monetization for Live Streaming
In the live sports streaming market, service providers are constantly seeking new ways to optimize monetization. The cost of acquiring sports streaming rights has escalated significantly in recent years. Rethink Research predicts that sports media rights revenues for the top 16 global leagues will grow to $68.8 billion in 2028.

To recoup the high costs of sports rights, improve viewer engagement and unlock new revenue streams, service providers are embracing new ad formats such as in-stream advertising. In-stream advertising with split-screen formats is a perfect match for sports streaming — it’s less intrusive than full-screen ads, impression based and implemented server-side, making it a win-win for advertisers and publishers. The split-screen ads not only preserve viewer engagement, they also amplify brand awareness and maximize monetization opportunities for service providers.

Conclusion
Streaming high-profile live sports events at scale while delivering an outstanding quality of experience requires a well-designed, resilient cloud-based architecture. There is no doubt that low latency and personalized viewing experiences will become even more important in the coming years.

As the cost of sports rights rises, service providers will continue to embrace new monetization strategies. Innovative ad formats such as in-stream advertising will play a crucial role in enhancing viewer engagement and driving stronger returns on investment.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that its VOS360 Media SaaS and VOS360 Ad SaaS are now qualified on Akamai cloud. The qualification provides Harmonic customers with greater efficiency for the deployment of playout, broadcast and video streaming workflows, Harmonic explained.

In addition, Harmonic announced that VOS360 Media SaaS will power the upcoming Akamai Media Services Live 5, a comprehensive suite of solutions for live event broadcasting and linear streaming. Harmonic is an independent software vendor that is part of the Akamai Qualified Compute Partner Program.

Harmonic will demonstrate its cloud solutions at the 2025 NAB Show, April 6-9, in Las Vegas at booth W2821.

"The collaboration with Harmonic allows us to bring a host of cloud computing, security and content delivery capabilities to media and entertainment companies worldwide," said Dan Lawrence, vice president, cloud computing at Akamai. "Utilizing Harmonic's VOS360 SaaS solutions on Akamai Cloud, media companies are afforded more control over their workflows, will have the ability to streamline viewing experiences, and can unlock new avenues for business growth and reduced operational costs."

Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS is designed to simplify all stages of media processing and delivery for premium video streaming and broadcast services. VOS360 Ad SaaS provides a complete workflow for personalized full-screen and in-stream ad delivery.

The end-to-end SaaS solutions leverage the reliable, secure and massively distributed edge and cloud platform from Akamai to provide an outstanding viewing experience. By powering the upcoming Akamai Media Services Live 5, Harmonic's VOS360 Media will enable a high-quality viewing experience for 24/7 live linear services, reliably and at scale.

"Media companies can now fully benefit from the unparalleled agility, resiliency, security and scalability offered by our award-winning media processing and delivery solutions on leading cloud platforms, including Akamai Cloud," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. "This collaboration is yet another example of Harmonic's powerful partnerships that are empowering media companies to accelerate service deployment on major cloud platforms and open doors to revenue-generating use cases as they execute their unique cloud strategies."

Further information is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

In the last few years, video streaming has evolved from viewers watching the latest sitcoms and movies in HD to premium live events streaming across a wide range of devices, creating a critical demand for scalable cloud infrastructure. While early streaming was limited by bandwidth and server constraints, today’s audiences expect high-quality, uninterrupted content on-demand, regardless of their location or device.

The Benefits of Cloud-Native Infrastructure and SaaS
The cloud is proving to be essential for content owners to scale their offerings rapidly and efficiently, ensuring they meet rising consumer expectations and handle traffic spikes without compromising quality. A clear example of this was the NFL playoff game streamed by Peacock earlier this year, which demonstrated the cloud’s capabilities to handle an unprecedented demand. With exclusive streaming rights, the event reached tens of millions of viewers and consumed 30% of the U.S. internet bandwidth—a first in streaming history. This event underscored cloud infrastructure’s ability to scale swiftly, absorbing massive peaks in demand just before the game started, while maintaining impressive video quality throughout.

However, meeting today’s video streaming demands requires more than just a generic cloud deployment. Service providers need a highly resilient architecture to ensure uninterrupted service, as there’s no room for failure during such high-profile events. Building a super-resilient cloud-based setup involves deploying applications across multiple cloud regions with geo-synchronization to prevent disruptions in case of regional outages. A multi-CDN approach, paired with a smart load balancer, distributes traffic effectively across networks, enhancing reliability. Additionally, extensive testing and preparation are crucial to predict and provision resources, such as CPU capacity, based on anticipated viewer numbers. By rigorously testing for the highest possible audience, streaming providers can be confident in their ability to deliver seamless experiences during even the largest live events.

Meeting today’s streaming demands also requires flexibility and cost efficiency. The cost effectiveness of cloud infrastructure is unmatched compared with traditional on-premises systems. Hosting a major event, such as an NFL playoff game, on-premises would require a substantial, expensive investment in hardware, installation, wiring, power and maintenance, all for an event that lasts just a few hours. This setup would need to be sized for peak demand, which might only occur once a year, making it financially impractical. In contrast, the cloud allows streaming providers to access significant CPU resources as needed, scaling up for a few hours to handle the peak demand and then scaling down after the event, making it a far more cost-efficient solution.

SaaS takes this a step further by providing an end-to-end managed service, which is especially beneficial for live sports streaming. With a SaaS solution, video service providers have an entire DevOps team at their fingertips, extending support beyond just the technical setup. This includes hands-on engagement before, during and after the event. Before the event, the DevOps team works closely with service providers to ensure all venue signals are functioning properly. During the event, the team actively monitors the cloud platform’s performance, making real-time adjustments as needed. Finally, after the event, they provide a summary and collaborate with the service provider to identify areas for improvement in preparation for future events. This level of proactive, comprehensive support ensures the highest quality of service, helping providers meet the high expectations of live sports audiences while optimizing operational efficiency.

Cloud Solutions are Driving Streaming Innovation
A significant benefit of leveraging the cloud for video streaming is its ability to fuel innovation. Cloud solutions are driving rapid innovation in the streaming industry by drastically reducing the time to market for new services, keeping platforms competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. Unlike traditional on-premises deployments—which require lengthy processes like system design, procurement, installation and testing, often taking months—cloud-based solutions allow streaming services to go live in a matter of days or weeks. With a SaaS solution, there’s no need to over-engineer for peak demand; the architecture scales automatically, and providers only pay for what they use. This flexibility enables streaming providers to launch offerings quickly, focus on marketing to accelerate adoption and gauge success rapidly. If a service needs improvement, new features can be introduced or refined instantly.

Moreover, SaaS solutions free service providers from the complexities of platform maintenance, allowing them to focus entirely on defining and marketing the service. As soon as a new feature or capability is developed, it’s delivered directly to subscribers. This fast feedback loop, enabled by cloud and SaaS, fosters a continuous cycle of innovation, as new ideas can be quickly tested, refined and implemented. In this way, cloud solutions are a powerful enabler for streaming platforms to remain agile, responsive to viewer demands and competitive in a crowded, fast-paced market.

Why Partnerships Between Technology and Cloud Providers are Crucial
Partnerships between major cloud providers and technology providers are essential for fostering innovation and enabling low-latency streaming. Collaboration allows R&D teams to stay informed about the best practices recommended by each cloud provider. This includes optimal ways to use cloud nodes, storage solutions and inter- or intraregion connectivity, all of which are crucial for delivering low-latency streaming services.

In addition, partnerships with cloud providers open doors to advanced AI services that can be integrated into video workflows, driving efficiency and enhancing viewer experience. For instance, AI-driven tools hosted on cloud platforms can automatically generate closed captions, translate voices into multiple languages, or extract valuable metadata like highlights or ad markers from live content. This automation streamlines the video pipeline, while AI-based personalization options—such as customizing data or content presented to viewers—boost fan engagement.

Conclusion
To meet the expectations of today’s viewers, content providers are leveraging cloud infrastructure, which allows for rapid scaling to handle millions of simultaneous streams. This scalability is crucial, especially during peak times like major sporting events, where server demands can skyrocket. Cloud platforms provide the flexibility to automatically adjust resources up or down based on real-time demand, ensuring seamless delivery and outstanding quality while optimizing costs.

Calls for Harmonic to seek a possible buyer mounted as Ancora Holdings Group and Romanesque Capital Management urged the pay TV technology provider to maximize shareholder value by looking into a potential sale.

