Accept, Adopt & Accelerate Changing Role Of

+ 5 October-December 2020+ + www.apb-news.com OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2020

NEWS & VIEWS 6 CREATION 14 MANAGEMENT 17 +TELECOM & ICT 21 DISTRIBUTION 25 Accept, adopt & accelerate changing role of technology ... or die!

The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has cast a pall on ❝IABM, early in the pandemic, the broadcast industry, halting production, disrupting took radical action and created workflows and forcing the cancellation of live events a Virtual Platform … hugely and trade shows such as NAB Show and IBC Showcase. successful in helping members How can we recover, what changes will define to communicate and the next 12 months and how should broadcasters put them in front of navigate themselves in 2021? APB+ Managing Editor technology buyers.❞ Raymond Tan speaks to Peter White, Chairman of — Peter White, Chairman, IABM the International Trade Association for the Broadcast & Media Industry (IABM), on his thoughts of what lies consolidation as well as increased investment in content. ahead … The move to DTC with its thin- ner margins also requires increased APB+: What is the state of the mar- a new generation of IT and environ- efficiency and agility, producing a ket now and how has the pandemic ment-aware talent. greater focus on business models. – from lockdown restrictions to The pandemic and ensuing lock- Technology has become merely an the cancellation of trade events – downs have driven digital subscrip- enabler for those business models, impacted the broadcast and media tions massively upwards, while tradi- and broadcasters are increasingly industry, derailing growth and tional pay-TV and advertising-based turning to insourcing for better innovation in 2020? business models have been hit hard control and responsiveness. Peter White: IABM has just released – especially so in relation to cancelled Today, the new skills required a Special Report – Charting the Un- live sports programming. are often being recruited from charted – which examines the effects Stay-at-home mandates have outside the industry, with traditional of the Covid-19 pandemic on the also caused a fundamental shift in broadcast engineering skills becom- industry. It offers a comprehensive working patterns – and tremendously ing less and less in demand. overview of where we’ve got to and accelerated the industry’s previously where we’re heading — and it is well pedestrian progress towards de- How do you continue to engage worth a read. materialised operations in the cloud, technology buyers without meet- The key findings were: underpinned by as-a-service technol- ing them face-to-face? The coronavirus pandemic has ogies and business models. White: In the aftermath of cancella- INSIDE: compressed fundamental changes To survive the storm, traditional tions of trade shows, our members APB+ that were already slowly under way broadcasters have moved rapidly began to explore and develop virtual in the industry into just months or to supplement their output with promotion. IABM recognised early in Satellite even weeks. The propellants include DTC offerings, and to search for the the pandemic that radical action was Special the changing role of technology, the necessary scale to compete with the needed to support members through See pages 27-34 move to as-a-service, insourcing and digital giants through acquisition or 88 2 NEWS & VIEWS May-June 2019 Seek the best, embrace the new, October-December 2020 (Volume 37 Issue 5) be persistent & stay positive to EDITORIAL editorial director Andrew Yeo, [email protected] managing editor overcome pandemic in 2021 Raymond Tan, [email protected] contributing editor (technology) Karl K Rossiter, [email protected] Like many industries, the coronavirus has debilitated the more funding, revenue and better distribution, with cloud news editor broadcast, media and entertainment sectors, bringing platforms, gaming companies and broadcasters getting Lara Tan, [email protected] us down several pegs from where we were just nine into the fray. CORRESPONDENTS months before. With travel restrictions continuing, virtual and hybrid And as we approach the start of a new year, what trade shows should continue to be de rigueur. They may n The Philippines will 2021 be and how best can we navigate the changing even become a permanent fixture when conferences Tina Arceo-Dumlao, [email protected] landscape? venues are full, with contact tracing and safety regulations n India In this last print edition of the year, APB+ takes note being SOP for trade show organisers. Shirish Nadkarni, [email protected] of some prominent industry voices and stakeholders on n USA how they have been navigating the coronavirus crisis, Onus of change on broadcasters Mike Feazel, [email protected] and learn how they are evolving by leveraging digital The Covid-19 crisis has transformed the industry globally, PRODUCTION technologies and embarking on new initiatives for 2021 and I see the biggest onus to change lying with broad- production editor [See Outlook prognoses on pages 10-12]. casters – they face shorter timescales to market, must find Zuraini Ridzwan, [email protected] We’ve also been hearing a lot of talk about the ‘new new ways to create content, reduce complexity and costs accounts manager normal’. But what exactly is the ‘new normal’? in production as well as shift towards automated business Tan Hui Min, [email protected] How much have we understood the new survival models and workflows. MARKETING dynamics, what are the opportunities that will resonate Broadcasters stand at the precipice of a new digital director - marketing & business development in 2021, and how ready are we to transform ourselves? landscape and must transform themselves to serve the Joey Tan, [email protected] Digital transformation was in motion in the indus- changing market needs – no matter how onerous they marketing/circulation/editorial intern try well before the pandemic started. Covid-19 has are – to stay relevant. It won’t be an overnight excercise; Rachel Tan, [email protected] compressed changes at a speed unseen. McKinsey best they must strategically adapt to the new normal and PUBLISHING encapsulates this accelerated transition by describing it change accordingly. publisher as “vaulting five years of consumer and business digital A Deloitte report on how the TV industry will evolve in Andrew Yeo, [email protected] adoption” in just weeks. 10 years’ time (see Insight, page 7) painting a scenario in MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES where broadcasters can redefine their roles in the future n China What is the ‘new normal’? of TV, or risk being overtaken by digital platforms that will Yang Ou There are clear and discernible trends that we can see win the content and customer relationship war as they can BEIJING BUNCH EXHIBITION going into 2021. engage with audiences directly, embrace DTC and kill off SERVICES LTD Covid-19 has jump-started digitalisation and accel- content for broadcasters. Room 501/B1, Thunis Development erated the transition to the cloud and into new business IABM chairman Peter White puts this challenge suc- Building, No. 11 Huixin East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029 models. Today, we are working with faster Internet cinctly in our cover story interview that the die for change Tel: +86-10-6482 3808-106 speeds, improved network infrastructures and new has already been cast and that the industry cannot roll Fax: +86-10-6482 3670 compression standards, among other new developments. back to its old ways. E-mail: [email protected] The cloud is a game changer. Thanks to micro services, We stand poised for another challenging year but the n Japan building and deploying products and services to the resilience of the industry to overcome crises in the past Mikio Tsuchiya cloud is much easier and quicker to do. The cloud is ena- gives me many reasons to be optimistic. WORLD MEDIA SERVICES INC bling content creators to manage their video production I believe another defining moment is upon us and that 3-35-1-302, Hongodai, Sakae-Ku, Yokohama 247-0008 chain from end to end. success is often borne from the result of seeking the best, Tel/Fax: +81-45-891-1852 Remote production and live streaming were first embracing new ideas, hard persistent work and learning E-mail: [email protected] conceived as a strategic diversification, but with no from the past. n USA & Canada certainty on how long Covid-19 will last, they are likely Finally, be strong and stay positive … and on behalf Gary L Rhodes to be ‘the norm’ for live events, news or sports in 2021. of the APB+ team, I wish you a SEDOR MEDIA INC Increasingly, we will move away from non-cloud rewarding Q4 2020 … and all 45 Florence Avenue, Leonardo, NJ 07737, USA proprietary and legacy systems. REMI and automation the best for 2021! Tel: 1-848-757-2930 will be important as they can help broadcasters reduce E-mail: [email protected] expensive human resources required for live production. AI and IP-based software defined tools can offer Asia-Pacific Broadcasting is published by: them an expedient way to cope with complexity in their workflows. Editec International Pte Ltd Working remotely, self-isolation and stay-at-home 8 Burn Road measures are likely to remain in some manner and this #08-06 Trivex will continue boosting media consumption in the home. Singapore 369977 Tel: 65 6282 8456 This will also continue to lead to a high engagement of entertainment services such as video on-demand and n www.apb-news.com gaming. n www.facebook.com/APBnews Indeed, we can expect to see new business and data RAYMOND TAN n www.twitter.com/APB_News monetisation models based on advertising around VoD – MANAGING n www.linkedin.com/company/ asia-pacific-broadcasting and catch-up TV. EDITOR It will also be interesting to see if eSports can gain All rights reserved. MCI (P) 062/08/2020 mainstream acceptance. There is for sure going to be Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT MAKING MEDIA

DISCOVER LIMITLESS POSSIBILIITES WITH THE TRUE POWER OF ELASTIC COMPUTE Free yourself from the constraints of existing workflows with the revolutionary new GV AMPP. Fully software-based and powered by microservices that deliver unprecedented functionality and the flexibility to instantly spin resources up or down and pay as you go – even in live production environments. 100% resource utilization – only pay for what you use Truly distributed workflows – produce and manage content from anywhere, even home! Easily run in the cloud, on premises or hybrid scenarios GV AMPP Agile Media Processing Platform Change Everything! Find out more at grassvalley.com/gvampp

October-December 2020 (Volume 37 Issue 5)

14 28 News & Views 6 VIEW FROM THE TOP: Creating meaningful online content for audiences in Asia-Pacific Facebook has greatly impacted how content is being consumed and ways they can be monetised. Saurabh Doshi, Director of Entertainment Partnerships at Facebook Asia Pacific, shares how broadcasters in Asia are leveraging Facebook to widen their reach. 7 INSIGHTS: TV Odyssey 2030: Lost in Diversity or Revenge of the Broadcasters? Today, the market is led by several drivers – digitalisation, new innovations and disruption by the incumbent VoD players. APB+ Managing Editor Raymond Tan delves into Deloitte’s prediction of the future scenarios for the industry in 2030. 10 2021 Outlook & Trends How has Covid-19 affected companies and their planning? How should industry players be positioning themselves to grow again? APB+ speaks with several key leaders and influencers to obtain their perspectives and priorities for 2021. Creation 14 FEATURE: Deploy 3Cs to ward off the coronavirus and ensure the continuity of remote production What are the three critical drivers that can underpin the continuity of remote production – Collaboration, Connectivity and Contribution? APB+ News Editor Lara Tan seeks out solution providers for their answers to the question. Management 17 FEATURE: Is DAI the vaccine to staunch ad haemorrhage to enable broadcasters to survive & thrive? As media operators are losing TV & print revenues, it is important they regain their losses via digital mediums with the help of innovative technologies in the new year. Can emerging smart and adaptive ads regain advertising support? + Telecom & ICT 21 FEATURE: Hyper-scale computing: The heart of the new data- driven world Hyperscale computing has radically changed the landscape; it is on the ascendancy, with data hubs now at the centre of the hyper data world, buoyed by video streaming, software-defined networking, IoT, AR and AI applications. Raymond Tan consults with leading players in the industry to surface opportunities for Asia. Distribution 25 FEATURE: DTC redefining content consumption in the post-Covid world With traditional pay-TV on the wane and more consumers turning to streaming for content, can DTC become mainstream? APB+ looks at the trends driving DTC adoption to find out how DTC business models will be evolving in the post-Covid era. Supplement 28 SATELLITE SPECIAL 2020: Satellite will play a key role in the delivery of content to mobile devices in 5G era For more information, please contact +65 6282 8456 Will satellite technology accelerate 5G deployments through mobile or e-mail [email protected] backhaul and trunking services, in the same way that it is extending existing 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks? Lara Tan files her report. + May-June 2020 3

BROADCAST NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONTROL

IP PROBING AND MONITORING

MULTI-CHANNEL PLAYOUT AUTOMATION AND CONTENT DELIVERY

SDN ORCHESTRATION

LOW LATENCY SECURE VIDEO TRANSPORT ACROSS ANY IP NETWORK

Create the IP ecosystem that works for you. Without the lock-ins.

Technology moves way too fast to be locked into an IP ecosystem solution from a single manufacturer that doesn’t quite tick all your boxes. Magna can help customise a successful solution for you that works just the way you need it to. With our trusted partners, using only quality products that adhere to the latest standards including SMPTE 2110 and NMOS, we deliver flexible, future-proof solutions for broadcast media and telcos alike.

