Most engineers feel the cloud isn’t quite ready to handle the dynamic nature and complex timing requirements of local stations, which frequently go live, and concerns linger over centralizing their content in cloud storage in case of connectivity failures or other emergencies. Pictured: Encompass provides multichannel playout services from its operations centers in Atlanta, London and Singapore.
TV stations are still putting most of their dollars into on-prem hardware for master control functions, with their cloud investments aimed at OTT and disaster recovery. Pictured: Imagine recently partnered with Vizrt to integrate its cloud playout software with Vizrt’s live production tools.
Station groups lag behind larger networks in investing in new IP routing systems despite interoperability hurdles being overcome and IP gear prices falling. But the new infrastructure may end up being more horsepower than they need. Above, a control room at NBCUniversal’s Boston Media Center in Needham, Mass. The facility handles four businesses in the market — WBTS (NBC), WNEU (Telemundo), New England Cable News and NBC Sports Boston — on one common IP-based technology platform.
Vendors say broadcasters are increasingly looking to expand virtualization of their operations across the whole chain, and they’re also seeking to take that virtualization off-premises, either in their own master control hubs or the public cloud.