In a presentation released Monday (Nov. 18), Ancora claimed Harmonic stock trades at a depressed multiple. The company’s stock closed Nov. 18 at $11.95 per share, but Ancora could achieve $22 per share “by meeting its [the company’s] 2026 targets and capitalizing on valuation opportunities.” Ancora said it identified “issues with management’s investor communications, rather than fear of actual execution” as the reason for the low share price.

Ancora, which owned 2.3% of the company’s stock as of September, recommended a “strategic review aimed at a value-maximizing sale.” Ciena, which supplies networking equipment, software and services, could be a possible suitor given it “has material strategic motivations” that “would be growth-, margin- and multiple-accretive.” Harmonic chairman Patrick Gallagher sits on the boards of both companies, the presentation noted.

Harmonic’s performance has trailed the Nasdaq telecommunications benchmark index by 41%. A disconnect exists between the company’s strong fundamentals and share price, Ancora said. “The business has performed, innovation and product development have continued, spending on networks and upgrades have accelerated … but the stock has not followed,” the presentation said.

At the heart of the volatility in the price of Harmonic stock is “management’s miscommunications to investors,” the presentation said, citing an “unprompted” management statement during a quarterly earnings call presented “with little context” that the company’s 2025 revenue outlook was weaker than previously indicated.

Romanesque Capital, another Harmonic stakeholder, supported the call for a review aimed at a possible sale.

“We have long held high conviction in Harmonic’s market-leading products, valuable partnerships and disruptive innovation, having been invested since 2016,” the company said in a statement. “Despite these tailwinds, the company has been unable to realize value in its stock price.

“This is why we were extremely encouraged to review Ancora Holdings’ presentation outlining its analysis of the value opportunity at Harmonic and are in full support of the investor’s recommendations,” the statement continued. “As a long-term shareholder, we have frequently shared similar concerns with leadership regarding the disconnect between the company’s stock price and its impressive fundamentals. It’s been our view that Harmonic should be part of a larger organization where synergies could be realized. We sincerely hope management and the board of directors begin to listen to shareholder feedback and initiate a review aimed at a value-maximizing sale.”

Last November, Harmonic said it was considering selling its video business and has received interest from several potential buyers. In Q3, the company’s video division posted quarterly revenue of $51.4 million, a 20% decline, on total quarterly revenue of $127.7 million.

“Together with financial and legal advisers, we're assessing a range of alternatives for the video business with a clear goal of optimizing long-term value,” then-CEO Patrick Harshman said at the time.

The company’s broadband business also declined in the quarter, down 17.5% on revenues of $75.8 million.

Harmonic entered the video business in 2012 with the purchase of storage and transcoding supplier Omneon.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Globo, the largest media conglomerate in Brazil, says it is using Harmonic's cloud-native VOS Media Software to launch linear playout channels faster, increase its workflow efficiencies and reduce expenses.

"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."

Missed any of our recent product news? Here is TV Tech's weekly wrap-up of new products, services and deployments we published in our newsletter between August 12 to August 16. The stories are listed from the newest on Friday August 16, day by day back to our stories from Monday August 12.

Prime Focus Technologies to Debut CLEAR AI Agents at IBC 2024

The CLEAR AI Agents are designed to assist & co-work with professionals to execute specific tasks across content management, post-production, and marketing.

Leader and Phabrix to Show T&M Solutions at IBC 2024

They will be showcasing test and measurement solutions for the complete manufacturing & broadcast production chain.

RTL Deutschland Expands FAST Channel Offering

The new FAST channels are powered by Harmonic; netorium integrated the news FAST channels into RTL’s operations.

MRMC To Unveil Studiobot LT, Cinebot At IBC 2024

Studiobot LT is well-suited for box cameras with a studio lens and supports a wide envelope of motion.

Florida Panthers Launch New DTC Streaming Service

For the new season, every locally-produced game will stream live on new apps and air on broadcast over-the-air.

Cineverse Partners with Wurl on FAST Channels

The agreement will bring new channels to viewers, while also enhancing Cineverse’s monetization and discovery capabilities.

EvertzAV Brings Cutting-Edge AVoIP Solutions to IBC 2024

These IP routable products and solutions deliver high quality and high reliability to AV professionals working across numerous disciplines.

Marshall Brings Auto Tracking To IBC 2024 with New CV612 PTZ Camera

The system automatically tracks, follows and frames presenters using AI facial learning for accurate and smooth self-adjusting maneuvers.

ESPN Inks Deal with Genius Sports to Expand Data Capabilities for Basketball Coverage

The deal will expand ESPN's data-driven storytelling in its coverage of NCAA basketball, NBA and WNBA.

Harmonic Launches New SaaS Version of Its Distribution Management System

Running on the public cloud, Harmonic's DMS X SaaS brings playout control capabilities to its XOS advanced media processor.

Horizon Media Taps Comscore as Preferred Contextual Intelligence Provider

Clients of the largest U.S. media agency will be able to use Proximic by Comscore's AI-powered contextual technology.

ATSC To Exhibit 3.0 Developments At Brazil’s SET Expo 2024

ATSC will exhibit at the SET Expo 2024 at the Distrito Anhembi Convention Center in San Paulo, Brazil, Aug. 19-22, on the heels of the SBTVD Forum recommending adoption of the ATSC 3.0 physical layer to the Brazilian government for its TV 3.0 next-generation terrestrial broadcast standard.

Veritone Makes AI M&E Solutions Available in AWS Marketplace

Among the AI software in the marketplace are Veritone Digital Media Hub, Discovery and Attribute.

CommScope Announces First Major Sale of Newly Acquired Casa vCCAP Solution

vCCAP will be used to support significant distributed access architecture deployment in Hungary.

BNS Partners with NPAW to Enhance Video Analytics Reporting in North America

The partnership will help NPAW expand its footprint in North America.

Elation Delivers Dynamic PULSE For First-Ever Live Broadcast from Sphere

Lighting designer Tom Kenny debuted PULSE PANEL FX for the NHL Draft in Las Vegas.

Signiant to Highlight Latest Innovations, Partnership at IBC 2024

Among the partnerships is the company’s new collaboration with TMT Insights.

DVEO to Introduce Brutus Cloud Video Distribution Platform at IBC 2024

Brutus Cloud provides high-performance, flexible transcoding and streaming for IPTV, OTT and FAST TV.

Globo Shows Off TV 2.5 Enhancements on Hisense TVs During Paris Olympics

The broadcaster demoed Advanced HDR by Technicolor and Fraunhofer’s MPEG-H Audio.

Historic Billy Joel Concert Captured On ARRI Cameras For Multi-Cam Production

To capture Billy Joel’s 100th consecutive performance of his residency at Madison Square Garden, show producers turned to ARRI’s ALEXA 35 and Mini LF cameras.

SAN JOSE, Calif. and COLOGNE, Germany—German broadcaster RTL Deutschland has added eight new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels to its video streaming service RTL+. 

The new FAST channels are powered by Harmonic's VOS®360 Media SaaS, which simplifies all stages of media processing, including advanced playout, powerful graphics insertion, premium OTT encoding and distribution.

Integrating additional FAST channels into RTL Deutschland's existing ecosystem was successfully handled by netorium, an application integrator from Wiesbaden. 

Andre Prahl, chief distribution officer at RTL Deutschland, explained that "what particularly impressed us was the ability to easily launch eight channels. We had no high investment costs, as we operate the channels entirely on a software as a service model. This allows us to adapt the offering very flexibly to viewer preferences."

RTL Deutschland uses the new channels as themed offerings for some of its most successful content formats, enabling the broadcaster to effectively target specific customer groups.

"For video streaming services to thrive, they must be precisely targeted to relevant viewers," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. "With our VOS360 Media SaaS, RTL Deutschland can rapidly create and deliver FAST channels to retain existing customers and attract new ones."

Running on the public cloud, Harmonic's end-to-end video platform provides agility, resiliency, security and scalability. Leveraging the VOS360 Media platform, RTL can easily create and deploy additional FAST channels at scale. The VOS360 Media platform is based on a flexible business model that allows RTL Deutschland to only pay for what they use, the company said. 

Harmonic will showcase the latest innovations in video streaming and broadcast delivery at IBC2024, Sept. 13-16 in Amsterdam. To schedule a meeting with Harmonic at stand 1.B20, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/ibc/. 

Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com. Additional information about netorium is available at www.netorium.de. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced DMS X, a new SaaS-based version of its Distribution Management System for the company's industry-leading XOS advanced media processor. 

Running on the public cloud, DMS X improves the way broadcasters and content providers can manage and securely distribute video content over satellite, managed IP and open internet delivery networks. With DMS X, content providers have the flexibility to remotely manage advanced playout workflows; download clips, graphics and playlists; monitor edge devices and distribute high-quality video content to affiliates via internet, satellite and hybrid primary distribution.

"The broadcast industry's shift to IP-based video delivery mechanisms underscores the importance of having a flexible, scalable management solution for primary distribution," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business, at Harmonic. "With over a decade of experience leading innovation in primary distribution solutions, we're excited to bring those capabilities into the SaaS environment. The latest evolution of our Distribution Management System for XOS supports all primary distribution workflows, offering a smooth migration path from satellite to IP and hybrid deployment options. Featuring industry-first control over playout workflows, the DMS X SaaS addresses content providers' evolving primary distribution requirements."

Using DMS X, content providers can control 10,000-plus XOS media processors from a centralized user interface. The DMS X SaaS is based on a flexible business model that allows content providers to only pay for what they use, while ensuring the system is always up to date and globally accessible. With 24/7 monitoring by a dedicated DevOps team, the system guarantees high reliability, Harmonic said. 

Harmonic reported that the DMS X SaaS offers several groundbreaking features, such as centralized playout management for ad insertion and program localization, HTML graphic insertion, edge playout management, the ability to schedule blackout events with unparalleled scalability, remote device and service configuration and monitoring. The DMS X SaaS provides all of these capabilities for any network and any content format up to 4K HDR.

Harmonic will showcase the latest innovations for primary distribution at IBC2024, Sept. 13-16 in Amsterdam. To schedule a meeting with Harmonic at stand 1.B20, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/ibc. Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com. 

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Harmonic has announced that Vivo Worldwide Productions is using Harmonic's comprehensive playout and distribution solutions at Caliente TV, a new sports TV channel in Mexico. 

In the deployment, Harmonic’s VOS360 Media SaaS and ProView IRD and stream processor are being used to simplify all stages of media processing, playout and distribution to affiliates and partners.

"Caliente tasked us with rapidly launching its new linear channel, which ignited our search for a flexible video platform," said Juan Carlos Velazquez, director of Vivo Worldwide Productions. "Harmonic's team of experts exceeded our expectations, enabling us to deploy Caliente TV within two weeks. The Harmonic solution streamlines the full playout to distribution workflow, empowering Caliente TV to focus on reinventing sports coverage. Adopting Harmonic's SaaS solution gives us the flexibility to easily add extra channels and more cutting-edge graphics in the future."

The comprehensive offering from Harmonic provides Caliente TV with a powerful solution for its video workflows, the companies said. 

The cloud-based VOS360 platform unifies the entire media processing chain for Caliente TV, including playout, advanced graphics, transcoding and SRT distribution to leading Mexican pay-TV operators. The VOS360 Media SaaS is based on a flexible business model that allows Caliente TV to only pay for what they use. Harmonic's ProView IRD and stream processor supports the reception of broadcast-quality video over the internet, simplifying implementation.

"Vivo Worldwide Productions is a powerhouse for producing live sports content in Mexico, and we're thrilled to have them as a customer," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and America sales, video business at Harmonic. "As one of the only technology providers that offers a complete solution for media processing, playout and distribution, Harmonic is enabling Caliente TV to deliver top-notch live sports viewing experiences with unparalleled agility, resiliency, video quality, security and scalability. Using our award-winning VOS360 Media SaaS and ProView 8100 IRD, Caliente TV can bring exceptional video quality and advanced graphics to its new sports TV channel."

Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com. 

For many years, consumers avoided watching advertisements by paying for ad-free subscription-video-on-demand services. However, this trend has shifted. Research from the Video Advertising Bureau reveals that 66% of Americans that are between the ages of 18 to 34 now prefer streaming video content with commercials over ad-free subscriptions. The primary reasons cited are the cost benefits and the perceived value exchange.

Targeted advertising is reshaping the video streaming industry, enhancing viewer engagement and increasing revenue for video service providers. Advancements in video streaming platforms, server-side ad insertion (SSAI) and server-guided ad insertion (SGAI) technology, and data analysis are driving this shift, enabling the integration of ad content tailored to individual viewer interests.

The Shift to Personalized Ad Campaigns
The free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) and advertising video on demand (AVOD) markets are growing rapidly, with global FAST revenues expected to reach $18 billion by 2028. There are a few key reasons for the transformation to video streaming services with personalized advertising.

Viewer demands are evolving. According to Adweek, 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions, and 76% get frustrated when this doesn’t happen. Customizing ads to match user interests enhances the overall experience, making ads feel more engaging and less obtrusive.

For streaming service providers, incorporating targeted ads can significantly boost revenue. Ad-supported tiers have been shown to capture higher ARPU than subscription-based models. In today’s ultra-competitive video streaming landscape, any opportunity for service providers to differentiate their offering and boost revenue is a significant advantage. This additional income can be used to invest in better content, thus increasing demand and driving up CPMs, further improving the monetization and quality of service.

Furthermore, improvements in server-side ad insertion and data analysis have made it easier to seamlessly integrate relevant ads into streaming content without disrupting the viewing experience. A common challenge with FAST and AVOD services is that each platform individually collects data, consolidates it and then shares it with ad tech platforms on a daily basis.

This data is uploaded into data lakes and analyzed to generate actionable insights through an omnichannel approach. The resulting insights can then be used to optimize the user experience and journey. This might involve updating campaign-related metrics such as pacing, frequency caps or spacing rules. In some cases, additional programmatic purchases are needed to acquire more inventory on adjacent platforms.

In the era where instant satisfaction and fan engagement are the expected norm, the need for actionable data in near real time is crucial. By deploying a combination of technologies for streaming, such as SSAI and more traditional approaches based on SCTE, data can be provided in a matter of seconds.

Universal Approaches to Targeted Advertising
SSAI technology seamlessly incorporates personalized ads into live stream content, stitching ads directly into the stream. By utilizing user data such as preferences, demographics, and behavior, relevant ads can be inserted in real time – enhancing viewer satisfaction, reducing ad fatigue, and increasing ad effectiveness and revenue for service providers.

SGAI is an ad insertion method that uses predefined markers called resolution points, such as HLS interstitials and DASH media presentation insertion events, in primary content such as video streams. These markers serve as placeholders for seamless ad insertion. With this approach, the content provider’s service oversees ad insertion, ensuring ads are delivered consistently and reliably across different devices and platforms.

When a viewer starts playback, the streaming manifest includes info about the resolution points. The video player requests additional content from the provider as needed, allowing for dynamic, personalized ad insertion without interruptions. SGAI balances personalized ad experiences with efficient resource usage, centralizing ad control to enhance performance, reduce latency, and support content caching. While SGAI is a more advanced and scalable solution for delivering personalized ads, there are drawbacks with this approach, namely that it requires more complex client player features, processing and development. This makes the roll out of SGAI difficult with legacy players, as many client players have insufficient processing to support SGAI.

Frequency capping is an ad management strategy that prevents viewers from being overwhelmed by repetitive ads. By customizing ad exposure based on user interactions, service providers can maintain a balanced and enjoyable viewing experience. This technique prevents ad oversaturation, keeps viewers engaged, and fosters a positive perception of personalized ads, ultimately leading to higher ad retention rates.

Advertising storytelling uses asset rotation rules and enhances the effectiveness of targeted ads by presenting them in a specific sequence. The goal is to create a cohesive narrative or message about a brand or product, resulting in a memorable and personalized ad experience. This approach improves viewer recall and strengthens connections with the advertised products or services.

The Next Frontier: In-Stream Advertising
Given the popularity of AVOD and FAST services, there is a pressing demand for innovative monetization approaches. A new targeted ad technique called in-stream advertising is revolutionizing video streaming monetization, especially for live use cases. In-stream advertising with new split-screen ad formats creates a new premium inventory during live programming events, enabling advertisers to reach viewers without disrupting the viewing experience and brands, agencies and publishers to achieve better monetization.