Whether it’s for studio, control room, playout, editing or transport, there’s a Magna solution that works for you. Contact your local Magna office now. www.magnasys.tv

50 YEARS OF INNOVATION. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS. SUCCESSFUL SOLUTIONS. LASTING RELATIONSHIPS. Sydney | Auckland | Hong Kong | Jakarta | Singapore + 6 October-December 2020

❝It’s a discipline for How to maintain employers and managers to ensure their staff don’t feel the work-life balance and pressure to be available 24/7 to prove they’re working, just mental state of staff? because they’re at home.❞

BY MARC BRUCE for critical shift workers, all of which mute, the interruptions to debate ers and managers to ensure their staff minimised the risk of cross-infection something with a team that feels im- don’t feel the pressure to be available As I reflect on 10 months of living should an employee test positive for mediately important and I’m sure the 24/7 to prove they’re working, just and working under the Covid-19 Covid-19; we are still working under family is ready for a break from dad. because they’re at home. pandemic, including five months of the same conditions. I believe the future of the workforce For our business, we also have the working from home, I’ve been consid- It’s been fascinating to watch the locale sits somewhere in between both challenge of managing on-site shift ering its immediate impact and what changing rhetoric and emotions with approaches, and ultimately should be teams. This provides a separate set of this may mean on the future working regards to working from home. I’ll ad- dynamic enough to meet the needs of considerations; the team on shift may life of our teams. mit that the initial upside was person- employees and employers. feel isolated in the facility having to In the run-up to and throughout ally attractive: no daily commute, more One or two days a week working run the services and be left to face the the lockdown period, like many busi- time to think, less interruptions and, from home, with at least one day a risk of commuting while the pandemic ness leaders, I have been managing crucially, more time with the family. week with all staff in the office, strikes is still raging on. many competing priorities. However, Twitter’s announcement in May me as the ideal solution for businesses We have tried to address this by sup- one has taken priority over everything allowing staff to work from to accommodate. plementing the commute and regular else – how do we manage the well- home permanently, if they are It may help companies get communications – town halls, emails, being of our staff, and what long-term in a suitable role and desire to the best out of their workforce quizzes, remote lunches, site visits. impact does the current disruption do so, felt as though it was the and optimise their real estate I’m not sure we have found the have on our future work practices? start of a permanent change in while ensuring staff keep a work- perfect solution yet, but we’ll keep When the pandemic started to how digitally enabled businesses could life balance and mental state that working on it – and all recommenda- impact the wider community, the first manage and interact with their teams. means they deliver their best work. tions are welcome. thing that Encompass did, ahead of A few months on, Netflix CEO The next step is to figure out how One thing is sure, work life will any government legislation, was to Reed Hastings declared his belief we can give those working from home never be the same again, and I think ensure non-critical employees worked that remote working creates negative ‘digital downtime’. Various studies that will be for the better. from home. effects, a feeling that captures the show that people feel permanently In addition, we quickly put in a zeitgeist of the ongoing pandemic. ‘on’ and are struggling to switch off Marc Bruce is Managing Director, number of procedures and policies Right now, I miss the daily com- from work. It’s a discipline for employ- APAC of Encompass Digital Media.

❝To Creating meaningful online content give our partners a for audiences in Asia-Pacific sustainable

BY SAURABH DOSHI monetisation tools like the Creator connect to culturally relevant and business Studio, In-Stream Ads, user pay mod- topical content that bring the com- model At Facebook, we believe that video els and more – that can support their munities together. For example, content should activate a commu- businesses. Indonesia’s Trans7 reached an addi- and reward them for the nity of people – a fanbase, a social tional 100 million people by integrat- amazing content they circle, a demographic, or affinity Creating new experiences for ing a social video programme with group – boosting conversation and digital audiences its popular Ramadan variety special, produce, we launched the empowering people to become ac- What is really exciting in APAC is the Sahur Segerr. The Trans7 staff suc- ability to monetise videos tive participants in the stories, and ability for traditional media partners cessfully used Facebook groups to ex- via in-stream ads in over engage with other viewers and the to experiment with new formats and tend and build connections with their content creators themselves. use a platform like Watch to reach audiences and boost engagement by 40 countries.❞ Since the launch of Facebook new audiences and build strong affi- using AR filters and creating special Watch in 2018, we see more than 1.25 nity for their content among their moments like polls and commentary and Creator Studio, our partners are billion people visiting our platform community. Motivated by the desire with Facebook Live. given a suite of options to access every month to engage with content to connect to and build diverse au- Our partners are also experiment- their insights, control their rights, and they love, content that celebrates the diences, they are bringing some of ing with new concepts, including con- choose monetisation products across community and drives conversation. the most beloved series to Watch necting traditional broadcasters like our Facebook platforms. Over these past two years, we while harnessing new audiences and MTV Asia with popular online creators The past two years have been have worked with a diverse revenue streams. like Jamie Zhu to create new show a pivotal moment for Facebook. range of local partners – from For example, Indonesia’s formats including an upcoming eight- Watch created a place on Facebook established and emerging cre- MNC Group has popular shows episode series You Bought What?! for people to find the video content ators, to traditional media from across its channels such that they love and start conversations companies – who have em- as RCTI, GTV Indonesia and Supporting revenue streams with friends and family. braced Watch by distributing video MNCTV, including local versions of in- and content creation We will continue to work with our content spanning news, sports and ternational reality shows such as sing- To give our partners a sustainable partners to bring more local content entertainment. ing competition Indonesia Idol and business model and reward them for to the platform, build additional Video consumption is often an The Voice Kids, along with the cooking the amazing content they produce, revenue streams and reach new au- integral part of people’s social media show MasterChef. In Vietnam, we have we launched the ability to monetise diences, so our regional community experience and we are committed to also collaborated with Multimedia videos via in-stream ads in over 40 can continue to grow and thrive. supporting our partners in the region JSC on modelling-themed reali- countries. Partners also have full ed- to connect to the audience that love ty shows The Face Vietnam and itorial control of how their content is Saurabh Doshi is Director of Enter- their content as well as help build Vietnam’s Next Top Model. produced, and how they distribute it. tainment Partnerships at Facebook digital revenue streams – through our We know that people want to With tools such as Rights Manager Asia Pacific. + October-December 2020 7 TV Odyssey 2030: Lost in Diversity or Revenge of the Broadcasters?

The TV industry is undergoing funda- The surge in video-on- the digital platform companies and mental changes. Streaming services + distribute via their own channels, demand and mobile are no longer just platforms for the ‘ bypassing the platforms and estab- consumption of films and TV pro- Insight media consumption is lishing direct customer relationships. grammes, digital platform companies dramatically changing These global content owners will are investing in the production and negotiate directly with advertisers. licensing of globally successful own the TV and video industry. Today, the market Finally, advertising partnerships are original content – and are in direct is led by several drivers: Digitalisation, new established in the market, with spon- competition and in the crosshairs of soring and content marketing being the traditional TV and video players. innovation and disruption by the incumbent VoD the most important examples. At the same time, broadcasters players. Deloitte recently released a global study and media companies are launching Scenario 3 their own on-demand offerings, and predicting the future scenarios for the industry. The Revenge of the global content producers are also set- Raymond Tan delves into this report to learn Broadcasters ting up their own streaming services. how broadcasters and digital companies can play National broadcasters in many parts A Deloitte study on future scenar- of the world will be successful in their ios for the TV and video industry by critical roles in redefining the new TV world a digital transformation and remain the year 2030 discusses how on-de- decade from now. strong in the ecosystems. These mand video is changing consumer broadcasters will evolve into digital behaviour. A key starting point was platforms, establishing direct rela- that consumers expect relevant and traditional media companies. Net- extensive range of local, regional or tionship with customers and deliver attractive TV and video content that work neutrality remains. global content, differentiated by ex- content on-demand. can be accessed anytime, anywhere, clusive production and sports rights. They will be able to enter new and in the format that best suits their Four market scenarios In this scenario, regulators will not services such as targeted advertis- immediate needs. While envisioning the evolution of significantly monitor and control the ing and recommendation functions the industry, Deliotte brings up four digital platform companies’ market which were previously the domain of What’s driving TV’s future scenarios in which the market may strength. Although the market is the digital platform companies. Deloitte characterises the future pan out: consolidated, access to local content The high relevance of local con- developments in several key areas. is widely regarded as guaranteed. tent and local audience will put the Digitalisation is fundamentally Scenario 1 broadcasters in a superior market changing production processes and The Universal Supermarket Scenario 2 position, supported by regulatory the distribution of content. All-IP is Several global digital platform com- A Content End-game measures such as content quotas. becoming the standard for TV and panies will take over and lead in Content has become the main differ- video, and fast fibre-optic networks the aggregation and distribution of entiating factor in the video market, Scenario 4 and 5G will enable more flexible content from broadcasters. These while technologies such as distribu- Lost in Diversity and mobile consumption of media companies will control the TV and tion, search and recommendations Everything goes in this scenario. The content. These are being joined by video market and be involved in are commoditised. TV and video market will evolve into new, intelligent recommendation all the steps along the value chain, Large global content owners will a diverse ecosystem with no dom- functionalities based on AI and including the creation, aggregation win over local and regional provid- inant players. Instead, consumers analytics to entice consumers in a and distribution of content and the ers in the market transition. They are served by numerous distribution targeted way. direct customer relationships. will have integrated vertically along platforms, and be characterised by Video-on-demand is gaining Like large supermarkets, each the entire value chain and start to the richness of content and lead to ground on a broad front, but tradi- of the digital platform will offer an withdraw and withhold content from a steady turnover of players in the tional, linear television will still con- market. tinue to assert its role – especially in In all four scenarios, digital plat- the area of live content, such as sports form companies remain the major and major events. disruptors in the future TV and video TV and video advertising is adapt- market. By contrast, broadcasters ing to new formats and relying more and content producers are under the and more on the personalisation of greatest pressure to change. advertising content. The analysis Broadcasters and content proof user data makes it possible to ducers can no longer rely on their optimise ads and content, increase current market positions. To safe- the benefit for potential customers, guard their business models and and ultimately to win them over as future revenue streams, they need to consumers. A caveat is the extent be open to cooperation and alliances, to which this will happen, however, even with their direct competitors. depends on the willingness of con- Established broadcasters and sumers to hand over their data. content producers must continuously Market regulation in the media invest in their technological skills. industry will be more moderate Technology has become a core ele- than it is today. In the area of online ment of their business processes, and Content will remain king. Can OTT providers Netflix continue to win the market by and mobile services, this will reduce controlling the content and customer relationships, or can broadcasters reinvent mastering them is a prerequisite to the regulatory pressure on all mar- themselves and strike back by mimicking the successful practices of digital platform being well positioned in an increas- ket participants, especially on the companies of today? ingly digital video market landscape. + 8 October-December 2020 Malaysia’s Merdeka Race a halo for AJA HELO

