MediaKind and Arqiva join forces to ease broadcast transition to cloud models

Broadcasters will be able to migrate their broadcast and streaming services to the cloud more easily thanks to the latest initiative of MediaKind and Arqiva.

The two companies have decided to embark on a new strategic partnership with the aim of offering a fully managed cloud-native service for the aggregation, processing and delivery of TV services for any platform (إذاعة and OTT) “in any region and at any scale”. The project benefits from both the MediaKind cloud-native encoding, multiplexing, packaging and lifecycle management services, and the Arqiva expertise in providing managed services spanning integration, monitoring and connectivity services.

The new service of MediaKind and Arqiva is backed by a “global media network,” “best-of-breed” content processing software, and world-class support. The initiative is designed to improve flexibility and eliminate the complexity and significant upfront costs associated with delivering video processing functions. It also seeks to accelerate the adoption of cloud technology by broadcasters and operators.

Built on a highly “flexible, scalable and reliable” cloud infrastructure, the service will also enable “more sustainable” multimedia content delivery: the software ensures that power and resources are only used when needed, avoiding an “always-on” infrastructure. Moreover, the solution will adopt a subscription-based cloud business model, providing operators and broadcasters with cost-effective means to pay for services as they need them.

Linear TV and OTT support

The service of MediaKind and Arqiva service will accommodate “all” industry standard linear broadcast formats, encoding technologies and distribution mechanisms. It will also support the latest OTT industry requirements for TV content distribution, such as pre-integrated ad insertion technology to monetize OTT and broadcast streams with addressable advertising. All new service components will be deployed, maintained and upgraded individually, ensuring that the platform can adapt to meet today’s device and security requirements.

Shuja Khan, commercial director at Arqiva, details the key drivers behind the initiative: “Our goal Is to remove the complexities of deploying, maintaining and operating broadcast headends. The proposition will simplify cloud migration providing a truly exceptional service that offers quality, reliability, adaptability, cost-efficiency and a sustainable approach. In a media distribution world which is becoming increasingly complex, our mission is to help simplify the operational burden for our customers as they navigate technology transitions.”

Boris Felts, chief product officer at MediaKind, adds, “We are excited to partner with Arqiva and introduce a unique media service which tackles the core cloud migration challenges that operators and broadcasters face in the market today. Never before have two media broadcast and streaming heavyweights worked so collaboratively to change the nature of managed video services. It means our customers’ premium assets are in safe hands. Our joint service offering will leverage our managed cloud application operational deployment model and provide a cost-effective means for media delivery, operations and cloud infrastructure, enabling all operators and broadcasters to focus on differentiating their service through high-value content, live events, VOD libraries, and innovative new channels.”