With in-stream advertising, service providers can leverage SSAI to offer new addressable ad formats such as double-box and dynamic L-bars. These split-screen ads can be strategically placed at high- and low-action moments of live events, either through manual operation or by automated triggering from external data feeds. Dynamically integrating split-screen inventory within live programming not only amplifies brand awareness but also maximizes monetization opportunities for live events, including sports.

The introduction of fresh ad formats and in-content advertising are driving a rise in CPMs of around 25% for some format inventory types.

Conclusion
To stay competitive in the rapidly growing video streaming market, targeted advertising is more crucial than ever. Video service providers need technology providers to support more than just SSAI and less intrusive ad formats with in-stream advertising to maximize their revenues.

With a SaaS solution for targeted advertising, video service providers can achieve unparalleled scalability, take advantage of real-time data processing and leverage advanced machine learning to tailor advertising messages with unprecedented precision.

The landscape of live sports streaming has undergone a radical change, with a clear pivot toward event-centric consumption. Streaming technology enabled this shift, catering to the immediacy and exclusivity that live sports demand. Unlike the linear model of 24/7 channels, 2023 witnessed a surge in live events, where channels popped up for the duration of the event, be it a few hours or whole day. 

Record-breaking streaming numbers, such as the 59 million concurrent streams during the Cricket World Cup final in India and the 16.3 million concurrent devices connecting to Peacock during an exclusive January 2023 NFL game, underscored a seismic transition from traditional broadcast to live event streaming. In 2024 there will be no slow-down with highly anticipated, major global sports events scheduled in the calendar, all of which will be watched by millions of viewers worldwide.

Moreover, sports organizations and leagues have increasingly sought to establish their own direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels. This trend, while not new in 2023, became a generic requirement, especially for niche sports unable to sell media rights in foreign markets. Streaming emerged as the logical solution to illuminate these “dark markets,” enabling leagues to expand their global footprint at negligible costs compared with traditional broadcast infrastructure.

This transformation has not only redefined the scale of viewership but also the strategic approach to delivering these experiences. Enter Software as a Service (SaaS), the game-changer in live sports streaming. 

This article will delve into the compelling reasons why SaaS has become the preferred strategy for delivering seamless and captivating live sports content to fans globally. It explores the challenges in live sports streaming, emphasizing the critical aspects of scaling, availability, video quality, piracy, and latency. Strategic advantages of SaaS, including cost efficiency, scalability, low maintenance, and global reach, will also be explored.

Challenges in Live Sports Streaming
Despite the growth of live sports streaming, it still faces significant challenges. A primary issue involves scaling infrastructure to meet the massive demand for high-profile events. The NFL game mentioned previously consumed about 30% of the U.S. internet bandwidth, illustrating the sheer scale of viewership and the technical prowess required to support it. 

Streaming platforms must be capable of handling tens of millions of concurrent streams without degradation in service quality. This necessitates a robust, scalable infrastructure that can dynamically adjust to varying loads, often requiring the integration of multiple content delivery networks (CDNs) to distribute the traffic load effectively.

Availability and resilience are also critical. Any downtime or glitch can lead to viewer dissatisfaction and potential revenue loss. The architecture must be designed for high availability, employing redundancy and seamless failover mechanisms to ensure continuous service even in the face of hardware or cloud region failure, network issues, or unexpected spikes in demand. 

Likewise, sports fans expect high-definition, low-latency video streams that can match or exceed traditional broadcast quality. Achieving this level of quality in a streaming environment requires advanced encoding and compression technologies, efficient bandwidth management, and a deep understanding of network conditions. In scenarios where the same event is broadcast and streamed simultaneously, minimizing latency becomes even more crucial to avoid discrepancies in viewer experience. 

Even a few seconds' delay can spoil the immediacy of the experience. Streaming services must invest in state-of-the-art video processing solutions and continuously optimize their delivery networks to ensure that online viewers can engage with live events in real time, regardless of the viewer's device or connection speed, with the capability for social interaction and engagement around the content.

Finally, piracy remains a pervasive challenge, with unauthorized redistribution of content undermining revenue streams and devaluing media rights. Streaming services must implement comprehensive security measures, including encryption, digital rights management (DRM), and watermarking, to protect their content. Moreover, real-time piracy detection and response mechanisms are essential to quickly identify and shut down pirate streams, safeguarding both intellectual property and revenue.

SaaS: The Strategic Advantage
SaaS solutions offer a plethora of strategic advantages for live sports streaming. The cost-per-usage model aligns perfectly with the event-based nature of sports, ensuring that costs are incurred only during the events. This eliminates the need for a continuous investment in infrastructure, reducing both CapEx and operational costs.

The cloud-based nature of SaaS ensures ease of scaling and maintenance. SaaS providers can manage the infrastructure, allowing sports organizations to focus on content delivery and enhancing user engagement. The flexibility of SaaS facilitates rapid scaling to meet the demands of millions of viewers, a feat not easily achievable with traditional setups. 

Moreover, SaaS solutions are inherently designed to integrate seamlessly with CDNs, overcoming geographical barriers and enabling global reach. This ease of distribution is crucial for tapping into new markets and catering to a worldwide audience.

SaaS also plays a pivotal role in advertising and monetization strategies. The ability to scale ad insertion solutions in tandem with video delivery is crucial when millions of viewers transition to ad breaks simultaneously. Cloud-based SaaS solutions are adept at handling such loads, ensuring a smooth and profitable advertising experience.

Security is bolstered through advanced SaaS solutions that offer watermarking and real-time piracy detection. The ability to shut down pirate streams swiftly is becoming increasingly important, with leagues like the major European football leagues mandating watermarking solutions for rights buyers. SaaS providers are at the forefront of these anti-piracy efforts, offering innovative solutions that protect content and revenue.

Conclusion: SaaS Is the Champion of Live Sports Streaming
The case for SaaS in live sports streaming is compelling. The strategic advantages it offers — from cost efficiency and scalability to quality assurance and security — position SaaS as the champion in the arena of live sports streaming.

For sports organizations aiming to deliver outstanding experiences to fans worldwide, SaaS is not just a viable option; it's the go-to strategy. As the industry continues to break viewership records and push technological boundaries, SaaS stands ready to support and propel the next wave of live sports streaming innovations.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has appointed Nimrod Ben-Natan, currently Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harmonic's Broadband business to succeed Patrick Harshman, who will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 11, 2024. It also announced that it has suspended the sale of its Video division, because “current market conditions do not support its value creation objectives.”

Ben-Natan joined Harmonic in 1996 as a software engineer to design and develop its first-generation video transmission platform. He has led Harmonic's Broadband business as Senior Vice President and General Manager since 2012. 

Ben-Natan has been instrumental in pioneering the development and widespread deployment of the Company's Emmy award-winning cOS virtualized broadband technology.

"On behalf of the entire Board, I'd like to thank Patrick for his leadership and service to Harmonic, guiding the Company through multiple strategic transformations over the years. It has been a real pleasure to work with him all these years and we wish him success, good health and happiness in the next chapter of his life. We are pleased that his expertise will be available to support Nimrod and the Board in this transition," said Patrick Gallagher, Chair of the Harmonic Board of Directors.

Gallagher continued, "As part of a thoughtful succession planning process, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of both internal and external candidates with the support of a leading search firm. Nimrod was the standout – his leadership has been pivotal in the rapid growth of the Company's groundbreaking and market-leading virtualized broadband access solutions. He is admired and respected by our employees and customers, and the Board is confident that his strategic vision, experience and business acumen will drive Harmonic's future success."

"Leading Harmonic has been the privilege of a lifetime and I am proud of what we have accomplished," said Harshman. "Together, we strategically re-positioned the Company as a worldwide leader in next-generation broadband solutions and video streaming and delivery solutions, successfully expanding our customer base, international presence and product portfolio. Nimrod is ideally suited to lead Harmonic and our talented global team into its next chapter of innovation and growth."

"I am energized and excited to step into the CEO position," added Nimrod Ben-Natan. "I look forward to collaborating with the Board and our Harmonic team to build on the strong foundation we have established as we continue to revolutionize broadband networks and cloud streaming."

As previously announced in October 2023, Harmonic's Board of Directors initiated a formal strategic review process to consider selling its video division but said that after reviewing a range of alternatives, the Board determined that the current market would not support a sale that represented the true value of the division. Harmonic said its “go-forward strategy” for its Video business will be “centered on driving profitable growth by focusing on scalable market opportunities, streamlining operations and optimizing its cost structure.” 