The annual Merdeka Race sped off at cially important, as it marked the first the Sepang International Circuit on local return of sports since the start Malaysia’s Independence day, August of the Covid-19 pandemic,” shared 31. With more than 100,000 viewers Blonde Robot’s Territory Manager, garnered across the globe, the keenly Azrina Jane Abdullah. watched race was streamed live with “With the competition closed the support of AJA HELO H.264 to spectators, the event organisers streaming, encoding and recording wanted to ensure audiences could devices. tune into every second online, which Due to the pandemic, fans across meant streaming full coverage of the the world were inhibited from travel- event via Facebook Live, in addition The annual Merdeka Race on Malaysia’s Independence day was streamed live with the support of AJA HELO H.264 streaming, encoding and recording devices. ling to the circuit for the live action; to highlights shared on local chan- thus, Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF), nels, and HELO proved the perfect of the combined feed was then sent Given limited bandwidth,the the event organiser, enlisted pro- tool for the job.” through AJA HELO and encoded to footage was then redistributed to duction services providers, TWMR TWMR provided an OB truck H.264 at 1080p 25fps and distributed other content delivery networks with Productions and Blonde Robot, to outfitted with a host of equipment in- to Facebook Live. help from the Restream.io service. produce and deliver comprehensive cluding a combination of traditional Deploying HELO’s intuitive web- Apart from supporting encoding coverage of the two-day event via and RF cameras, which captured HD based user interface, the operator and live streaming for the event, AJA local satellite TV channel Astro Arena, footages of the event that was dis- was able to control the device and HELO also allowed TWMR and the as well as a Facebook Live stream. tributed via fibre or RF to a produc- monitor the feed for the event or- event organiser MSF to record the “Merdeka only takes place once tion switcher. Upon mixing graphics ganisers from a laptop stationed at event for archival and on-demand a year, and this year’s race was espe- overlays with audio, a 1080i output a safe distance from others on-site. viewing purposes. Some members have transformed to serve changing market needs 81 ❝ were already steadily under way for Our industry is driven by consumers’ demand some years. challenging times, and we moved for content, and this will continue to increase. The Indeed, technology absolute- quickly to create a Virtual Platform future looks bright for those companies – both tech ly has become just an enabler of – and this turned out to be hugely business – and that business has successful in helping our members suppliers and users – that are helping to deliver been moving rapidly into the digital communicate as well as putting them content more efficiently and effectively.❞ domain, so perhaps we should be re- in front of technology buyers. writing our message to ‘Adopt or Die’! With no physical shows likely — Peter White, to happen any time soon, we also Chairman of the International Trade Association for the Will the changes you mentioned, moved to create a virtual substitute Broadcast & Media Industry (IABM) for example, remote communi- in the form of the BaM Slider, an in- cation, decentralised worksites, tuitive Virtual Technology Tour that Many of your members are SMEs class Business Intelligence reports DTC platforms and ‘as-a-service’ enables buyers and users of broad- hit hard by the coronavirus. How offering actionable insights that can business models, become the cast and media technology to quickly is IABM supporting them and help them fine-tune their marketing norm in 2021? scan all IABM member companies’ helping them to navigate these strategies. White: I think it is inevitable that all latest innovations and simply ‘slide difficult times? the changes mentioned will accel- right’ to save the ones they want to White: Some of our members have IABM’s call for companies to erate in 2021 and become the new follow up on. been hit hard, while others have ‘Adapt or Die’ couldn’t be more normal. These are hugely significant IABM has curated the highly suc- thrived in the pandemic. It’s not just timely. Do you think the business changes – fundamental ones – and cessful Future Trends Theatre at IBC a matter of scale, but of how they imperative is now even more the industry won’t be rowing back for the past few years, and we have have transformed themselves to serve pressing, and to stay viable, the to its old ways post-pandemic, when- taken this online in the form of the changing market needs – for exam- broadcast and media industry ever that is. Future Trends Channel, which is cur- ple, in areas such as remote working, must embrace digital adoption rently running a packed programme SaaS, IP and cloud as well as keeping and transform their business more How sanguine are you on the busi- of live and recorded content online, abreast of new technology, oper- quickly than ever? ness outlook for 2021 and beyond? so that everyone in the industry has ational and business requirements. White: We first coined ‘Adapt or Die’ White: Our industry is driven by con- the opportunity to explore up-and- We will continue to support at our 2014 Annual Conference! As sumers’ demand for content, and this coming technology and business them through our hugely expanded discussed above, all the rapid shifts will continue to increase. The future trends and how they will segue from virtual activities as well as continue we are now seeing are merely a highly looks bright for those companies – today’s environment. to deliver our wide range of world- accelerated version of transitions that both tech suppliers and users – that are helping to deliver content more + efficiently and effectively. APB PANELLISTS Content offerings will ultimately be enhanced by the changes we are going through. For example, the combination of IP, cloud and remote working will enable lower-tier sporting events to be cost-effectively covered, thanks to innovations that have been accelerated during the current pandemic. Stan Moote Andrew Anderson Michael Cronk Graham Stephens Goh Kim Soon Shad Hashmi CTO Head of Broadcast Chairman CTO Senior Vice-President Vice-President, In summary, while some of us face IABM Operations Alliance for IP Media Media City Broadcast Engineering Digital Development, tough times adapting in the short- to Seven Network Solutions (AIMS) Development, Malaysia Mediacorp Global Markets & Operations, medium-term, our industry still has a (Operations) Ltd BBC Worldwide Asia– healthy future.

+ 10 October-December 2020 Outlook 2021: What’s the prognosis for M&E industry?

It has been a challenging 10 months for the Jeffery Liu, President of Huawei Asia Pacific: broadcast, media and entertainment industry, ❝While the immediate impact of Covid-19 with the pandemic negatively impacting revenues, resulted in a slowdown of day-to-day business activities as organisations adjusted, the ongoing shutting down and delaying production, and forcing pandemic and social distancing requirements the cancellation of trade shows. How has Covid-19 have accelerated the demand for high-bandwidth affected companies and their planning; and how services and applications. Shifting to the new should the industry be positioning themselves to normal requires greater reliance on sophisticated grow again? communications services that include video conferencing, online APB+ speaks with several key leaders and education, remote collaboration, and cloud services. The demand influencers to share their perspectives, outlook and for such services is expected to continue well into 2021 as many priorities for 2021. organisations incorporate this new normal into standard business practices. In addition to meeting the current demand, new ICT Tham Loke Kheng, technologies including 5G, IoT, cloud, big data and AI will be Chief Executive Officer, MediaCorp: ❝ critical for economic recovery as a foundation that can eliminate Virtually no industry has been spared unnecessary borders and enable a fully connected, intelligent the impact of the pandemic, and it world with country’s own digital sovereignty. We expect 2021 to will not be business as usual going be a year with accelerated deployments of new ICT technologies forward. However, while we have seen as organisations recalibrate their business models around a more many challenges, for example, having digital centric economy.❞ to navigate obstacles to production, we have also been able to identify new opportunities, such as Chang Long Jong, CEO, MM2Asia: delivering superior performance marketing with engaging ❝2021 is likely to be a year of recovery, shoppertainment through our collaboration with Lazada, reinvention and transformation. as well as pushing the boundaries of property marketing Businesses should expect the unexpected in a by partnering PropNex and 99.co. post-pandemic world. Video streaming services, To thrive in a new post-Covid landscape, we need to including OTT and live streaming, have thrived be a lot more bold and inventive in creating new business amidst the pandemic outbreaks and should models to better serve our customers. One way we have continue their high growth trajectories, fuelling done this is to build on our existing Player for Publishers strong demands for original content; and this is good news for partnership with YouTube to establish Bloomr.SG MCN, content creators and producers. Singapore’s first local multi-channel network, as a new way Sectors that traditionally drive values by attracting large crowds of identifying and incubating talent for our digital and and physical human interactions, for example, live events and traditional platforms.❞ concerts, would want to build resilience against future pandemic outbreaks by developing capabilities in the creation of compelling Bruce Swail, CEO, GatesAir: virtual experiences to drive supplementary revenue streams. This ❝The biggest challenge of the pandemic should see a high concentration of VR/AR content innovations has been the lack of a reference point. aimed at providing such highly sought-after business solutions. We can’t go back to when something Another potential rising star in 2021 is eSports, which is like this last happened and enact a plan gaining widespread popularity and looks poised to join the super that worked before or review our lessons leagues of the sponsorship world.❞ learnt. We are categorised as an essential Jay Ganesan, SVP & Region Head, APAC, service in the US, which requires us to stay open. Broadcast MediaKind: networks are critical in times of crisis. We implemented a ❝As the entire world takes action to slow number of workplace health and safety measures, from the impact of Covid-19, the media and social distancing to cleaning and sanitisation protocols. technology industry has played a pivotal role in We require that everyone wear masks when not in disseminating news, information and knowledge. their personal offices, and we try to avoid face-to-face The new ‘stay-at-home’ culture has meant the meetings. MediaKind team has had to find new ways of These changes will likely remain in place moving working with our customers and industry partners. We continue to forward in 2021. Perhaps not quite to the degree we help our customers deliver the media experiences their audiences experience today, but there will be some continuing trends expect, more reliably and affordably. well after this is in our rearview mirror. The uptick of remote production, cloud and IP technology GatesAir’s business has done well throughout the adoption will continue to accelerate post-pandemic and shape pandemic, and we continue to receive orders, manufacture the future of our industry. Service providers will continue to look and ship equipment, and work closely with our customers at ways to reimagine viewing experiences for audiences with to solve problems. It’s not without its challenges, but we virtual events, 360° immersive viewing technology, and content are prepared to adjust to whatever changes we will face aggregation. These key trends will become the cornerstone areas ahead in the new year.❞ driving growth across the industry over the next 12 months.❞ + 11 October-December 2020 * Nicholas Morgan, Sales Director, APAC market, VSN: Outlook 2021: What’s the prognosis for M&E industry? ❝Although the wider industry has taken a big hit since the pandemic broke, VSN is reasonably Dr Javad Mottaghi, Secretary General, satisfied with how 2020 is going so far and Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union: we are also optimistic about what is yet to ❝Our industry is facing an unprecedented come in 2021. Our Q3 business has picked up transformation thrust upon us by Covid-19. pace and business opportunities are now back on track. This pandemic has changed the way people Like most companies, VSN had to adapt and work in a live, work, travel and communicate with each different and more focused way to maintain good customer other, but it hasn’t changed the responsibility contact and move projects forward, like coming up with a new of media to inform, educate and entertain their audiences – way to host our demos and PoC’s and give the customer the particularly, as audiences face an onslaught of fake news and experience of everyone being in the same (virtual) space, an misinformation. approach that has been hugely successful. For the VSN team, While the operating landscape next year is somewhat the workload actually increased during the toughest months shrouded, we know that we in the broadcast media industry of the pandemic and confinement period. To me, that has will thrive if we strategically adapt to the new normal and been the key to our success this year: The human factor, to evolve accordingly. At ABU, we listen carefully to the wishes keep on working to our best. of all ABU members and stay tuned to the types of difficulties For the media and entertainment industry, many of the they are facing. We pay close attention to members’ opinions solutions for remote working and decentralised teams are here and requests and we will strengthen our focus on delivering to stay. They have evolved from being just a ‘desired trend’ to becoming a real necessity; they have actually proved to be solutions, assistance and providing solidarity to them. very efficient. The ABU has been at the very heart of the challenges and In 2021, customers will no longer seek technological changes brought on by Covid-19. Not only have we acted as a solutions to be able to resume their pre-Covid-style operations clearing-house for solutions developed by members large and but instead will look to consolidate all these new ways of small, but the ABU Secretariat has itself trialled and refined new working.❞ ways of operating, including remote working, virtual meetings and purpose-built online training, to name a few. Scott Carroll, External Communications It will be crucial to strengthen cooperation and mutual Director, Vizrt Group: support amongst our members in the coming year. Since its ❝When suddenly faced with creating inception in 1964, the ABU has launched a great number of content while isolated at home, the projects and developed strong bonds among members in a constraints of traditional hardware became wide variety of areas. In 2021, the ABU will dig even deeper to glaringly apparent. The pandemic is strengthen these bonds and ensure members receive the support accelerating the adoption of software, and services they need to thrive in these uncertain times.❞ computers and networks as the primary means of production. One unforeseen outcome involves fail-over redundancy. Scott Murray, Senior Vice-President of Literally none of the redundant second systems ready to go Marketing, Telestream: in case of catastrophe were deployable when the pandemic ❝In 2020, remote working has taken on new forced broadcasters to stay at home. importance for broadcast and media facilities Software, computers and networks enable storytellers to of many different sizes and scales. It is being move, scale and adapt as needed. This opens doors to deploy driven by external forces, such as Covid-19, new and operate production tools from anywhere, and to deliver production tools from basic to sophisticated, content to any screen your viewers choose.❞ and new policies and processes which encompass remote working and disaster recovery for media companies of all sizes Yew Weng Soo, Spokesperson, SES: ❝ and scales.❞ It’s unfortunate but Covid-19 is not going away anytime soon. People will continue to spend time at home, and the increase in Takuma Wada, Head of Content Solutions screen-time on news and entertainment we Marketing, Professional Solutions, have seen in recent months is likely to stay. In Sony Hong Kong: fact, screen-time consumption may go up as ❝Covid-19 has impacted our industry. Many sports events are slowly coming back now but keeping their of the changes we are witnessing were already fans at bay and at home. happening but have now been accelerated. It’s probably more important than ever for content owners With technological advancements such as IP, and broadcasters to think about how to bundle and distribute 5G, AI and the ability to deliver more and better pixels fuelling content across platforms, on multiple screens to reach the those changes, there is an increasing need to be faster, more widest possible audiences. agile, and more efficient now, and ultimately, create content Indeed, the onset of Covid-19 has led to most businesses that is more compelling and powerful. shifting to a remote working model, and the broadcast Although these are challenging times, they are also times for industry is no exception. Both of these factors have resulted great opportunity as the industry faces the new normal. Sony in an uptick in cloud-based video services as our video will continue to work alongside our customers to realise their customers are seeing the benefits of cloud-based solutions. creative vision, helping them to make the most of their ideas This trend is likely to continue on an accelerated path for the with our wide array of tools and solutions.❞ rest of 2020 and beyond.❞ 812 + 12 October-December 2020

