Transitioning From Ground To Cloud For Playout

No one could have missed the excitement about cloud technology for media in recent years. And it’s easy to see why many assumed that playout would be an early leader in the transition to the cloud.

Certainly cloud-based playout systems offer numerous real advantages. But they are not without their own drawbacks, which need to be acknowledged.

One area of particular concern is latency. The network to and from the cloud, the remote processing, the monitoring feedback loop ― they all add latency that broadcasters counting on seamless live feeds consider unacceptable.

Another issue is that cloud-based playout systems rely heavily on stable and reliable internet connectivity. This dependency introduces a level of vulnerability, especially in regions with unreliable internet infrastructure.

While cloud playout reduces infrastructure investment, it introduces other costs, primarily related to cloud service subscriptions and data transfers. Video content, especially in high resolutions like 4K, requires a substantial amount of data for transmission — a typical compressed channel operates at 15Mb/s. To meet broadcasters’ standards for delivery without interruptions or glitches, service providers like AWS, Google Cloud and Azure have to provide a flawless data pipeline, which comes with a hefty price tag.

Finally, there is still some reluctance to move to an OPEX subscription or SaaS business model and away from the long-established broadcast practice of capitalizing on-premises hardware.

In times of global economic stress, broadcasters can feel more comfortable with capitalizing infrastructure costs and limiting ongoing OPEX charges.

Best Of Both Worlds

While the cloud offers strong benefits, the technology to replicate all the critical requirements of on-premises systems is still evolving. So, rather than making the switch to a completely cloud-based infrastructure today, my recommendation is that broadcasters look to a hybrid approach. Use on-premises equipment for the premium channels and cloud technology for less complex operations.

Sure, the cloud can, of course, support any playout requirements. But a gradual transition from one operational world to the next gives broadcasters the chance to optimize their existing capital investments in on-premises infrastructure.

At the same time, they can leverage the unique benefits of the cloud as they need them. Disaster recovery is the perfect example: Rather than having a complete duplicate set of hardware you hope never to use, have the backup in the cloud and only spin up the playout when you need it.

That is a greatly reduced cost while maintaining the necessary redundancy for uninterrupted broadcasting. The savings are even better if you pool backup channels to reduce the number of licenses.

Apart from disaster recovery, the cloud is also ideal for thematic channels — specialty or niche channels that focus on specific content genres, providing a dedicated platform for viewers interested in a particular subject. Now free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) offers pre-planned services with no live intervention. With all the content stored in the cloud, it is a very simple solution.

Conversely, broadcasters can also use the cloud to add to the viewer experience. Around major events like the Olympics, they can create pop-up channels to cover every single event or to provide alternative camera views and perspectives. Once the event is over, they can shut the channel down and stop paying for the processing.

The Future

I’m sure that the industry will eventually complete the transition to cloud-based playout. The pieces are starting to drop into place. The cost of data transmission is decreasing rapidly, and that trend will continue. More stable network connections and advanced compression and streaming deliver the industry’s requirements for flawless playback.

When will it happen? My estimate is that we will be working with hybrid systems for at least the next 10 years, if only because capital investments will take that long to amortize. Cloud playout is definitely coming. It’s just not quite as fast as we once thought.

Brendon Mills is general manager, playout and networking at Imagine Communications.