Harmonic says it expects Q1 2024 revenue to be in the range of $121 million to $123 million, down from $167 million in Q4 2023 and $157.6 million in Q1 2023. Revenue will come in at $78.5 million to $79.5 million for the Broadband segment and $42.5 million to $43.5 million for the Video segment, the company said.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that it will be showing improvements to its cloud and software-based appliance solutions at the 2024 NAB Show that are designed to improve video streaming and broadcast delivery. 

During the show the company will showcase AI-powered innovations for a variety of applications, including live sports streaming, targeted advertising, production and playout, and broadcast distribution, reaffirming its global leadership in video processing and delivery.

"Harmonic has always pushed the boundaries of innovation in video streaming and broadcast," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, video products and solutions at Harmonic. "At the NAB Show, we're excited to showcase solutions that enable service providers and broadcasters to unlock new levels of monetization while vastly improving broadcast and streaming experiences for subscribers."

During the show, Harmonic will demonstrate how its VOS360 portfolio, XOS media processor and Spectrum™ X media server. These solutions are designed to help video service providers and broadcasters:

• Boost monetization: Harmonic's VOS360 Ad SaaS introduces new capabilities, including support for innovative in-stream addressable ad formats. This creates new advertising opportunities with higher CPM and enables personalized ads tailored to individual viewers, facilitating server-side ad insertion at scale, dynamic in-scene advertising and shoppable ads.
• Enhance and secure live sports streaming: Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS guarantees unparalleled scalability, reliability and low latency for live sports streaming. With exceptional video quality and best-in-class watermarking protection, broadcasters can deliver immersive experiences to sports fans worldwide.
• Expand production and playout: Spectrum X media server, XOS media processor and VOS360 Media SaaS offer groundbreaking enhancements for playout-to-delivery workflows. Innovations include support for studio, news and sport highlights production workflows; powerful HTML5 graphics; channel distribution to affiliates or direct-to-consumer; and personalized linear channel origination with an AI-based automatic scheduling and recommendations engine.
• Advance broadcast distribution: Harmonic's AI-based PURE compression engine now supports Versatile Video Coding (VVC), offering up to 40% bandwidth savings compared to HEVC. Additionally, XOS media processor can seamlessly deliver both ISDB-Tb and TV3.0 signals from a single chassis, optimizing broadcast distribution efficiency. Harmonic will also unveil the latest innovations related to ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 at the NAB Show.

 During the show, Harmonic will also be showing on a number of collaborations designed to advance video streaming and broadcast technologies. These include:  

• AI collaborations: Teaming up with ContentWise, Camb.ai, Leankr and Kebula, Harmonic is driving innovation in automated channel scheduling, translation, ad break insertion and clip extraction. In collaboration with Southworks, Harmonic is also proud to showcase enhanced monetization capabilities and increased fan engagement through personalized live sports streaming, using Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.
• Monetization partnerships: Harmonic is maximizing monetization opportunities for broadcasters and service providers through the VOS360 Ad SaaS open ecosystem. Demonstration highlights include the addition of dynamic virtual product placement solution from RYFF, analytics and Google Ad Manager's monetization integration with Bitmovin via the Programmatic Access Library (PAL) SDK as well as support for leading media players.
• Production and playout collaborations:  Harmonic will demonstrate Aveco, Florical and Crispin automation for its Spectrum X media server and VOS360 Media SaaS. Additionally, integration with Vizrt's Viz Flowics cloud- native HTML5-based graphics platform and ContentWise for automatically creating VOD to live channel schedules will be showcased.

To schedule a meeting with Harmonic at booth W2831, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/nab-2024/. 

Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

The media industry is constantly evolving. In 2024 we’ll see continued migration to the cloud and budgets shifting away from traditional TV toward video streaming, especially for live sports. As video service providers look to deliver outstanding streaming experiences, it will be critical to choose solutions that ensure unmatched scalability and reliability.

Monetization will remain a key aspect in 2024, driving the accelerated adoption of targeted advertising in streaming services. The delivery of personalized ads at the individual viewer level addresses the dual challenges of enhancing viewer engagement and bolstering video streaming service revenues.

Beyond targeted advertising, the emergence of FAST channels presents a lucrative opportunity for monetization. FAST channels with heightened personalization will achieve the highest revenues. Video service providers will explore virtual product placement and large-scale server-side ad insertion for low-latency live sports streaming to meet the demand.

Simplifying video streaming processes while enriching the user experience remains a pivotal focus for service providers, with AI at the forefront of innovation. AI's role encompasses streamlining content creation, improving automated channel scheduling, optimizing content preparation, and expediting sports highlights creation. These trends underscore an industry-wide commitment to efficiency, personalization, and continuous innovation in the world of video streaming.

Harmonic, a major supplier of tech to the pay-TV business announced this week that it is considering selling off its video business. 

"Due to changes in the marketplace and our customer strategies, synergies between our broadband and video businesses are now less compelling," Harmonic CEO Patrick Harshman said in the company’s Q3 earnings call.

Harmonic entered the video business with the acquisition of Omneon, a provider of storage and transcoding technology in 2010. “Media companies are being driven by ever-increasing demand for video content coupled with consumers’ desire to consume video anytime and anywhere,” Harshman said at the time.

What seemed like a smart strategic move at the time has given way to the fact that cord cutting has forced cable companies to increasingly turn away from marketing themselves as video companies and more like data/broadband companies, with fewer and fewer subscribers opting for vMVPDs and/or streaming services instead. Providers to the industry, including Harmonic, have in recent years focused on the cable industry’s move towards next-generation virtualized DOCSIS 4.0 networks.

Harmonic is taking a formal review of its video business and has received several interested buyers. “Together with financial and legal advisors, we're assessing a range of alternatives for the video business with a clear goal of optimizing long-term value," he said. 

Sales lagged for the company’s third quarter with Harmonic logging revenue of $127.7 million. The video division accounts for 40% of Harmonic’s business and its latest quarterly revenues of $51.4 million represent a nearly 20% decline, according to the company, which reported one bright spot: its cloud-based SaaS solutions represented by its VOS platform increased 42% to $12.5 million.

Its broadband business declined 17.5% in Q3 with revenues of $75.8 million, which Harshman attributed to several factors. 

“We anticipated this third quarter revenue decline, for two related reasons,” Harshman said. “First, some customers who are bleeding down inventory positions established during the pandemic, and second, better than anticipated progress on DOCSIS 4.0 technology, was leading to a slowdown in DOCSIS 3.1 deployment plans in anticipation, of DOCSIS 4.0 rollout. This is all playing out largely as we had anticipated.”

Harshman added that for the company;s DOCSIS 4.0 strategy, “the progress has been stunning,” noting the success of the Harmonic’s cOS cloud-native software and the company’s work on edge devices.  

Harmonic did not reveal a timeline for its review. 

DENVER, Colo.—OpenVault has partnered with Harmonic to integrate OpenVault’s Profile Management Application (PMA) technology with Harmonic’s market-leading cOS broadband platform (formerly CableOS).

The integration will simplify the optimization of bandwidth and performance for operators with DOCSIS 3.1 or higher networks, the companies said.

OpenVault’s OV PMA software adds a significant new functionality to broadband CMTSs, increasing effective usable bandwidth and network resiliency for operators. The integration of OV PMA software enables the CMTS to identify network impairments and maximize network capacity when they are present, resulting in superior experiences for broadband subscribers, the companies said. 

“As the first member of the Kyrio PMA Partner Program, we’ve been out front in creating and evangelizing the power of PMA,” said Mark Trudeau, CEO and founder of OpenVault. “Our partnership with Harmonic is the first example of how vendors can make OV PMA an essential part of operational capabilities, driving performance and resiliency higher in DOCSIS 3.1 or higher network.”

PMA was developed to leverage the programmable PHY layer to increase the usable capacity in DOCSIS 3.1 networks. The goal of PMA is to optimize the amount of data that can be transferred on an OFDM(A) channel in a given amount of time based on real-world impaired plant conditions.

OpenVault’s OV PMA optimizes modulation profiles used by DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems on OFDM(A) channels. It then routinely monitors and adjusts these profiles based on changing RF impairments, to ensure that subscribers receive the best possible service quality. This results in improvement of up to 40% in overall network capacity and bolsters the resilience of DOCSIS 3.1 modems, particularly in the presence of impairments, OpenVault said. 