11 8 Tom Loozen, EY Global Telecommunications Leader: IBC Showcase provides ❝5G will play a vital role in achieving the resilience demanded by the Covid-19 crisis, impetus for deep but providers need to ensure they sensitise offerings to a post-pandemic world. This requires providing a more customised service dialogue between to different industries and making sure 5G solutions deliver innovation in the shape of new use cases. To accelerate this drive, telcos need to frame 5G within vendors and customers PHOTO CREDIT: IBC a wider roadmap of digital transformation, making sure it’s During the first week of ❝IBC was part of an integrated approach to the adoption of emerging launch, IBC Showcase created to technologies. In this context, it is no surprise that 78% of telcos 2020 was supported help the are currently rethinking digital transformation plans, according by more than 1,000 industry to our latest study. exhibitors and garnered 20,000 attendees to its virtual ses- connect, In tandem, 5G providers must also position themselves as sions. The virtual event ran from Sep- collaborate, trusted partners that deliver tangible business outcomes, leading tember 8-11 and directly generated share ideas an ecosystem of suppliers that can deliver end-to-end solutions.❞ over 8,000 leads through a series and drive of live exhibitor presentations and Sachin Tonk, Director Data, Advanced workflow tours. sales. This is at the heart of Analytics & Privacy, Standard Chartered: Visitors “joined” the event from our continuing commitment ❝As a result of Covid-19, media is 120 countries, including almost a to the industry, now increasingly becoming digital, and the key third (31%) at C-suite, VP, EVP and delivered through a hybrid director level. IBC launched the challenge in 2021 for media houses is how to of live and virtual events. showcase as part of its ongoing com- We will continue to evolve create a more personalised user experience. mitment to connecting the industry Media houses will need to leverage and driving sales leads, innovation our virtual offering and I am data and technology to deliver a personal and customised and collaboration. excited that IBC Showcase experience. Digital Avatars could be one such tool to achieve IBC also reveals that bookings for will be an ongoing platform, this. Just imagine that the end-user is delivered the news by IBC 2021 are in line with the same building on the success of level in previous years, with 50% of the week’s response.❞ his favourite sportsman or actor/actress using 3D effects. All space expected to be reserved in the this and more will be possible using data, AI and ML. next few weeks. — Michael Crimp, Online streaming should also continue to see a significant “IBC was created to help the Chief Executive, IBC jump in terms of demand, and this will enable companies to industry connect, collaborate, share leverage the historical data to gain competitive advantage ideas and drive sales. This is at the and other vendors helps to drive in- through predictive content recommendations to users. heart of our continuing commit- novation, providing the opportunity 5G will be a game changer in 2021, enabling companies to ment to the industry, now delivered to cross-pollinate and share ideas. through a hybrid of live and virtual leverage data more efficiently to explore new possibilities such “IBC Showcase ensured that we events,” said Michael Crimp, Chief can all continue to move forward as ad insertion, cashing and high-quality content delivery. Executive of IBC. “We will continue to through this challenging time.” We should also see more cross-industry collaboration evolve our virtual offering and I am IBC Showcase 2020 saw eight, between telecom and broadcasting companies to manage excited that IBC Showcase will be an fast-track proof-of-concept R&D and promote exclusive content as well as to leverage data ongoing platform, building on the projects being unveiled. The IBC2020 to commoditise AR and VR that will create new business success of the week’s response.” Accelerators programme brought opportunities.❞ IBC Showcase offered a combina- together 62 organisations to collab- tion of live sessions and on-demand orate on many of the hottest business content throughout 2020. Continuing and technology opportunities. Ali Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism under the theme of “Empowering The results included a live 5G and Marketing, Department of Culture and Content Everywhere”, another three remote production, an interactive live Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi): sessions ran from October 15-22, music talent show, AI-assisted crea- ❝For major live sporting events to resume bringing together leading innovators tion as well as streamlined animation and continue in the midst of the ongoing including Comcast, Fastly, Gracenote production. and Vast Data, offering insights and IBC also announced that its Early pandemic, we all need to adapt and optimise debates on key industry topics and Bird booking rate for IBC 2021 has the blend of technology and infrastructure trends, thereby providing the impetus been extended and its new easy- – we recognise the need for malleability and innovation as we for deeper conversations between to-use, self-service booking system work with regulators and partners to provide a safe space for vendors and customers. allows exhibitors to select space live events and broadcasts. Danna Mann, Director Marketing requirements and promotional ac- In July, UFC held its two-week Fight Island on Abu Dhabi’s Operations and Events, TAG VS, said: tivity to maximise their return on Yas Island, where an 11km ‘safe zone’ was purpose-built for “Connecting with customers, partners investment. this event. This was made possible through close collaboration PHOTO CREDIT: IBC between public and private stakeholders in Abu Dhabi, with organisations across a wide range of sectors from health to travel coming together to deliver a world-class event experience amid a global pandemic and enable fans around the world to watch live sporting events. The success of the first edition of UFC Fight Island made it possible to host the event once again in September.❞ IBC Showcase 2020 is a video content platform that includes exhibitors’ product demo.

+ 14 October-December 2020 Deploy 3Cs to ward off the coronavirus & Magewell launches 12G-SDI 4K SDI Plus shore up the success of Magewell, a video software and hardware developer, has launched a plug-and-play Pro Convert 12G SDI Plus that ingests video up to 4K remote productions at 60fps over a single-link, 12Gbps SDI interface and converts it to full NDI streams with lower latency. The encoder supports up to 16 channels With coronavirus wreaking havoc around the world, production of embedded audio while automatic houses and broadcasters are forced to digitise their production input format detection and DHCP- based network configuration quickly. And as remote working becomes the norm, how should eliminate the need for manual set-up. broadcasters and media operators adapt and ensure smooth workflow? What are the critical drivers that can underpin the New GB Labs continuity of remote production – collaboration, connectivity and platform to secure contribution? APB+ News Editor Lara Tan speaks to some remote working GB Labs, an innovator in intelligent solution providers for the answer … storage solutions for the media and entertainment industry, has ith the Covid-19 ❝Before Covid-19, launched Unify Hub, a platform pandemic still in- designed to meet challenges ducing lockdowns the shift to remote of today’s media production worldwide and re- environment. It combines on-premise production was moteW work becoming prevalent and cloud technologies to empower and, in some cases, permanent, the remote production while maintaining already under way; the broadcast industry is being forced data integrity and security. Unify Hub pandemic has simply manages storage on-site or in the to harness digital tools quickly to cloud – from GB Labs or from other continue and ensure smooth remote accelerated this trend vendors – to provide a working production of their daily news and environment which is simple and TV shows. with broadcasters being fast. Furthermore, it provides the Many journalists have trans- forced to adapt and find tools to maximise productivity from formed their homes to temporary production and post-production studios with makeshift tools such as new ways of working. artists. stacks of books as camera stands or In fact, in a recent poll of our APAC audience clipboards as teleprompters. Peter Maag, Chief Marketing during a technology update webinar, 83% of PANELLISTS Officer and EVP Strategic poll respondents said the Covid-19 pandemic Partnerships, Haivision, tells APB+: “Before Covid-19, the shift to remote has accelerated the IP transformation in their production was already under way; ❞ the pandemic has simply accelerated company. this trend with broadcasters being — Peter Maag, Chief Marketing Officer & Dr Ahmad Zaki forced to adapt and find new ways Mohd Salleh EVP Strategic Partnerships, Haivision of working. Group GM, Engineering Media Prima “In fact, in a recent poll of our APAC audience during a technology production flow. For instance, the strongly believe that this alone will update webinar, 83% of poll respond- video that is uploaded into the not build mission-critical perfor- ents said the Covid-19 pandemic has cloud by the cameraman has to mance that is required by clients accelerated the IP transformation in be accessible by the editor and the in the broadcast and production staff downstream to allow a smooth markets. Phan Tien Dung their company.” CTO Indeed, there are critical drivers transmission of workflow. “Therefore, finding the right Vietnam Digital Television that underpin the success of remote Takuma Wada, Head of Content balance between hardware, cloud production and they include colla- Creation Solutions Marketing, and on-premise processing is Sony’s boration, connectivity, contribution, Professional Solutions Company new endeavour and we look forward Mike Whittaker and storage. (PSAP), Sony Corporation of Hong to deep discussions with clients and EVP and CTO, Kong Limited, says: “With remote partners on this.” Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, n Collaboration is key to a working now becoming a standard, Maag adds: “Haivision’s ultra Fox Networks Group seamless workflow shareable and agile content is the de low-latency, broadcast-quality video Asia Multi-level access to media assets facto standard for any production. encoders, decoders and gateways are essential to ensure a seamless “However, at the same time, we power monitoring and return feeds + October-December 2020 15

❝We foresee the future as one where software-centric, IP-based production allows any broadcaster to deploy infrastructure anywhere – on-premises or in the cloud – control from anywhere on the network, and deliver to viewers via television, Internet and mobile.❞ — Scott Carroll, External Communications Director, Vizrt Group

The Vizrt Group provides cutting-edge visual storytelling tools for the new normal of remote working. ❝A range of streaming, IP, that extend workflows beyond the industry in this new normal, and we 12G-SDI and fibre solutions main facility to help talent, ope intend to do that through continued are critical for powering rators, producers and directors un innovation into softwaredefined derstand what’s going on and colla visual storytelling tools.” remote workflows for borate, regardless of their location. James Eddershaw, Managing broadcast production. “With such highquality and Director, Shotoku UK, adds: “As far lowlatency video feeds, operators as robotics go, it’s all about response Using sophisticated IP can even control production equip to input – that is, joystick or preset tools, including SMPTE ment either in the broadcast centre shot recall must happen smoothly or at event sites remotely.” and immediately. ST 2110, Dante for audio, Scott Carroll, External “Shotoku systems have always and streaming for lightly Communications Director at the included intelligent subsystems Vizrt Group, maintains that “remote distributed across the network – not compressed video enables teams to collaborate access to production tools is some relying on a centralised processing on projects from virtually any remote location thing we see sticking permanently”. ‘engine’. Carroll explains: “We foresee the “Furthermore, the use of offthe connected through the public internet and/or future as one where softwarecentric, shelf remote desktop solutions has managed LAN infrastructures.❞ IPbased production allows any been shown to work with Shotoku broadcaster to deploy infrastructure TRXT control systems making — Bryce Button, anywhere – onpremises or in the remote working a relatively simple Director of Product Marketing, AJA cloud – control from anywhere on step for broadcasters to implement the network, and deliver to viewers given network access.” via television, Internet and mobile. Noemi Greyzdorf, Product reduces latencies, flexibly scales, including SMPTE ST 2110, Dante “The Vizrt Group, which con Marketing Director, Quantum, and provides the highest stream for audio, and streaming for lightly sists of the Vizrt, NewTek and NDI opines the essentials of collaboration ing performance will significantly compressed video enables teams to brands, was created to lead the tools: “A versatile file system that contribute to broader collaboration collaborate on projects from virtu and efficiencies to deliver content ally any remote location connected on time. through the public Internet and/or ❝With remote working “For example, remote users can managed LAN infrastructures. now becoming a standard, see performance gains with a shared “Bringing equipment control file system that appears local, not as and configuration online, regard shareable and agile content is a remote NAS, which is especially less of its physical location, is an the de facto standard for any beneficial for large files and streams effort that companies like AJA – like video.” support with affordable products production. However, at the that enable remote workflows with same time, we strongly believe n Connectivity bridges the networkedbased control via builtin information gap web servers. that this alone will not build A strong and reliable connection “As productions begin to ramp mission-critical performance is the backbone of a successful up and personnel require physi remote production; thus, organisa cal distancing on set, integrating that is required by clients in tions ought to establish endtoend 12GSDI and fibre into production the broadcast and production markets. Therefore, connection between remote sites, workflows is critical for keeping a control centre and enddevice to op safe distance between staff working finding the right balance between hardware, timise workflow and ensure delivery on the equipment.” cloud and on-premise processing is Sony’s new of latencyfree video content. Maag concurs, saying: “Remote Bryce Button, Director of workflows rely on network connec endeavour and we look forward to deep discussions Product Marketing at AJA, explains: tivity and Haivision Hub is the per with clients and partners on this.❞ “A range of streaming, IP, 12GSDI fect solution to enable lowlatency, and fibre solutions are critical for highquality video routing globally — Takuma Wada, Head of Content Creation Solutions powering remote workflows for across the Azure network.” Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), broadcast production. Wada adds: “With an IPenabled Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited “Using sophisticated IP tools, ecosystem based on open standards, + 16 October-December 2020

