The Benefits of a Unified Workflow for Multi-Channel and Multi-Format Services
Dan Finch, Commercial Director at Simplestream
The TV and media industry has seen immense advancements in the way consumers watch and engage with video. The rise of OTT, predominance of multi-device viewing and the sophistication of screen resolutions like 4K/UHD are just some of the latest enhancements that have influenced how broadcasters and content providers approach the consumer viewing experience. Concurrently, and unsurprisingly, consumer demand for this content is flourishing as media outlets and platforms proliferate. The content players that can meet this demand and successfully evolve into a multiplatform driver will emerge as the leaders in today’s rich and evolving media landscape – and reap the rewards. Amongst all the necessary operational fixings that need addressing to get there, implementing a unified, end-to- end digital workflow is a fundamental step in the right direction.
Many in the TV and media industry, however, are still operating with a traditional workflow – something that has proven to be a barrier to accomplishing this multiplatform, multi-format transition. Traditional media workflows have historically been based on self-contained production systems with video content recorded, transported and managed on physical tapes – from acquisition and capture to delivery and playout. It was a well-understood and accepted standard that was subject to limited variation until digital file-based production and systems swept in. This arrival rocked the industry and brought with it new workflows. When implemented, however, there can be a tendency for broadcasters and content players to silo the different processes, resulting in fragmentation and an inability to meet the demands of content production and multiplatform distribution – driven by a slow linear production process, continuous “reingestation” of video and expensive video archiving methods.
A unified, end-to- end workflow serves to integrate all processes using a single, integrated vendor platform that efficiently acquires content, streamlines production, simplifies media management and enhances distribution. This holistic process is an advantageous avenue that enables content players to reduce costs and increase delivery seamlessness. With a single-vendor integrated platform, content can be transcoded, encoded, packaged and delivered to multiple platforms – from linear broadcast to live streaming and video on demand. This single source approach immensely simplifies the process and minimizes operational risk by keeping assets together from start to finish. Overhead is also decreased significantly. When working with multiple vendors, managing the process can grow complicated with different points of contact that each harness important pieces of the content lifecycle puzzle. A unified, end-to- end workflow, however, means there is only one point of contact and single management of the process, resulting in faster market turnaround.
This is at the heart of what Simplestream does. Founded in response to an identified opportunity to democratize the content market, Simplestream has developed an infrastructure that reduces the cost and complexity of delivering OTT video content, enabling content providers of all sizes – from mainstream to niche – to deliver premium live streaming, catch-up and live-to- VOD experiences. Its proprietary cloud-based Media Manager provides a unified workflow for live streaming, video on demand, real-time video clipping and social syndication that facilitates fast service deployments, robust scalability and the flexibility to integrate with any existing technological platform. The result: an efficient, easily manageable production and delivery system that introduces a rich array of multiplatform, multi-format content to consumers.
The future of broadcasting workflow and processes will continue to adapt as consumer content consumption patterns evolve and a unified end-to- end workflow will be a key ingredient of enhanced content delivery.
About Simplestream
Simplestream solutions all work towards one core mission... to simplify video delivery. They optimise workflows for Live and VOD and their flexible cloud-based Media Manager modules accelerate deployments. Furthermore, Simplestream enhances user-experiences by delivering content in compelling and innovative ways across all screens.