OpenVault will be showing OV PMA and its complete suite of solutions in Booth 1916 at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo October 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center.

Today’s consumers have an increasing array of choices when it comes to consuming media and broadcasters are uniquely positioned to attract more viewers than ever before. Whether it’s over the air or over IP or traditional pay TV, broadcasters have the background and expertise to create, manage and monetize their content in ways that can maximize their bottom line. 

Join us on Thursday, September 28th at 2pm EST. 

In this webinar, we will discuss best practices in managing the creation of content, focusing on the variety of media formats now available, manage your content archives, the most effective monetization strategies and take a look at how emerging technologies such as AI and new methods of distribution will impact the future of media consumption.

Register for the event here. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that WRC Promoter GmbH has deployed Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS for playout and streaming of live sports events.

WRC Promoter is the company responsible for TV production and commercial aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX).

"The WRC fan base is growing, and our goal is to maximize our viewership," said Philipp Maenner, WRC Promoter's senior director of media rights. "Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS streamlines the playout and delivery of live events and linear channels, helping us expand our video streaming service. With Harmonic's VOS360 SaaS, we can deliver video to new affiliates on the fly, broadening our global footprint."

Using VOS360 Media SaaS, WRC Promoter successfully launched Rally.TV, a new linear channel, and consolidated multiple apps (WRC, ERC, World RX) into a single platform. VOS360 SaaS is deployed in a geo-redundant configuration, assuring the highest service availability. Real-time scaling and geo-redundancy features on VOS360 SaaS enable WRC Promoter to stream sports events reliably and at scale, with pristine video quality, Harmonic reported. 

"Our VOS360 Media SaaS powers streaming for many of the world's top sports events, and we're excited to help WRC Promoter achieve unparalleled scalability, reliability and quality," said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, video products and solutions at Harmonic. "With VOS360 SaaS, WRC Promoter can tap into the efficiencies of the cloud and utilize the same playout feed for delivery to consumers and affiliates, bringing exceptional-quality live sports streaming to more than 250 million motorsport fans."

Harmonic will demonstrate its latest innovations in streaming and broadcast delivery at IBC2023, Sept. 15-18 in Amsterdam. To schedule a meeting with Harmonic in stand 1.B20, visit https://info.harmonicinc.com/ibc. Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com. 

Matt Adams, a video technology innovator who touched many lives in the industry, died of cancer August 18, 2023. He was 65.

“Anyone who had the good fortune to know Matt will tell you that he was a selfless genius – a truly extraordinary, unique individual,” said Larry Kaplan, President and CEO of SDVI.

Adams was a video pioneer. In 1976, he utilized Ku-band satellite for telemedicine and distance learning—before he’d even turned twenty. In 1984, he built and deployed transportable satellite services to televise the Olympics. In 1989, he designed and implemented the first all-serial digital television facility, for The Christian Science Monitor. He led a team that designed the technical architecture of the first Direct TV plant in Castle Rock, CO in 1993. He developed a file-based remote workflow for NBC Olympics in 2002, which over the next couple of decades blossomed into a full-fledged remote digital asset management system. In 2009, while working for Harmonic Inc, he developed a similar system that served as CNN’s production backbone.

“All those accomplishments aren’t what people who knew Matt are going to reminisce about,” said Chris Lee, a longtime friend who worked with Adams on the Direct TV and CNN projects. Lee remembers Adams as a great and compassionate listener. “We’d be on some project, I’d be buried in deadline details, and here Matt would be having this long conversation with someone that to me seemed unrelated. But time and time again, that deep connection he made with people would turn out to be helpful both to that person and if not to this project, the next one.”

Chris Worth, an Adams colleague at Direct TV and NBC Olympics, remembers how much Matt appreciated people. “Matt had a sincere and far-reaching appreciation for the uniqueness of each person he met, often connecting with colorful people on the fringes as well as heads of many small and large companies and also the every day people he met at the parts stores, the restaurants, the gas stations.” Worth added, “He was the least judgmental person I have ever met. In Matt's view, everyone had something to contribute to the world they lived in and something special to offer.”

Adams was awarded seven Emmys and a patent. The Emmys were all related to technical innovation for NBC Olympics, where he worked with David Mazza, the recently retired Senior VP and CTO. “Matt did not let norms or ‘never been done before’ slow him down,” Mazza said. “His influence helped us innovate and implement most of our best ideas. We truly could not have done all that we did without Matt’s amazing unbridled imagination.”

In aggregate, these innovations for NBC Olympics changed the economics of remote broadcasting and have since been adopted by many other productions. Adams’ led an effort to incorporate racks and studio equipment into shipping containers to reduce set-up and transportation costs. By the 2008 games, the remote file-based systems he helped develop enabled NBC to employ 600 people at its New York headquarters editing Beijing clips and highlights.

Prior to working for NBC and Omneon/Harmonic, Adams ran his own consultancy for 15 years, with clients that included CBS, ABC, PBS, TV Global, The Christian Science Monitor, Kodak, Netcom, HP, Sony, Tektronic and Apple. The common thread in all of these engagements was Adam’s ability to see problems from different angles. 

Colleague Brian Chavez remembers this from his work with Adams at Harmonic. “Whenever Matt would enter a room for a meeting with colleagues or customers, he would often sit to the side and simply listen to the discussion, occasionally nodding in agreement or gazing at each person or at nothing,” Chavez recalled. “Only after things came to an impasse would he clear his throat and quietly propose an idea, a solution or an angle to solve a problem that all of the smart people in the room hadn’t even considered. He had a gift looking at things from a different plane of thought and contributed to many solutions, projects and successes.”

Adams was born and raised in Redwood City, California and lived, at various times, in the Bay Area, Boston, New York and finally, San Diego. His final days were spent saying goodbye to old friends and family in a comfortable, home setting. He is succeeded by his daughter Elle, now a young lawyer, and his two sisters Kristin and Lisa. A memorial is online at https://memorialsource.com/memorial/matthew-adams. That site will have details of informal in-person gatherings planned for October in the Bay Area and New York.

If you’d like to make a gift in his name, Matt Adam’s favorite charities are https://youthcare.org/donate/ and https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/.

Streaming has become a dominant force in the media industry. Every year, more and more video streaming services are launched. By 2030, the streaming industry is expected to be worth $416.84 billion, according to Grand View Research. 

The rise In video streaming services opens up new opportunities for video service providers, but there are also unique challenges. This article will look at the key challenges that streaming service providers face today in order to remain competitive, retain subscribers, and ultimately future-proof their services to ensure success. In addition, the article will highlight what technologies and solutions are taking streaming to new heights.

Video Streaming Challenges
Video service providers are dealing with several crucial challenges in the streaming environment. A significant issue is scalability. Scaling streaming services for high volumes of consumers on the fly is difficult, especially for live events. There have been multiple instances in the news lately where major streaming players have failed at delivering live events at scale. Service providers must be able to handle sudden spikes in viewer traffic in real time.

Another issue is latency, or the time between real-time action for live video and the video displaying on the subscriber’s screen. Latency is a challenge for live content, as well as the delivery of personalized ads. Any type of noticeable delay between a live video stream or ad and the broadcast results can reduce the quality of experience (QoE) and impact viewer satisfaction.

In addition, monetizing streaming content is tricky but necessary. The streaming industry is moving toward delivering individually targeted ads to viewers for a few reasons. Streaming fragmentation and subscription fatigue, in particular, have created an increase in ad-supported and free ad services. Many of today’s ad-based streaming services now offer premium content, enabling them to compete with subscription-based offerings. By delivering targeted ads, service providers can increase their monetization and viewer engagement.

Based on an IAB report, digital video advertising spend increased 21% in 2022 to $47.1 billion and is projected to rise an additional 17% to $55.2 billion in 2023. Audience targeting capabilities was cited as the top reason why buyers are increasing CTV spend. Unfortunately, the targeted ad ecosystem is complex, there’s a lack of knowledge by most service providers about how to effectively deliver targeted advertising at scale. 

Strategies for Video Streaming Success
Competition is fierce in the streaming market. To keep viewers satisfied and drive monetization, video service providers need solutions that will enable real-time scaling, low-latency streaming, and targeted ad delivery, ensuring an outstanding quality of experience, even during periods of peak demand.  