it facilitates remote production with more agility, flexibility and cost efficiency. “This allows producers and media companies to work effectively and safely in tight spaces or work remotely, leveraging the best of the team’s expertise and creativity.” Carroll elaborates: “The future of broadcast production boils down Haivision’s Makito X4 video encoder Stream Sync technology makes it easy to synchronise incoming encoded video sources, enabling to three basics: Software, computers, broadcast engineers and producers to receive multiple live video and audio streams from a remote venue while maintaining sync for and networks. immediate use in live production workflows. “By their nature, these components enable remote production. audio streams from a remote venue Indeed, the pandemic has been an accelerator With robust application of all three, while maintaining sync for immedi- you can secure the healthy future of ate use in live production workflows. of digitalisation, but it is also an opportunity broadcasting. “By sending all of the multi-cam- for broadcasters to transform and position “These three components enable era feeds to the broadcast centre you to deploy your show-making for live production, broadcasters themselves as the next-gen media that creates tools anywhere you need them, allow dramatically reduce the amount of latency-free user experience. you to control them from wherever on-site personnel and equipment you are physically located, and let required.” you distribute content everywhere Eddershaw, introducing an ❝Handling large volumes of content has always your audience may be – via TV, the avant-garde technology, says: presented challenges to media organisations. Internet or to the mobile device.” “Shotoku will be part of that innovation through enabling more auto- And because of the nature of the work, creative n Contribution adds mation, thus requiring less human people need to collaborate on these video reliability to the intervention (remote or local). concoction “Our AutoFrame face tracking files, but now it’s remote. This has necessitated As more journalists and producers is a prime example – live on-air media companies and studios to rapidly modify work remotely, the central broad- adjustments to the camera position casters will receive multiple feeds can be made automatically without workflows, with production continuity being a of information from video to audio. the need for a dedicated operator at top priority. Remote creatives need the ability Therefore, it is essential that the any location. contribution network is efficiently “Remote support capability is to access and share video content in order to planned out to ensure synchroni- deliver completed projects.❞ sation of all the feeds during a live broadcast. — Noemi Greyzdorf, Product Marketing Director, Maag highlights to APB+: Quantum “Remote production necessarily relies on many different video, audio also an important requirement and “I expect these changes to have and data sources being received at our systems are being enhanced in a lasting impact. You can expect the central broadcast facility from this area too, so engineers are even Quantum offerings to evolve to the remote location, and assuring less likely to have to travel to a re- a more software-defined model, synchronisation between incoming mote site in case of problems.” bringing sophisticated file system streams is critical. technologies within reach of smaller “Haivision’s Makito X4 video n Storage made easy with environments. encoder Stream Sync technology Quantum “Work on remote-based produc- makes it easy to synchronise incom- With Shotoku’s AutoFrame face tracking, Due to the multiple footages and tion can be streamlined with tech- ing encoded video sources, enabling live on-air adjustments to the camera data received and processed, central position can be made automatically nologies that provide easy sharing of broadcast engineers and producers without the need for a dedicated operator broadcast facilities are faced with content to enhance the collaborative to receive multiple live video and at any location. impending storage issues. In view of process. the challenges faced, Quantum has “By utilising in-place infrastruc- a line of products that help broad- tures and avoiding major process ❝Shotoku will be part of [the avant-garde casters to manage and facilitate the changes, impact to users and the technology] through enabling more automation, archive process. entire production process is mini- Quantum’s Greyzdorf says: mised. thus requiring less human intervention (remote “Handling large volumes of content “Storage tiering can also be or local) ... Remote support capability is also has always presented challenges to implemented to help improve the media organisations. And because performance experience for remote an important requirement of the nature of the work, creative users. And for larger video archives, and our systems are being people need to collaborate on these object storage provides a cost- video files, but now it’s remote. effective storage pool that’s highly enhanced in this area too, so “This has necessitated media searchable and accessible.” engineers are even less likely companies and studios to rapidly Indeed, the pandemic has been modify workflows, with production an accelerator of digitalisation, but to have to travel to a remote continuity being a top priority. it is also an opportunity for broad- site in case of problems.❞ “Remote creatives need the abil- casters to transform and position ity to access and share video con- themselves as the next-gen media — James Eddershaw, tent in order to deliver completed that creates latency-free user expe- Managing Director, Shotoku UK projects. rience. MANAGEMENT October-December 2020 MANAGEMENT 17 DAI the vaccine to staunch ad haemorrhage

Kubernetes to the to enable broadcasters to rescue automatically during peak demands survive & thrive? Dalet, a leading media solutions provider, has enhanced Ooyala Flex Media Platform to enable end-users to meet sudden increase in global Covid-19 is a fast-acting catalyst for demand. The new feature includes under-the-hood Kubernetes digitalising the world. As media operators capabilities that automatically scale cloud computing use for proxy creation are losing revenues from traditional avenues and file movement, ensuring such as TV and print, it is important they customers optimise cloud efficacy while having the firepower to regain the loss from digital mediums with manage larger-than-normal surges in content volume whenever needed. the help of technologies. And as many in the broadcast industry are working KVM-over-IP offers furiously towards making dynamic targeted easy access to mass advertising a way to staunch the bleeding, storage devices KVM manufacturer Guntermann News Editor Lara Tan took it upon herself to & Drunck (G&D) has unveiled find out if Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) can be ControlCenter-IP, a high-performance matrix for KVM-over-IP, that includes ❝The trend in the vaccine that will arrest the haemorrhage. key functionalities such as the Her conclusion: “Die, die must DAI.” Indeed, integration of generic USB devices advertising spend has and high-speed USB 2.0 in KVM- as online video continues to capture a over-IP installations. With the been clearly downwards integration of generic USB devices greater proportion of audiences, the rigid ad into the ControlCenter-IP, users due to the economic can now connect to mass storage impact of the pandemic, break structures of traditional TV will have to devices easily. Operators can also change. Smart and adaptive ads will be the flexibly decide whether the matrix driving both advertisers should support HID (keyboard/ major trends in the coming year. mouse) or mass storage devices and and platforms to look define this accordingly from generic HID to generic USB (or vice versa) in for more effective ways the configuration interface. to reach their target confluence of issues is OTT delivery for broadcasters, as accelerating the adop- digital media consumption rose audiences. However, tion of dynamic ad in- during the current lockdowns. PANELLISTS the silver lining is that sertion (DAI) for the According to eMarketer, a digital deliveryA of digital advertisement to publication about marketing, there content consumption multi-screens. It can offer a wealth has been a drop in total ad spend, on digital platforms is of opportunities in tracking and pro- but a 2.4% growth for digital ad viding zero-disruptive ad insertion spending. Therefore, advertisers are Fintan Mc Kiernan on the rise, with more from live streams to OTT. following the shift in ‘eyeballs’ to CEO options than ever Conventionally, linear ad in- focus more on digital advertising. Ideal Systems sertion is disrupting the flow of Bea Alonso, Director of Product South-east Asia before. This is good the video content, which results in Marketing, Dalet, said: “With more news for advertisers, the degradation of user experience. people consuming content on- Moreover, linear ad insertion could demand and on mobile devices, Patrick So who have a wider not keep up with multi-screen de- there’s been a seismic shift in ad- Regional Manager livery and impacts the tracking of spend from linear TV to digital over Asia Pacific range of options and Magna Systems & return on investment for media and the past few months. Engineering price points, with brands. “The trend in advertising spend the ability to truly Hence, broadcasters and media has been clearly downwards due to operators are on the hunt for the the economic impact of the pan- target and personalise bespoke solution for non-linear ad demic, driving both advertisers and insertion. However, they are faced platforms to look for more effective Craig Johnson campaigns.❞ Managing Director - with complex metadata requirement ways to reach their target audiences. Media — Bea Alonso, for multi-platform delivery. “However, the silver lining is Nielsen Director of Product The coronavirus pandemic has that content consumption on digital Marketing, Dalet also increased the momentum of platforms is on the rise, with more + 18 MANAGEMENT October-December 2020

❝There’s a lot of interest we had a long list of requirements uses AWS Elemental MediaLive for the right solution and AWS to process video for more than around ad replacement in MediaTailor hit all the marks. It 80 live channels, AWS Elemental live streams. The ability to allows us to easily scale our infra- MediaConvert to transcode hun- structure to meet the demands of dreds of hours of video, and AWS replace traditional broadcast millions of users, capture and report Elemental MediaPackage to perform ad breaks with more targeted ad metrics, and quickly integrate just-in-time packaging for more with multiple CDNs and third-party than 20 of its channels, ensuring the ads, therefore increasing services,” said Tushar Vohra, Head content stream format aligns with monetisation of those breaks, of Technology, ZEE5. “Deploying the end-viewing device. it with our existing VoD and live is hugely beneficial. This is linear set-up was so simple, and now, DAI brings automation particularly true in the area of live sports.❞ each user can customise his or her to workflow and cost experience.” efficiency for media — Luke Durham, CTO, Switch Media ZEE5 relies on AWS Elemental operators MediaTailor to bring viewers per- Apart from its ability to scale and fit options than ever before. This is “The client-side SDK allows the sonalised ads across live and on- into the new digital landscape, DAI good news for advertisers, who have player to interact and manage track- demand video streams while main- can also be automated to enable end- a wider range of options and price ing beacons. taining broadcast-level quality, with to-end ad management, conversion points, with the ability to truly target “This means that the video player more than 3,000 transactions per and delivery. This results in reduc- and personalise campaigns.” is responsible for sending the nec- second (TPS) supported at traffic tion of manual inputs and instill essary tracking information back to peaks to date. The service also efficiency in workflow. Can DAI be a one-size-fit- the ad servers using the Video Ad all solution? Serving Template (VAST) protocol.” ❝To ensure viewer Dynamic ad insertion can play a As content owners are constantly pivotal role in supporting broad- looking for ways to reduce cost and interest the relevance of casters transitioning from linear complexity while adapting to the ads inserted targeted to to non-linear ad insertion. DAI is evolving OTT landscape, Switch indeed a technology that promises Media has also developed MediaHQ the user demographic to personalise ad for multi-screen Lite: a fast-to-market online video and device are critical, delivery and enables cloud-based solution that provides all the essen- processing, big data, and behavioural tial capabilities and features, com- understanding the target analytics. plete with applications and the ability audience is a key factor Working from the server side to monetise seamlessly, without the ad insertion (SSAI), DAI enables complexity and overheads. in ensuring advertising media operators to insert video It features smart off-the-shelf impact, for this tight advertising elements into their var- solution including DAI; secure ious programmes: live, linear and VoD and live streaming with DRM; integration with analytics video-on-demand (VoD) content. a global CDN service; real-time systems is also a really important piece of the Luke Durham, CTO, Switch analytics reports; comprehensive Media, told APB+: “There’s a lot of metadata; high-definition ABR en- puzzle.❞ interest around ad replacement in coding; and a range of ready-to-go — Karl Mehring, Senior Director live streams. The ability to replace applications across every screen. Product Management of Playout, Grass Valley traditional broadcast ad breaks with Durham continues: “MediaHQ more targeted ads, therefore increas- Lite allows companies of all sizes the ing monetisation of those breaks, is opportunity to significantly extend hugely beneficial. This is particularly their reach and revenue generation. true in the area of live sports. Furthermore, the considerably re- “Switch Media is working closely duced operational resources enables with businesses as they transition to easy adaption to the ever-changing DAI. With so much fragmentation online video landscape and consum- across devices, the ability to lever- er expectations.” age a client-side tracking software Karl Mehring, Senior Director development kit (SDK) is important. Product Management of Grass “Switch Media’s DAI technol- Valley’s Playout, adds: “To ensure ogy – AdEase, which is part of our viewer interest, the relevance of MediaHQ online video platform, in- ads inserted targeted to the user cludes a client-side SDK that enables demographic and device is critical, addressable personalised advertising understanding the target audience is for live and on-demand content a key factor in ensuring advertising ❝When looking to launch SSAI, we had a long list across individual and household impact, for this tight integration connected devices.” with analytics systems is also a really of requirements for the right solution and AWS “It’s essential that DAI providers important piece of the puzzle.” MediaTailor hit all the marks. It allows us to easily ensure measurement of video im- In 2020, ZEE5 India has also lev- pressions, which in turn translates eraged solutions from Amazon Web scale our infrastructure to meet the demands of back to the metric by which adver- Services (AWS) Media Services, in- millions of users, capture and report ad metrics, tisers pay. cluding AWS Elemental MediaTailor, “Client-side tracking is facilitated which is used for SSAI and delivered and quickly integrate with multiple CDNs and via an SDK, which has capabilities more than 100 million programmatic third-party service.❞ implemented to ensure that ads are ads across more than 18 live channels. not blocked. “When looking to launch SSAI, — Tushar Vohra, Head of Technology, ZEE5 + October-December 2020 MANAGEMENT 19

