ITV

Tag: K.A. Srinivasan

  • Chef Kapoor-promoted Food Food bolsters ops with Amagi Cloudport

    MUMBAI: Amagi, a leader in cloud-managed playout services and targeted advertising for TV and OTT, has announced that celebrity master chef Sanjeev Kapoor-promoted food and lifestyle channel, Food Food, has deployed Amagi’s Cloudport edge playout platform to launch its new international feed.

    “Since we launched in 2011, Food Food channel has been building an enviable viewership, not only in India, but also across the U.S., Canada, UAE, Qatar, and Mauritius,” said Sanjeev Kapoor, co-founder and director, Food Food. “However, till now, we had been broadcasting a common feed to all our markets of operations. Owing to popular demand for our programming, creating dedicated international feeds was a natural step in consolidating our position as a food and lifestyle channel of choice.”

    “Using traditional broadcast models, Food Food channel would need to create a separate playout infrastructure for each international market. This would not only be expensive, but it would also limit the channel’s ability to scale rapidly in new markets. In contrast, Amagi Cloudport is a low capex and opex cloud broadcast model, with unprecedented scalability to expand into non-contiguous geographies as needed by Food Food channel,” said K.A. Srinivasan, co-founder, Amagi.

    Amagi enabled Food Food channel to push all its content assets to a secure Amazon Web Services cloud. Using a web-based UI, the channel’s operations team was able to import schedules, add dynamic graphics, create playlists, and manage the entire content asset library to create a new international feed. Amagi installed its Cloudport edge playout servers at operator headends. Through a simple business internet connection, playout-ready content was pushed to the edge servers. The server then played out the content as per defined playlists and schedules, offering audiences a feature-rich, world-class playout and viewing experience, in HD format, 24×7.

    The channel’s international feeds using Amagi’s cloud technology are distributed in the U.S. through Dish TV, and in Mauritius via Mauritius Telecom. “Amagi made it simple and cost-effective, helping us to launch entirely new feeds in less than two months. Further, with its edge-based playout architecture, we now have the ability to localize content in the U.S. and Mauritius, and support regional advertisers in the future”, added Kapoor.

    Since all its content is now on the cloud, Food Food channel can easily expand into new geographies, significantly reducing go-to-market timelines. From any remote location, the operations team at Food Food can manage the entire channel operations through a simple, yet sophisticated, web-based UI.

  • Amagi Skylight & STN teleports to jointly aid global TV networks

    MUMBAI: Amagi, a leader in cloud-managed broadcast services and targeted advertising for TV and OTT, and STN, a leading global teleport, have announced a partnership that integrates services between the two companies.

    The partnership will benefit TV networks around the world, who can now rely on guaranteed compatibility between the Amagi Skylight cloud-managed broadcast services platform and STN’s satellite uplink services for channel delivery and distribution.

    As a result of the partnership, TV Networks can deliver and manage their content from anywhere in the globe through Amagi’s cloud-based Skylight platform and be seamlessly integrated with the STN teleport infrastructure reaching affiliates and consumers in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Similarly, STN customers will be able to take advantage of all the benefits that Skylight offers over traditional managed playout, including end-to-end services encompassing content preparation, channel playout, content delivery, and monetisation — built specifically to operate in the cloud for maximum efficiency and value.

    “STN is pleased to add Amagi’s cloud-based playout to our growing list of options for service solutions,” said Mitja Lovsin, chief commercial officer, STN. “Our customers that choose Amagi will get the scalability and cost savings that come from moving their operations to a full-featured, hardware-light, cloud-based infrastructure.”

    “We aim to find partners that help our clients strengthen their offerings over the cloud. STN is one of the world’s most used and fastest-growing teleports, with a reputation for reliability, which is what makes it the right kind of partner for us,” said K.A. Srinivasan, co-founder of Amagi. “Being able to cross-sell our services will help both companies, but most importantly, by leveraging our synergies, we can provide a world-class broadcast experience for our global TV-network customers.”

  • Managed Broadcast Services embraces Amagi’s Skylight Cloud Platform

    MUMBAI: Amagi, the leader in cloud broadcast infrastructure and targeted advertising for TV and OTT, today announced the launch of Skylight, the first-of-its-kind, cloud-managed broadcast services platform positioned to redefine the managed playout services industry. Skylight offers TV networks cloud-led, end-to-end services encompassing content preparation, channel playout, content delivery, and monetisation for both linear TV and OTT for maximum efficiency. The Skylight services platform embodies a philosophy of simplicity, transparency, and automation.

    “Traditional managed service providers have archaic systems and their lack of innovation is limiting the possibilities for TV networks. They are labor-intensive, large physical operations, and from the perspective of TV networks, opaque in many ways,” said K.A. Srinivasan, co-founder, Amagi. “We’re breaking new ground by adopting future-ready cloud technologies that add advanced automation to accelerate broadcast workflows, provide complete transparency through a web-based UI, and make it absolutely simple for broadcasters to operate channels.”