Cloud-based video streaming platforms have proven time and again that they are the key to success, providing service providers with the agility to scale and advanced technologies that elevate the streaming experience. The elasticity of the cloud enables service providers to scale their streaming services up and down, as needed. Service providers only pay for what they need, since cloud-based streaming platforms are based on a pay-as-you-grow business model.

Whether used for live or on-demand streaming applications, the cloud is incredibly robust. 

By embracing a streaming platform that supports geo-redundancy, multi-cloud, and multi-CDN, video service providers can ensure higher availability and uninterrupted streaming experiences.

Geo-redundancy refers to relying on data centers across multiple geographic locations. With a multi-cloud approach, service providers decrease the risk of outages. If one cloud goes down, their streaming service is automatically backed up by another cloud provider. Cloud-based streaming platforms that support multiple CDNs enable video service providers to decide the best delivery path for viewers, optimizing QoE and costs.

Choosing a streaming platform that supports innovative technologies like cloud, content-aware encoding, and the CMAF standard is critical for delivering latency as low as five to six seconds (i.e., about the same end-to-end latency as a live broadcast).

To ensure the least disruptive ad experience possible for viewers and boost monetization, targeted ad delivery is a must. Server-side ad insertion (SSAI) is the key enabling technology for addressable advertising. Using an SSAI SaaS that is fully cloud-based, service providers can deliver targeted addressable advertising to an unlimited number of viewers, tapping into the multi-billion dollars of projected ad spend. 

There is no shortage of challenges in the video streaming environment. Streaming video is complex, the market is ultra-competitive, and audiences have extremely high expectations for exceptional-quality, low-latency, interactive streaming experiences. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that telecommunications service provider Claro Perú, which is part of the América Móvil group, has expanded its use of Harmonic's CableOS Broadband Platform for the launch of a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offering that sustainably delivers next-gen broadband and 10G speeds.

"We're excited to introduce a new FTTH offering that fuels faster, more reliable broadband experiences for customers while significantly reducing our space, power and cooling costs as we expand our service areas," said Nelson Moscoso, deputy director of fixed services network at Claro Perú. "We have successfully trialed the FTTH offering utilizing Harmonic's CableOS Platform in our Lima Hub, and we're ready to go live by early next year."

Claro Perú previously deployed Harmonic's CableOS Platform in a distributed access architecture (DAA) with virtualized CMTS software, Reef Remote PHY (R-PHY) shelves and Ripple R-PHY nodes. By simply adding the CableOS Fin 10G SFP+ OLT to Ripple, Claro Peru can offer both 10G fiber and DOCSIS from the same node to rapidly deploy fiber service into new markets and strategically selected competitive areas.

"A growing number of forward-thinking broadband operators are choosing Harmonic's CableOS Platform for fiber-to-the-home services," said Nimrod Ben-Natan, senior vice president and general manager, broadband business at Harmonic. "Our unique solution will allow Claro Peru to significantly enhance the broadband experience for subscribers while accelerating time to market for 10G and minimizing the capital investment needed to provide fiber services."

Harmonic's CableOS Platform powers next-gen broadband services for over 90 innovative service providers worldwide, including leading operators in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Further information is available at www.harmonicinc.com. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic and DigiCAP are working on a new ATSC 3.0 delivery solution that combines the Harmonic XOS advance media processor’s statistical multiplexing technology with DigiCAP’s DigiCaster ATSC 3.0 headend, the companies said today.

The combination improves video quality and bandwidth efficiency, thereby streamlining the delivery of 3.0 services and enhancing the NextGen TV experience, they said.

"As ATSC 3.0 deployments accelerate across the U.S., we're on a mission to enable more efficient NextGen TV delivery and superior viewing experiences," said Jing Zhou, director of broadcast solutions at Harmonic. "Our collaboration with DigiCAP demonstrates how Harmonic is leading the charge for ATSC 3.0 innovation and showcases our continued commitment to the broadcast community."

The new solution provides real-time feedback from DigiCAP’s DigiCaster to the Harmonic XOS processor. The interactive connection gives broadcasters the ability to fine-tine bit rate allocations dynamically based on available bandwidth within 3.0 physical layer pipes. The solution supports real-time and non-real-time data transmissions, they said.

"The Harmonic-DigiCAP collaboration provides broadcasters with a solution to utilize the ATSC 3.0 spectrum much more efficiently," said Sang Jin Yoon, senior vice president of business development at DigiCAP. "DigiCAP products are deployed in ATSC 3.0-enabled stations throughout the United States, and this new solution will fuel even more NEXTGEN TV deployments."

More information is available on the Harmonic and DigiCAP websites. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has expanded its fiber broadband portfolio with the new Wharf hardened switch for high-density remote optical line termination (R-OLT) applications. 

The Wharf switch delivers reliable, ultra-fast broadband speeds to high-density service areas and accelerates time to market of XGS-PON or 10G-EPON fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services alongside 25/40/100G business-class services from outdoor cabinetry, Harmonic reported. 

"As speed wars intensify, operators are under pressure to compete for subscribers in both residential and enterprise segments," said Nimrod Ben-Natan, senior vice president and general manager, broadband business at Harmonic. "The compact Wharf chassis easily fits into traditional telco-style infrastructure, and leveraging Harmonic's virtualized core, provides operators with a one-stop solution for 10G fiber services and business-class connectivity."

The Wharf switch offers transport and aggregation with 24 10/25G Ethernet ports alongside an array of 100G and 400G ports, enabling all services to achieve full simultaneous line rate. Coupled with Harmonic's Emmy Award-winning virtualized core and Fin R-OLT pluggable, the multi-purpose Wharf switch enables up to 20 10G PON utilizing either ITU XGS-PON or CableLabs 10G-EPON standards.

The Wharf switch is now available to operators. Harmonic powers next-gen broadband services for over 90 innovative service providers worldwide, including leading operators in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Harmonic will showcase its virtualized core and new Wharf switch at ANGA COM in hall 8, booth C35. To schedule a meeting, visit https://info.harmonicinc.com/anga-com. Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that Malta-based telco operator Melita has selected Harmonic's CableOS Broadband Platform to deliver multi-gigabit broadband services.

Harmonic's CableOS Platform virtualizes the access network, providing Melita with a sustainable broadband architecture that will enable continuous improvements to upstream and downstream bandwidth capacity.

"Harmonic's CableOS Platform will complement our existing network, giving us a flexible, scalable foundation to provide the fastest, most reliable broadband services in Malta. We will have the agility to more efficiently meet bandwidth requirements and improve service quality for our subscribers," said Simon Montanaro, chief technical officer at Melita. "The CableOS Platform reduces the limitations imposed by our legacy CMTS architecture and improves quality for customers."

Melita will continue to upgrade its HFC DOCSIS network to a distributed access architecture with Harmonic's CableOS Platform, virtualized CMTS software and Ripple Remote-PHY node. 

Driving core functions and fiber deeper into the network will ensure faster, more reliable internet access for subscribers, lower energy consumption and significantly reduce the operator's space and power costs, the companies said. Melita will also use Harmonic's CableOS Central analytics with AI and streaming telemetry to ensure its broadband service quality and network performance.

"We're excited to add Melita to a growing list of global operators that have embraced the CableOS Platform to enable multi-gigabit services," said Nimrod Ben-Natan, senior vice president and general manager, broadband business at Harmonic. "Using the CableOS Platform and virtual CMTS deployed with Harmonic's Ripple R-PHY node for DAA, Melita will gain network agility and improve sustainability as it moves ahead on the path to 10G."

Harmonic will showcase how its CableOS Platform is providing operators with a competitive edge in the race to 10G at ANGA COM 2023, May 23-25, in stand C35, hall 8. 

Harmonic’s broadband segment is on quite a roll, with the San Jose, California-based software company’s sticky network virtualization products currently all the rage among larger cable operators including Comcast and Charter Communications.

Harmonic’s broadband product sales were up nearly 38 percent year over year in Q4 to $96 million. Harmonic’s share price has nearly doubled on the Nasdaq over the past year.

During a press conference Harmonic made a similar case of pending disruption and innovation for the video business — specifically the area of sports streaming — with a half-hour presentation of its cloud-based VOS360 video software-as-a-service (SaaS) product.

Harmonic’s Senior VP of Video Products, Gil Rudge, led a panel discussion featuring not only several other top video-product executives from the company, but also Dave Schafer, senior VP of product, technology and operations for Madison Square Garden Entertainment Group, which is launching its regional sports network over-the-top and direct-to-consumer with the introduction of MSG Plus this summer.