❝The main solution that we Covid-19 is a catalyst for digitalising the world. consider critical is a good Although media operators are losing revenues Broadcast Management from traditional avenues such as TV and print, it System (BMS) for content is important that we regain the loss from digital and advertising scheduling. media with the help of technologies. More specifically, it should important that we regain the loss “Cloud-based content supply be a system that offers the from digital media with the help of chains have great potential to facil- possibility of automating technologies. itate collaborative workflows in the Alonso highlights: “In 2020, preparation and delivery of adver- the ad insertion process in we are seeing how the advertising tising content. linear and non-linear channels at the same time industry is gradually waking up to “Finally, with AI/ML-driven the financial benefits of the cloud recommendation engines that can and from a single web interface – in order to to simplify the delivery of hundreds deliver targeted advertising based manage and schedule our advertising when and of ad versions worldwide and make on individual OTT viewers’ prefer- addressable TV advertising, both ences, technology is set to transform where we want, regardless of the device or browser linear and OTT, a realistic goal. the way advertising is delivered and that we use for it.❞ “We are constantly seeing in- consumed.” novative approaches to targeted Durham says: “In a pre-Covid — Sasha Lee, Sales Manager, APAC, VSN advertising, either embedded in the and post-Covid world, the ability content (as Hulu is doing for binge to execute data-driven campaigns Alonso explains: “A well-planned “The great demand and accept- watchers), via recommendation in an environment that supports approach to automation can help ance these features had so far serves engines based on online consump- measurement enables advertisers to reduce overheads when it comes to as a confirmation. tion, regional and local advertising think very differently about engaging preparing and delivering advertising, “In fact, regarding ad insertion, through TV subscriptions and view- their target audiences. both in linear and OTT environ- we are currently working to auto- er preferences, and more. “As online video continues to ments. mate it as much as possible, allowing, “This is just the tip of the iceberg capture a greater proportion of audi- “Workflow orchestration that for example, that while a user is in an industry that, as many, has ences, the rigid ad break structures of manages ingest and packaging registering an advertising contract in accelerated its evolution due to the traditional television will change in seamlessly, that can map complex the BMS system, ads can be sched- viewing changes introduced by the accordance. Advertisers will gain ad- metadata requirements for multi- uled automatically for our linear or pandemic. ditional choice around length of ads, platform delivery and that reduc- non-linear channels, based on the duration of ad break and, of course, es manual bottlenecks can bring rules and prices set on the contract. the choice of audiences to target.” considerable cost and time savings, “Likewise, the billing and analyt- Lee concludes with a futuristic optimising the ad-spend-to-audi- ics reports are also generated auto- view of smart ads: “As AVoD rises ence-delivery ratio. matically with just a simple contract and consolidates, smart and adaptive “Additionally, this is where the registration or ad broadcast. ads will still be the major trends in Interoperable Mastering Format “This way, users are able to the years to come. (IMF) is proven to reduce the time schedule ad insertion in the long- “Shorter, more direct and above spent in content preparation by as term without forgetting about other all, customised to each user’s pref- much as 25%. IMF is designed to relevant aspects such as the profita- erences and ready to be displayed simplify and standardize the world bility of those ads according to the in any kind of device and platform of multi-platform, multilingual, broadcast time slot and price.” (mobile, OTT, VoD and so on). multi-resolution delivery, helping Julian Fernandez-Campon, CTO Insertions based on time are losing facilities required to distribute many of Tedial, concludes that automa- their traditional relevance as AI profiles and versions with reliable tion is key with Tedial’s Evolution has now taken the spotlight when interoperability, so its adoption for Version Factory – a single, efficient it comes to show ads on the fly advertising content is ramping up.” and cost-effective workflow that based on the viewer’s predilections, Sasha Lee, Sales Manager of VSN supports millions of file inputs, Julian Fernandez- registering and choosing them via in APAC, adds: “The main solution transforming them to delivery con- analytics’ feedback. that we consider critical is a good figurations, ready to be distributed Campon, CTO of Tedial: “Additionally, the technology Broadcast Management System to online platforms from a single Automation is key behind Smart Ads is improving as (BMS) for content and advertising operator screen. It uses the IMF revenues from digital platforms grow scheduling. standard CPL and OPL to define with Tedial’s Evolution bigger and new players enter the “More specifically, it should be a components (Composition PlayList) Version Factory – a field (such as HBO), and it is to be system that offers the possibility of and transformations (Output Profile expected that its focused efficiency automating the ad insertion process List). This enables all components single, efficient and expands to other industries, namely in linear and non-linear channels to be received and assembled to cost-effective workflow video games, where it is already pret- at the same time and from a single produce the final deliverable based that supports millions of ty well established on mobile gaming web interface – in order to manage on destination. (mostly free-to-play platforms) and and schedule our advertising when file inputs, transforming through audio insertions in podcasts and where we want, regardless of the How will ad insertion them to delivery as well. device or browser that we use for it techniques evolve in the “Only very restrictive legislation “These are the main principles post-Covid world? configurations, ready to concerning private data could some- that guide the product development Covid-19 is a catalyst for digitalising be distributed to online how damage these trends, which of our own BM system, VSNCrea, and the world. Although media operators platforms from a single should maintain their speed towards we sincerely believe that we are on the are losing revenues from traditional massive adoption in the years to right path of product development. avenues such as TV and print, it is operator screen. come.” + 20 MANAGEMENT October-December 2020

SPONSORED FEATURE .YES!, SI Media’s multi-platform, multi-database end-to-end solution empowers public agencies in Asia

fter successful installations at Television Nacional de AUruguay (TNU), Al-Qabas in Kuwait, and TeleAruba on the island of Aruba, and despite the critical health and economic situations that so many countries are facing this year, SI Media recently expanded it’s customer base, this time in Thailand. Thai systems integrator Centralnics worked in close partnership with SI Media to provide all the hardware infrastructure (backend servers, clients, networking and storage from GB Labs) deploying the media asset management platform based on .YES! for a Thai public agency. .YES!, SI Media’s ultimate user- friendly end-to-end solution, is multi- platform and multi-database. It works on Windows, Linux and Mac, and runs under any database management fully supports artificial intelligence system including Oracle, MySQL, (AI), performing speech-to-text, Microsoft SQL Server and MariaDB. cross-language auto-translation of It is also the latest web-based and metadata, visual analysis, recognis- cloud-oriented release of the globally ing inappropriate material including popular SI Media suite of news, auto- explicit visual or prohibited content. mation and broadcast management The integration with major AI systems. service providers (Google-Cloud, From a unique HTML5 web-based Amazon-AWS, Microsoft-Azure) en- client interface, users can manage sures automatic metadata detection, recording sessions and acquisition improving the efficiency and accura- of new content, full control of media cy during ingest and advanced search asset management (MAM), BMS, capability within the MAM system. NRCS, continuity playout and studio There are many SI Media install- contribution. The introduction of .YES! marks a change of ations in Asia. At Aruji (Tokyo), the sys- .YES!Automation is designed to pace towards modernising the process of tem is composed of 32 fully mirrored work seamlessly in the IT environ- main channels based on IT technologies ment using video server-branded archiving and managing the workflow. importing and integrating the play- solutions and embracing off-the-shelf lists from local software applications. mixed platforms and hardware. The organise its digital archive, updated group rights. In addition, the UI of SI Media has also deployed a full complete suite can be virtualised in daily with video files and aggregating .YES!MAM has been localised in Thai. automation system at TFC (Tokyo): it the cloud, public or private. the content made by its offices, which The introduction of .YES! marks needed to automate the 24/7 playout .YES! is the software platform with until recently, was based on paper a change of pace towards modern- for its four HD VoD channels. This individual components that manage copies and faxes. SI Media planned ising the process of archiving and installation includes four MediaPlay SD/HD/UHD/IP from scheduling the installation of the completely managing their workflow. The Thai main + four clone playout backups. through to playout and archive. It can redundant MAM, which is equipped public agency is already considering The whole system is based on IT serv- control a wide range of third-party with proxy, transcoder and quality a second phase to expand the plat- ers using AJA KONA4 boards. device hardware fully integrating check, and managing any type of vid- form by adding the SI Media NRCS Another client is Media Prima, with any NAS/DAS/SAN storage, and eo as well as the development of new module .YES!News, which provides Malaysia’s leading fully integrated with any tape-library up to LTO8 and features to ensure simplified man- online sharing capabilities on a vari- media group, which generates con- Sony ODA. It can also integrate third agement of all documents, scanned ety of websites and social platforms. tent for 23 daily TV news editions parties through REST API. and indexed within the system. Social media are a crucial aspect of over four channels of the Media .YES!MAM is fully integrated with The platform provided by SI the NRCS workflow. Prima TV News and social media pag- production and a wide variety of Media allows the Thai public agency .YES!News, with its wire aggre- es. More than 200 concurrent users professional NLE systems. A scalable to optimise videos and documents gator, can import content from any fuel the engine of this news factory embedded HTML5 panel for Adobe dynamically, adapting the format to source, such as agencies, RSS, APTN, by generating content from their PCs, Premiere Pro is available, while the many web clients. An important op- Facebook pages, Instagram or Twitter tablets and mobile phones. MAM supports import/export via EDL tion chosen by the Thai public agency accounts. Continued support of these and for several other major brands. is hierarchical access. Users login to The .YES! platform is modular other Asia-Pacific clients remains key The Thai public agency technical .YES!Web with unique credentials and customisable, providing the to SI Media’s ongoing success and committee selected .YES!MAM to based on specific individual rights or customer a high level of flexibility. It growth in the region. October-December 2020 +TELECOM & ICT 21 Hyper-scale computing: The heart of the new

Asia to be enterprise data-driven world data powerhouse The Asia-Pacific region is poised As data usage in the broadcast and media PB+: How do you see the to become an enterprise data market and ecosystem powerhouse with the highest industry grows, the demand for fast, seamless evolving for hyper-scale compounded annual growth rate A (CAGR) globally – 153% by 2024, a network connectivity continues to expand computing? Digital Realty study predicts. Four in the region as we become more digitally Jeremy Deutsch: The rapid growth cities in the top six for the Data of the digital economy has driven Gravity Intensity Metro forecast are interconnected. The development of new increasing demand for global con- from APAC, with Singapore coming nectivity and hybrid multi-cloud in first place with 200% CAGR technologies was traditionally led by telecom solutions. For years, the world’s larg- through 2024. This is followed by and private industries. However, hyper-scale est cloud service providers, includ- Hong Kong (2nd), Sydney (4th) and computing has radically changed the landscape; ing Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Tokyo (6th) The research comes as Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, the world readies itself for growth and it is on the ascendancy, with data centres Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and brought about by Industry 4.0 (or Google Cloud, have partnered with Fourth Industrial Revolution). now at the centre of the hyper data world, Equinix to connect to their business buoyed by video streaming, software-defined partners and customers. Google adds new networking, IoT, AR and AI applications. More than 9,800 customers tools to Chromecast APB+ connect with one another in these Managing Editor Raymond Tan consults dynamic communities inside our with key ICT players – Jeremy Deutsch, International Business Exchange data centres. Our platform now President of Equinix Asia-Pacific; Shweta spans 56 global metros and offers di- Jain, APAC Media & Entertainment Business rect interconnection to a vibrant ecosystem consisting of 1,800 network Development Manager at Amazon Web providers and more than 2,900 cloud Services; and Charles Sevior, Chief Technology and IT service providers globally. Equinix also recently completed Google has launched an updated Officer, Unstructured Data Solutions, Asia a US$1-billion-plus joint venture Chromecast device with a remote Pacific & Japan and Greater China, Dell control and a new Google TV with GIC, Singapore’s sovereign interface. The inclusion of a remote Technologies – to obtain their insights on wealth fund, to develop and operate controller is a long-requested xScale data centres in Europe. We feature which has historically been what’s driving hyper-scale computing in the also agreed to form another US$1- omitted from the streaming device APAC region and the opportunities that are billion-plus joint venture with GIC in the past. The remote comes with to develop and operate xScale data IR and Bluetooth, and buttons to becoming available. centre in Japan – two in Tokyo and control the TV and any attached one in Osaka. sound system. The new Chromecast has similar specs to the Chromecast Shweta Jain: Hyper-scale computing Ultra, with support for 4K HDR and is changing the media landscape in Dolby Vision. all areas, including direct-to-consumer content platforms. We are seeing platforms seamlessly scaling PANELLISTS their cloud infrastructure to support millions of concurrent consumers, which is critical in responding to increased demand as people increasingly consume content across a variety of channels. Chong Siew Loong Hotstar is an exciting example CTO StarHub of an OTT platform that scaled to support 25.3 million concurrent streams for the semi-final match of the Cricket World Cup in 2019, an example of hyper-scale computing. Equinix recently set up its fourth data centre in Tai Seng, Singapore. The facility can Meanwhile, content creators and Chang Long Jong accommodate more than 4,000 cabinets at full build, with a total co-location space of animation studios are scaling up and CEO, mm2Asia more than 132,180 sq ft. The seven-storey data centre, linked to Equinix’s three other IBX data centres on the island, will also connect 600 local companies on its network with down their compute requirements in more than 200 global networks. line with production needs, which in 22 TELECOM & ICT + + October-December 2020