    Unlike traditional managed service providers, Amagi Skylight uses public cloud infrastructure to push broadcasters’ content to the cloud and then centrally manages the entire broadcast workflow. Skylight packs in cognitive capabilities and machine learning techniques to reduce human intervention wherever possible. These aspects drive scalability and increase broadcast efficiencies.

    Amagi’s Skylight uses a differentiated partner-centric approach to help TV networks get better choice and cost effectiveness – be it for creative services including subtitling, voice over, and post-production or delivery services over fiber and satellite. By giving a wide swathe of choice of partners and on-demand infrastructure, Amagi provides better cost efficiency and agility to its customers.

    “What makes Skylight truly an end-to-end service is our extensive expertise in monetizing content through targeted advertising on TV and dynamic, personalized ad insertion on OTT. This makes Skylight an attractive proposition for TV networks, not just for operational efficiencies but also for revenue generation,” added Srinivasan.

  • Amagi launches live linear OTT playout platform on cloudport

    Amagi launches live linear OTT playout platform on cloudport

    MUMBAI: Amagi announced TV networks and content owners can now launch live and linear OTT channels on the cloud and operate a unified platform for linear, catch up and video-on-demand (VOD) TV without any hardware.

    Cloudport OTT supports advanced graphics functions including dynamic graphics, digital video effects, and real-time social media integration capability in addition to switching to live feeds.

    The platform is equipped with a live MCR capability on the cloud and the entire OTT playout workflow can be managed remotely using a web-based UI.

    “Cloudport has all the features that traditional TV networks need. It is built on a secure, reliable, and scalable Amazon AWS cloud infrastructure, complete with an in-built feature to block geo-specific content to manage content rights obligations,” Amagi co-founder K. A. Srinivasan was quoted in a company statement.

    “The platform seamlessly integrates with Amagi’s server-side OTT ad insertion solution, thunderstorm, to monetize content effectively. This way TV networks and content owners have access to an integrated platform for OTT playout and monetization, simplifying overall operations,” aacording to Srinivasan.

  • Amagi launches live linear OTT playout platform on cloudport

    Amagi launches live linear OTT playout platform on cloudport

    MUMBAI: Amagi announced TV networks and content owners can now launch live and linear OTT channels on the cloud and operate a unified platform for linear, catch up and video-on-demand (VOD) TV without any hardware.

    Cloudport OTT supports advanced graphics functions including dynamic graphics, digital video effects, and real-time social media integration capability in addition to switching to live feeds.

    The platform is equipped with a live MCR capability on the cloud and the entire OTT playout workflow can be managed remotely using a web-based UI.

    “Cloudport has all the features that traditional TV networks need. It is built on a secure, reliable, and scalable Amazon AWS cloud infrastructure, complete with an in-built feature to block geo-specific content to manage content rights obligations,” Amagi co-founder K. A. Srinivasan was quoted in a company statement.

    “The platform seamlessly integrates with Amagi’s server-side OTT ad insertion solution, thunderstorm, to monetize content effectively. This way TV networks and content owners have access to an integrated platform for OTT playout and monetization, simplifying overall operations,” aacording to Srinivasan.

  • Amagi enables virtualized playout with Cloudport 3.0

    Amagi enables virtualized playout with Cloudport 3.0

    MUMBAI: Aiming to increase operational efficiency, scalability, and cost savings for broadcasterscloud-based broadcast infrastructure and targeted TV advertising platform Amagi has adopted use Cloudport 3.0, the latest version of its cloud-based playout platform.

    Cloudport 3.0 enables TV networks to operate virtualized playout on the cloud. This gives TV networks greater flexibility and agility to spin new channels and create regional feeds instantly to keep pace with changing viewer dynamics and preferences. Available as a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platform using Intel servers, Cloudport 3.0 can also be deployed at operator headends while retaining full control over operations with the broadcasters.

    The new playout platform is IP-enabled, supports live broadcast, and is 4K UHD compatible. Complete with multi-feed monitoring, the platform offers remote playout management, creating a live MCR-like experience on the cloud.

    “Building on the successful global deployments of Cloudport, Amagi has further enhanced the platform’s capabilities in response to the broadcast industry’s evolving needs for virtualized playout,” said Amagi co-founder K A Srinivasan. “With Cloudport 3.0, TV networks can respond to market needs quicker, as well as operate multichannel playout and delivery with zero CAPEX when compared to traditional playout and broadcast models.”

    Offered as a platform-as-a-service model, Cloudport 3.0 is packed with advanced features such as near-live asset changes to broadcast playlists, real-time social media integration, and enhanced digital video effects for a better end-user experience.

    “Given its flexibility to be hosted on the cloud, Cloudport 3.0 can be used to create broadcast-quality OTT feeds. It can also double up as a cost-effective option to meet disaster recovery needs of TV networks. There is no longer a need for broadcasters to stay invested in expensive, traditional delivery models,” Srinivasan added.

    Cloudport 3.0 will be showcased by Amagi at the 2016 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 16 to 21.