“We’re knee-deep in the product build right now, said Schafer, who specifically noted the flexibility of new VOS360 monetization features. This flexibility will allow MSG Plus operators to explore new business opportunities including paid program sponsorship.

“Monetization features are very important to us,” Schafer added. “We’re trying to explore what we can do beyond subscription revenue.”

Streaming of live sports events is booming. A study by Parks Associates predicts that annual sports streaming subscription revenue in the U.S. will increase by 73% from $13.1 billion in 2022 to $22.6 billion in 2027. Consumers love to watch live sports via video streaming services; however, there is a growing need for personalization. Fans are more satisfied and engaged when sports content has been personalized with real-time stats, multiple camera views, targeted ads and other advanced features.

This article will explore the key technologies driving better personalization in live sports streaming and the opportunities personalization brings to content providers streaming both premium and niche sports.

Strategies for Personalizing the Live Sports Streaming Experiences 
Two key transformations happening with regards to personalizing live sports streaming experiences. First, the user experience is becoming significantly more engaging. Second, ads are becoming more relevant and persuasive to viewers. 

Multiview is a state-of-the-art technology enabling more immersive live sports streaming experiences. With multivew, service providers shoot multiple camera angles of a scene and then enable viewers to choose the angle that they want to watch. Multiview elevates the live sports streaming experience by providing viewers with multiple angles of significant events, such as goals and penalties. 

Another way service providers can improve personalization of live sports streaming experiences is by providing real-time graphics and data. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a sports organization experimenting with synchronizing sports data with the video at the player level. After conducting a deep dive analysis on consumers, they concluded that the younger generation of viewers is hungry for data and control over what they’re watching. By enabling viewers to choose which graphic overlays and sports data they want to see, video service providers can satisfy the demand for data-driven sports streaming experiences.

In addition, watch together makes live sports streaming experiences more socially engaging and personalized. Watch together allows viewers to watch videos with friends and family, see their reactions and comment in real time, no matter where you are in the world. The main challenge of delivering watch together services is that live streams need to be delivered synchronously. A low-latency video streaming platform is needed to ensure seamless communication between all connected viewers. 

Thematic sports channels are also accelerating. Sports leagues and rights holders generally have a deep library of content, and by launching a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel, they can reach a specific audience with exclusive content such as live games, behind-the-scenes video, locker room tours, and more. By adopting a cloud-based video platform that includes channel assembly capabilities, it’s easy to create thematic channels.

Gamification is another trend that is picking up steam to improve personalization for live sports streaming. With gamification, viewers receive instant-play games while watching live sports events. For instance, viewers will be asked whether they think a player will be successful with a penalty kick or what the final score of the game will be. Ultimately, gamification helps keep viewers engaged with the sports event.

The personalization enhancements happening to live sports streaming experiences are being driven by the latest cloud technology innovations. Cloud-based streaming platforms enable service providers to deliver personalized live sports streaming services, such as multiview and watch together, with unparalleled agility, resiliency, security and scalability for a superior, low-latency viewing experience. 

Improving Live Sports Streaming With Individually Addressable Advertising, Frequency Capping and More 
Live sports streaming is one of the most valuable ad inventory categories. By engaging viewers with compelling advertising, video service providers can create a superior live sports streaming experience and increase monetization opportunities.

Sports streaming platforms have access to a significant amount of viewer data, enabling them to build an accurate profile on each individual viewer and deliver deeper individual targeting and addressability. With an innovative server-side ad insertion (SSAI) SaaS that enables individually addressable advertising, including dynamic brand insertion, service providers can deliver targeted ads to millions of concurrent viewers for live sports streaming.

Segmenting viewers based on certain characteristics that advertisers want to target is key. With the latest SSAI technology, service providers can segment a much deeper level of audience to achieve the maximum CPM. Ads can be personalized down to the user level, based on available data.

Other ad techniques that video service providers can use to personalize live sports streaming include frequency capping and frequency control, which ensure that viewers do not see the same ads over and over again. When viewers see the same ad too much, it leads to fatigue and dissatisfaction with the overall streaming experience. Frequency capping and control keep viewers engaged and ensure that a brand doesn’t get oversaturated.

Another way to personalize ads, reduce oversaturation and improve brand recognition is through advertising storytelling. With this method of targeted advertising, three or four ads are delivered to viewers as part of an overall story that an advertiser is trying to tell. Once viewers have seen the first ad in the story, the consecutive ads are shown. Then, the next day the advertiser might show the same story again, or something completely different with the goal of delivering a memorable ad impression. 

In today’s increasingly fragmented sports streaming environment, keeping viewers engaged is critical. Fans have a number of options for consuming live sports content. By offering features such as multiview, watch together, and individually addressable ads, service providers can deliver a more appealing live sports streaming experience, drive viewer engagement and increase monetization.

TV TECH: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2023 NAB Show?

GIL RUDGE: A key trend for the media and entertainment industry is the migration to the cloud. At the 2023 NAB Show, there will be a heightened focus on how cloud-based solutions are improving workflow efficiencies and monetization for video service providers. In particular, we expect to see advancements in cloud and hybrid playout solutions. 

We’re also seeing significant innovation with ad tech. Advanced targeted advertising, especially server-side ad insertion (SSAI), is becoming increasingly important for streaming services, with even large players adding ad-supported services after previously saying they wouldn’t do so.

The total addressable market for SSAI is growing at more than 30 percent CAGR. Therefore, we expect SSAI to be a major component for any streaming application that wants to improve monetization going forward.

ATSC 3.0 deployments are accelerating, so there will be a buzz around NextGen TV solutions at the show. With cloud software solutions, broadcasters can usher in a new era of interactive, personalized, and user-oriented broadcast television on top of the standard Over the Air (OTA) transmission.

TVT: What will be your most important product news?

RUDGE: At the 2023 NAB Show, Harmonic is taking video to the next level with innovations in SSAI and cloud playout. During the show, we’ll unveil an exciting new solution for ad insertion that supports individual addressable advertising at scale, helping video service providers improve monetization for a variety of streaming applications, including live sports, FAST, linear and VOD 

Additionally, we will demonstrate innovative capabilities as well as an expanded ecosystem for cloud playout that supports a wide range of video streaming and broadcast workflows to simplify the delivery of services to consumers globally.

As the number of ATSC 3.0 deployments increase in the United States, Harmonic will show how it is leading the charge for NextGen TV with our XOS advanced media processor.

TVT: How is your new product different from what’s available on the market?

RUDGE: Our new ad insertion offering is the industry’s first mature solution for delivering individually addressable advertising at scale. It is backed by Harmonic’s worldwide team of DevOps experts, simplifying integration and deployment in even the most challenging workflows like low-latency sports streaming.

Harmonic’s DevOps team provides 24/7 monitoring for our cloud platform to ensure the highest service availability. The success of our DevOps team was illustrated during last year’s World Cup, when a major Latin American OTT operator used the VOS360 video SaaS platform to stream matches with low latency to over a million concurrent viewers. The VOS360 platform provided a streaming latency matching broadcast and closer to real time than local competitive streaming services.

While some video platforms are just a service running in the cloud, Harmonic offers a fully orchestrated cloud-native solution that supports the entire media workflow. Our solution can run on our customers’ cloud accounts or run as a full SaaS with cloud included. No one else in the market has such a robust offering that has been tested to scale by customers for the most important and demanding events in the world.

On the playout front, our offering is one of the most comprehensive and innovative on the market. We offer the most reliable and feature-rich on-premise playout solutions with Spectrum X and cutting-edge, cloud-based broadcast playout with VOS360, both of which are controlled by multiple automation and traffic systems. At the NAB Show, we will also introduce new ways to automate channel schedules and reduce the cost of launching linear and FAST channels through new partnerships in conjunction with VOS360.  

TVT: NAB Show is celebrating its centennial this year. How many NAB Shows have you been to and do you have any particular standout memories of past shows?

RUDGE: My first NAB was nearly 20 years ago. Attending as an engineer, it was the most memorable show for me. I was able to see the breadth and size of our industry for the first time, interacting with vendors and customers. Over the past two decades, it’s been amazing to watch the industry’s growth and its adoption of new technologies. It’s also been interesting to reflect on the evolution of the industry in parallel to my own personal journey. A lot has changed between 20 years ago and today!