❝Data centre facilities Jain: Media industry dynamics are to things like cloud services. As we constantly changing and technology cater to enterprises transitioning to need to maximise their buyers need the flexibility as well as hybrid-cloud architectures, we are capacity to take care the agility in order to respond to new well positioned to help customers opportunities while dramatically accelerate this already established of digital businesses’ reducing the time-to-market of their trend. increasing appetite services. Cloud technology is helping them do that exactly. Jain: While many media compa- for data traffic while Large broadcasters such as Astro nies were already in the process of maintaining sufficient Malaysia and TV Tokyo are migrat- migrating or evaluating cloud for ing archives containing thousands of their core workloads, Covid-19 has adaptability to enlarge hours of content to AWS to reduce accelerated digital transformation as data in the cloud costs, boost operational efficiencies, in the sector. Producers and editors and improve content discoverability are contending with the demand for grows. This, in turn, has with enriched meta-data generated more content, in addition to adapt- led to the rising trend of using machine learning (ML) and ing to new working arrangements. AI. Content studios are leveraging hyper-scaling as part of cloud-based virtual workstations for cloud as a service. The Sevior: The M&E industry contin- VFX, animation and video editing ues to fuel huge demand for local workflows. outbreak of Covid-19 and regional content. Viewers are In broadcasting, media com- has further accelerated demanding more content with a panies are moving their channel wider variety and increased quality playout workloads to the cloud to this shift, creating an environment that is – both in terms of production and in automate scaling and monitoring, outpacing businesses’ ability to digitally transform the quality and quantity of delivery. helping them streamline their oper- The pace of this demand continues ations for content delivery. and compete in an increasingly cloud-first world.❞ to grow, despite the influence of Amagi Media Labs, a next-gen — Jeremy Deutsch, President, globally dominant content delivery media tech company that provides platforms. Our customers are seek- cloud broadcast and streaming TV Equinix Asia-Pacific ing smarter technology that ena- solutions to TV networks, content bles more efficient operations with owners and streaming TV platforms, turn drives better cost efficiencies. visible disruption in their services. increased automation and simpler currently manages approximately Method Melbourne, the As a result, data centre facilities management. 350 channel feeds on the AWS plat- Australian branch of global visual need to maximise their capacity form, making it possible for content effects company Method Studios, is to take care of digital businesses’ What has been the impact of the owners to launch new channels – a using AWS Cloud solutions to create increasing appetite for data traffic pandemic on the industry? What process that used to take months the visual effects (VFX) shots for the while maintaining sufficient adapt- do you see changing? with traditional cable and satellite 2019 filmJumanji: The Next Level, ability to enlarge as data in the cloud Deutsch: The rapid shift to remote networks – in less than two weeks. scaling up its local render capacity grows. This, in turn, has led to the work and time spent at home has by four times. This cloud-based rising trend of hyper-scaling as part demonstrated the increasingly im- How are you growing your foot- approach to hyper-scale computing of cloud as a service. The outbreak portant role underlying infrastruc- print in the region? allowed artists to explore additional of Covid-19 has further accelerated ture plays for digital companies that Deutsch: We are constantly explor- creative iterations through faster this shift, creating an environment provide heavily consumed services ing avenues for expansion in line render times while helping the com- that is outpacing businesses’ ability in these circumstances. In these with customer needs and market pany control licensing costs. to digitally transform and compete times of crisis, it’s more important opportunities. In August, we an- in an increasingly cloud-first world. than ever for digital services to be nounced the intent to expand to Charles Sevior: The adoption of hy- In response to market demand, always-on and built to handle mas- India through the acquisition of per-scale computing, also known as Equinix formed a JV in Japan bring- sive spikes in traffic at global scale, the India operations of GPX Global the “public cloud”, has been growing ing facilities to Tokyo and Osaka. without sacrificing performance. Systems, Inc. This acquisition, which across many industry segments in- Japan is the third-largest economy It is likely that IT spending prior- is Equinix’s first step into the market, cluding the Media & Entertainment in the world and a significant hub ities may shift in the near term, from will add two new data centres in (M&E) industry. Dell Technologies for regional interconnection. traditional hardware and software Mumbai to Platform Equinix. is focused on advising and assisting customers and partners to leverage hyper-scale resources intelligently – ❝While many media companies were already by taking a data-first approach rather than a cloud-first mandate. in the process of migrating or evaluating cloud for their core workloads, Covid-19 has What do you see as the demand drivers and opportunities in the accelerated digital transformation in the sector. region? Producers and editors are contending with Deutsch: Cloud computing continues to dominate the technology the demand for more content, in addition space. The remarkable growth of this to adapting to new working arrangements. technology is predominately attrib- uted to factors like the evolution of Content studios are leveraging cloud-based the Internet of Things (IoT) and the virtual workstations for VFX, animation and progression of artificial intelligence ❞ (AI). With this, businesses are under video editing workflows. continuous pressure to distribute — Shweta Jain, APAC Media & Entertainment Business content and information without any Development Manager, AWS + October-December 2020 +TELECOM & ICT 23

What are hyper-scale data centres?

BY RACHEL TAN Importance of hyper-scale data hyper-data centres to be closer to end-users, in centres order to keep pace with the required bandwidth The definition of hyper-scale data centres varies An increase in enterprise workloads, content and and to ensure a stronger connection with less in accordance with different business definitions, data generated today contributes to a growing delay and less latency. with some based solely on the physical attributes demand for data storage, and the need to lev- With the increased interest from major cloud of the centre, while others are based on the “scale- erage new technologies with more effectiveness providers such as Google, AWS and Alibaba of-business criteria” that assess a company’s cloud, and efficiency. The need to handle high-volume to open cloud regions, the data centre market e-commerce and IT operations. traffic and heavy computing workloads also in South-east Asia is witnessing rapid growth. For instance, a data centre with at least 5,000 pushes businesses to go beyond their computer Currently, Equinix operates the largest hyper-scale servers and 10,000 sq ft of space is typically classi- rooms and private servers. data centre operation in Asia. fied as a hyper-scale centre. Where larger physical When it is no longer within the means of com- Singapore aims to be a major leading con- facilities and virtual capacities are required, en- panies to operate within their own IT solutions, nectivity hub in the South-east Asian region terprises are increasingly turning to cloud storage the hyper-data centre offers an alternative way with global cloud service providers continuing to and hyper-scale computing. around it, providing better technology capabilities expand their presence here. Facebook is planning Hyper-scale is the integration of hardware and with relatively lesser breakdowns. to build a hyper-scale data centre in Singapore by facilities with the purpose of scaling a distributed In line with the growing number of business- 2022. Zoom recently opened a data centre in the computing environment to thousands of servers, es expanding its operations in South-east Asia, republic, while BigGo, a rival to TikTok, is relocat- minimising costs and increasing performance. the recent boom in video sharing also demands ing all its servers from Hong Kong to Singapore..

Today, we operate 46 data centres ❝The data centre infrastructure used in the M&E across 13 metros in Asia-Pacific, including Australia, China, Hong industry is rapidly transforming from legacy fixed- Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea function dedicated hardware stacks to IT-based and Singapore. We have recently announced expansions in Hong software-defined platforms. The movement of Kong, and new builds in Japan and media content within organisations is changing Singapore. from SDI to all-IP. Content now sits within Jain: We have nine AWS Regions in secure, flexible cloud-neutral file and object Asia-Pacific to address the significant demand for cloud computing in storage. Increasingly, data centre functions are the region, and we continue to invest. being virtualised, which provides the benefits of New eEdge capabilities have been announced in India, with two new Edge flexibility, efficiency and business continuity.❞ locations for Amazon CloudFront — Charles Sevior, Chief Technology Officer, Unstructured Data Solutions, Asia Pacific & and AWS Direct Connect locations added in Hyderabad and New Delhi; Japan and Greater China, Dell Technologies and a new AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region announced for the end of becoming more modular and flexible sustainable development. co-location space, or on-premises 2021/early 2022, enabling customers to accommodate every level of need facility for a truly consistent hybrid to run workloads in Indonesia, and from the very largest (hyper-scale Jain: With significant changes to experience. serve millions of end-users across data centres) to the smallest edge consumer viewing patterns in recent For example, Fox Corp an- Asia-Pacific with even lower latency. requirements (edge data centre). times, media companies are realising nounced in December 2019 that Also, many of today’s organisations the need to be agile and responsive it will leverage AWS Outposts for Sevior: Dell Technologies believes understand that they need more to market changes. Moving media its on-premises video processing that the cloud is an operating mod- than just a place to store their data; workloads to the cloud gives these requirements. With advancements el, not a place. Our customers are they need a vendor-neutral platform companies a more flexible, scalable in networks and connectivity, we are seeking a wide range of technical that allows them to interconnect and infrastructure, and the ability to spin seeing an increasing number of me- solutions with flexible consumption succeed in the digital era. up new services more quickly. dia workflows running in the cloud. and financing models, and we are the Our software-defined intercon- For applications that have low only vendor equipped to deliver the nection services enable virtual inter- latency or local data processing Sevior: The data centre infrastruc- full breadth of these services. connection for customers located requirements, AWS announced ture used in the M&E industry is We are actively developing and anywhere, accelerating opportunities the global general availability of rapidly transforming from legacy marketing a range of flexible infra- for businesses looking to expand or AWS Outposts late last year, a fully fixed-function dedicated hardware structure services including deliv- enhance their footprints overseas. managed service that extends AWS stacks to IT-based software-defined ering storage solutions as a native We are also seeing the industry infrastructure, AWS services, APIs, platforms. The movement of me- cloud service, offering multi-cloud increasingly paying attention to and tools to virtually any data centre, dia content within organisations services through Cloud Service is changing from Serial Digital Provider partners, and providing Interface (SDI) to all-IP. private cloud solutions with full Data centre design is becoming more modular Content now sits within se- automation and DevOps control. and flexible to accommodate every level of cure, flexible cloud-neutral file and object storage. Increasingly, data Does the data centre infrastruc- need from the very largest (hyper-scale data centre functions are being virtual- ture need to change to meet future centres) to the smallest edge requirements ised, which provides the benefits of needs? flexibility, efficiency and business Deutsch: Data centre design is (edge data centre). continuity. 24 TELECOM & ICT + + October-December 2020 Convergence of mobile technologies and smart devices redefining in-home entertainment

mart Home is no longer a far- service providers (SPs) can increase fetched concept, as CommScope ARPU by offering differentiated ser- Soffers innovative, connected vices that consumers are willing to home solutions for broadband and pay for such as e-health, education, pay-TV service providers – satisfying home security, utilities management, customers’ demands for always-avail- entertainment management and able high-speed broadband, whole- productivity tools. home Wi-Fi, and video content. Just as the smartphone is be- As mobile standards and tech- coming a device that people cannot nologies – DOCSIS 4.0, 6GHz spec- live without, Cheevers said that SMD trum and Wi-Fi 6 – converge, the products – with their high-quality trio has ushered in a new era of audio experience, together with the home networks and entertainment. additional services they empower SPs CommScope is poised to equip ser- to create – “are set to transform the vice providers with next-generation traditional set-top into a much-loved technologies to improve user expe- device”. rience and increase service capability. 5G to home and within the home The advancement in Wi-Fi 6 and will grow in adoption and lead to the introduction of new spectrum the emergence of new-generation 6GHz, broadband speed can boost internal 5G repeaters or 5G femtocells performance up to 4x … and they are which can overcome and eliminate accelerating the huge performance concerns over congested broadband gains of in-house entertainment such networks when a full set of smart as VR/AR applications. Moreover, very controls are being used. importantly, the increased spectrum In addition, FWA (Fixed Wireless minimise dead spots at home while Access) solutions for 5G NR (New providing a superior wireless user Radio) across the sub-6GHz and experience. millimetre wave bands will also in- Furthermore, wireless connec- crease in popularity. There will be tivity requires lower latency to sup- more innovation around the ability port time-sensitive applications A Smart Home would not be complete to self-install FWA equipment on win- such as ulti mate gaming and VR/ dows to allow rapid overlay of FWA AR immersion. It also needs secure without Smart Media Devices that can services in MDU (multi-dwelling unit) deterministic connectivity to provide combine the functionality of the most and dense population areas. the platform for new home services While Wi-Fi will remain the that drive new business opportunities important gadgets in the connected predominant home-attached LAN and new levels of engagement with solution, more innovation will cen- subscribers. home to create a single touch point for tre on increasing the percentage of A Smart Home would not be consumers’ digital lives. time smartphone users tap into 5G complete without Smart Media versus LTE in the home for consum- Devices (SMD) that can combine the er satisfaction on 5G smartphone functionality of the most important and video conference, and remote SMD provides multiple functionalities purchases. gadgets in the connected home to control. to offer a true connected home expe- CommScope is well positioned to create a single touch point for con- This combination allows the rience to subscribers. Far-field voice enable service providers to meet the sumers’ digital lives. For instance, the device to offer a more personalised, command technology, compatible ever-increasing connection demands set-up of an all-in-one control from connected, and convenient way to with both Amazon Alexa and service for delivering exceptional broad- smart speaker, visual smart assistant, enjoy all the media, services, and provider voice control applications, band connections that offer instant, Internet-of-Things (IoT) hub, voice applications in the digital home. The delivers smart assistant services via always-available connections (wired the subscriber’s TV screen. or wireless) throughout the home. ❝The confluence of technologies such as The SMD also features a “The confluence of technologies high-quality connected speaker to such as DOCSIS 4.0, Wi-Fi 6 & 6E DOCSIS 4.0, Wi-Fi 6 & 6E and Visual Assistants deliver an enhanced audio experi- and Visual Assistants are allowing a ence that operates across entertain- range of new services to be realised. are allowing a range of new services to be ment, smart assistant and control Whether it’s 10Gbps access speeds, realised ... to improve the customer experience scenarios. Subscribers can also access more pervasive and powerful home IPTV and OTT services through the networks, or visual assistants – a and drive new levels of service capability for SMD. range of exciting trends are emerging Internet service providers.❞ Describing the benefits of SMD, to improve the customer experience Charles Cheevers, Chief Technology and drive new levels of service capa- — Charles Cheevers, Chief Technology Officer, Officer of CommScope, said that bility for Internet service providers,” CommScope by becoming a ‘super aggregator’, said Cheevers. DISTRIBUTION October-December 2020 DISTRIBUTION 25 DTC redefining content consumption in the

World’s first mobile stage truck post-Covid world

The media industry is undergoing a transformational shift with the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) models. With traditional pay-TV on the wane and more consumers turning to streaming for content,

Mark Roberts Motion Control, a can DTC become mainstream? Managing Editor Raymond Tan Nikon company, has unveiled the looks at the trends driving DTC adoption and finds out how DTC Polymotion Stage Truck – a mobile volumetric video capture (3D video) business models are evolving in the post-Covid era … technology, which it claims is the first in the world on wheels. Developed to support content-creation needs ew content distribution of broadcasters, sports personalities channels have emerged and creative agencies, the mobile over the years, acceler- platform is capable of shooting ated by the lower costs volumetric video, 3D stills and full ofN technology adoption, the rise of avatar creation. OTT and VoD and faster broadband speeds, leading to new media YouSat turns TV into players and content owners coming social media app into market. Due to the pandemic and forced YouSat Corp is launching a TV stay-at-home restrictions this year, channel that aims to redefine the these factors have dramatically alter- meaning of social media and TV, by ed viewing habits and the relation- turning TV into a social media app, and empowering users with new ship between networks and studios forms of user-generated content with their customers. that combines both satellite and the MediaKind recently collaborated with several partners to support the 2020 Chattanooga Internet. YouSat says the platform The state of the DTC market film festival in the US which delivered live and on demand content to an audience of showcases the “next evolutionary DTC players today comprises con- 30,000 viewers. MediaKind believes a DTC approach can offer better ways to monetise step in television consumerism”. The tent owners trying to better leverage content as well as keep the consumers more engaged on the platform. channel will go live in the Middle East the end-to-end value chain in new and North America this year, followed ways that were not possible before. ❝The broadcast world is mostly a one-way stream, by the Americas, Europe, Africa and According to MediaKind, while Asia by 2021. this has typically affected films, where consumers watch the content sports and news programming, they pushed to them. In the DTC model, PANELLISTS have also disrupted music and film festivals, conferences and enterprise there is a two-way engagement which events, many of which have been impacted by Covid-19. This has means that there are now numerous consequently led to more innovation ways to engage the end-user.❞ and experimentation in the industry. Helen Weedon “So far, the demand for DTC — Jay Ganesan, Senior Vice-President & Managing Director streaming has not been at the same Regional Head, MediaKind The Satcoms scale as broadcasting; however, we Innovation Group are starting to see a shift in focus. As going forward.” President of Marketing at Telestream, DTC live content grows around news He says MediaKind solutions maintains that the DTC push is now and sports, we expect this to go main- address two critical needs for content very discernible, particularly with stream within the next five years,” says owners – having actionable insights customers such as NBC and Sky. Amitabh Kumar Jay Ganesan, Senior Vice-President into viewing habits; and the tools “The old saying that ‘content is Director, Corporate & Regional Head, MediaKind. needed to engage the end-users in king’ remains true. Our customers Zee Network Citing an example, Ganesan more meaningful ways. (the ones who create content) are says: “During the last Cricket World “The broadcast world is mostly seeing that a DTC model can either Cup, we had up to 15 million users a one-way stream, where consumers replace the decline in traditional dis- concurrently. As this shift continues, watch the content pushed to them. In tribution as customers ‘cut the cord’; Louis Boswell we must be able to offer the most CEO the DTC model, there is a two-way or provide incremental revenue to AVIA robust, highest quality, and scalable engagement which means that there new customers.” (Asia Video Industry solution as-a-service (SaaS) out there are now numerous ways to engage Telestream’s Vantage platform, Association) from an end-to-end perspective. the end-user.” Murray says, has been at the heart That will be the need for the market Scott Murray, Senior Vice- of both content creators and media + 26 DISTRIBUTION October-December 2020

❝The old saying that ‘content is spend ‘time’ than before. Some of our mainstream, and the cost-efficien- partners have indicated that there are cies will probably parallel those of king’ remains true. Our customers too many platforms and channels, broadcast.” (the ones who create content) are so the selection process is becoming Bitmovin’s Zanki says: “I think oversaturated, and the old-school there is right now a huge compe- seeing that a DTC model can either model of ‘bundling’ might be making tition for viewers and there will be replace the decline in traditional a resurgence.” even be more brands in the market “Historically, the only way to soon. With additional big brands distribution as customers ‘cut receive content was from a distri- like Disney+ or Apple+ entering the the cord’; or provide incremental butor (cable, over-the-air, satellite, market, I think this is just the start. ❞ and so on), but there are plenty of “I’m also curious how Facebook, revenue to new customers. ‘cord cutters’ out there who want to Instagram and YouTube will react in — Scott Murray, Senior Vice-President of Marketing, receive their content via the open the next couple of quarters. There is Telestream Internet (for example, Netflix),” says definitely space for niche services. Telestream’s Murray. I think DTC services will become more social and be able to interact distributors to provide the media in directly influencing content pro- “The benefit for our DTC content better with their viewers.” the right format, which historically duction decision-making to make it creator customers is that we’re able to generate revenue from the ‘cord cut- have been on-premise. more enticing.” How should broadcasters ters’ by advertising or subscriptions. “Many of our customers are He says that with DTC, there are react? The other saying is that technology leveraging the cloud; our newest re- better ways to monetise content, more How should broadcasters navigate either ‘makes you money or saves lease of Vantage Cloud Port enables ways to keep the consumer excited, this increasingly tricky DTC land- you money”. The deployment of DTC those that have on-premise Vantage and better chances of retaining them scape? technologies ‘makes money’ for our workflows to be moved into the on the platform. “Broadcasts strug- According to Ganesan, the role customers.” cloud using the same technology, gle to offer this, as there is a lack of of broadcasters, MVPDs and con- Despite this, Internet bandwidth, but in a cloud-based, consumption feedback and insights into content tent ownership is rapidly shifting. remains a challenge. “With DTC, you business model.” consumption.” The MVPDs have become content only needed a large pipe ‘down’ to For DTC customers, Murray A combination of new systems owners and broadcasters, so the your home and a smaller pipe ‘up’. says that ensuring that their content that do not have the complexity that delineation between those terms has With Covid, so many people are is distributed correctly through the comes with it, and the old systems become increasingly murky. doing distance learning as well as cloud provider remains a concern. that do not have the flexibility to “At the core of this is content “Delays or network errors need to evolve, will create issues. “If you working and doing remote produc- ownership. There is still a role for be avoided. Our IQ monitoring solu- take an MVPD who is also a content tion from home. The ‘up’ now be- aggregators that the MVPDs played tions provide the ability for both the owner and a broadcaster, such as comes more important. Even when in the past, but those roles will be content creator and the distributor to Verizon or Comcast, they are typi- the pandemic is over, how we work somewhat different.” see that their content is distributed cally delivering content to traditional will have fundamentally changed,” Murray believes broadcasters need correctly.” broadcasters and other MVPDs. As predicts Murray. to embrace both traditional broadcast Gerald Zanki, Director of Global such, they are still combining legacy “We are just as efficient working and distribution as well as DTC to keep Inside Sales, Bitmovin, notes: “We solutions which are expensive to from home as in a central office. Our the revenue stream. “If they drop one see this shift in the form of increased ope rate, without any clear exit strat- workforce, especially our customers or the other, they will see a drop in video impressions and encoded min- egy,” says Ganesan. leveraging remote production, has net revenue. Television will never go utes across all our products. In any “The problem is, companies fundamentally changed. The bigger away. The only thing that changes is circumstance outside of the pandem- saddled with legacy delivery systems the Internet pipe, in both directions, the consumer consumption method- ic – this might be very encouraging still have revenue associated with it. is fundamentally better.” ology. I remember when we had only news for DTC organisations, but You can’t just dump it and move on, For films and episodic content, three over-the-air stations. Then came this growth in scale comes at a high leaving them with a legacy solution MediaKind’s Ganesan feels that the cable and satellite distribution with cost, and with global stay-at-home that still needs to be maintained but shift to DTC is well under way. hundreds of channels. orders, consumers are less willing doesn’t deliver the value that a pure The prevalence of Netflix, HBO “Now we have DTC for both live to spend more. DTC solution would.” Max, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and and VoD viewing. What has changed “Thus, organisations must find Bitmovin’s Zanki believes that Peacock indicates that DTC delivery is the way customers get their con- ways to reduce the cost and optimise DTC is enabling platforms to reach models for entertainment are gain- tent and that demand for content has their operations.” their audience have arrived at a ing popularity. Content traditionally continued to climb.” Zanki adds that Bitmovin’s per-title most critical time – when fans can delivered via aggregators, MVPDs, On his end, Zanki says broad- and multi-pass encoding comes with no longer attend sport and enter- and proprietary networks will either casters are quickly shifting to VoD- advanced machine learning mecha- tainment events in person. “Highly be partially or entirely delivered based OTT streaming models so that nisms built into it that can drastically engaging DTC platforms will bridge through DTC, he says. they can reach their audiences with reduce the cost of delivering content, that gap and demand,” he says. “We are now starting to see this newer content where ever they may without compromising on quality. The challenge will be around in a live scenario, with the most val- prefer to watch – as opposed to the “Our platform supports all modern controlling the cost of delivering uable live content coming primarily traditional cable-based model. video codecs (we’re even experiment- high-quality content. “We’re seeing a from sports and news. The shift to- “Take LaLiga as an example – as ing with VVC implementations) to shift from a traditional SVoD model wards DTC for this content is in the a part of our Bitmovin LIVE: IBC allow maximum device reach.” into a further application of AVoD- early phases, but this transition will Edition, LaLiga SportsTV indi- based models. In these pressing continue over the next few years. cated in an interview that without How ready is DTC now? times, consumers are more willing to “DTC for sports will become in-person sports events they used Content owners already see the value consumer analytics to determine of building strong engagements with ❝ what content users want to view their consumers, says MediaKind’s We see this shift [to DTC]in the most, and found that aside from Ganesan. form of increased video impressions traditional football, basketball and “Content owners need to focus extreme sports (like off-road biking) on the quality of content experience and encoded minutes across all our were high in demand. they are putting in front of custom- products.❞ “As such, they built out a robust ers. Actionable insights provide a streaming platform that hosts a vari- valuable feedback loop to help them — Gerald Zanki, ety of football content as well as other see what engages the consumer, Director of Global Inside Sales, Bitmovin less traditional sports content.”