     

  • Amagi enables virtualized playout with Cloudport 3.0

    Amagi enables virtualized playout with Cloudport 3.0

    MUMBAI: Aiming to increase operational efficiency, scalability, and cost savings for broadcasterscloud-based broadcast infrastructure and targeted TV advertising platform Amagi has adopted use Cloudport 3.0, the latest version of its cloud-based playout platform.

    Cloudport 3.0 enables TV networks to operate virtualized playout on the cloud. This gives TV networks greater flexibility and agility to spin new channels and create regional feeds instantly to keep pace with changing viewer dynamics and preferences. Available as a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platform using Intel servers, Cloudport 3.0 can also be deployed at operator headends while retaining full control over operations with the broadcasters.

    The new playout platform is IP-enabled, supports live broadcast, and is 4K UHD compatible. Complete with multi-feed monitoring, the platform offers remote playout management, creating a live MCR-like experience on the cloud.

    “Building on the successful global deployments of Cloudport, Amagi has further enhanced the platform’s capabilities in response to the broadcast industry’s evolving needs for virtualized playout,” said Amagi co-founder K A Srinivasan. “With Cloudport 3.0, TV networks can respond to market needs quicker, as well as operate multichannel playout and delivery with zero CAPEX when compared to traditional playout and broadcast models.”

    Offered as a platform-as-a-service model, Cloudport 3.0 is packed with advanced features such as near-live asset changes to broadcast playlists, real-time social media integration, and enhanced digital video effects for a better end-user experience.

    “Given its flexibility to be hosted on the cloud, Cloudport 3.0 can be used to create broadcast-quality OTT feeds. It can also double up as a cost-effective option to meet disaster recovery needs of TV networks. There is no longer a need for broadcasters to stay invested in expensive, traditional delivery models,” Srinivasan added.

    Cloudport 3.0 will be showcased by Amagi at the 2016 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 16 to 21.

     

  • B4U Television Network chooses Amagi’s Cloudport for global operations

    B4U Television Network chooses Amagi’s Cloudport for global operations

    MUMBAI: Amagi announced that B4U Television Network has now chosen Amagi’s Cloudport 2.0 channel play out platform for its global operations following the successful implementation in India last year. 

     

    Utilizing the next-generation channel playout platform, B4U Television Network is now delivering its popular B4U Movies and B4U Music TV channels in the United States, Canada, Caribbean, U.K., Mauritius, and APAC regions as well as its B4U Aflam and B4U Plus TV channels in the Middle East.

     

    Cloudport provides B4U with an efficient, reliable, and cost-effective cloud-based TV broadcast infrastructure that integrates well with satellite and fiber-based delivery models used in certain geographies of the TV network’s operations.

     

    “The traditional playout approach we were using was not only expensive but also restrictive in terms of the lack of ability to scale, accessibility across locations, frequent technology upgrades, and disaster recovery safeguards. We needed a playout solution that would reduce costs without compromising broadcast quality,” said B4U International business head Ashok Shenoy.  

     

    “Transitioning from a traditional playout model to a next-generation cloud infrastructure powered by Amagi’s playout platform has allowed us to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology adoption. Cloudport increases the flexibility of our broadcast workflow, making it easy for us to deliver content relevant to each region while reducing OPEX and CAPEX.”

     

    “Amagi is proud to be B4U Television Network’s global playout partner. We are delighted to extend the efficiencies, cost savings, and flexibility that Cloudport offers to B4U’s bouquet of channels,” said Amagi co-founder K.A. Srinivasan. “As B4U looks to monetize and expand into new geographies in the future, Amagi will enable new feeds to be launched in less than four weeks, supporting multiple delivery models of cloud, satellite, and fiber with a natural extension to OTT multiscreen experience. This is precisely why Cloudport  is a future-ready playout platform.”

     

    B4U Television Network has migrated all of its content assets previously hosted in legacy data centers to the cloud. In addition to remote asset management and playlist scheduling, Amagi’s Cloudport platform supports advanced dynamic graphics capabilities, enabling B4U Television Network to provide a rich viewing experience to subscribers. This feature is especially useful for B4U’s music and movie channels that feature advanced digital video effects.

     

    With content hosted on the cloud, B4U Television Network has transparent and remote access to the entire play out chain and feed, all from Cloudport’s Web-based user interface. By providing more visibility and control over TV channels, Cloudport makes it easy for the network to manage multiple channels with distribution across disparate regions of the world.

     

    Since Amagi offers seamless integration with third-party scheduling, automation, and asset management systems, B4U was able to quickly adopt the Cloudport platform with minimal changes to its existing workflows. 

  • B4U Television Network chooses Amagi’s Cloudport for global operations

    B4U Television Network chooses Amagi’s Cloudport for global operations

    MUMBAI: Amagi announced that B4U Television Network has now chosen Amagi’s Cloudport 2.0 channel play out platform for its global operations following the successful implementation in India last year. 

     

    Utilizing the next-generation channel playout platform, B4U Television Network is now delivering its popular B4U Movies and B4U Music TV channels in the United States, Canada, Caribbean, U.K., Mauritius, and APAC regions as well as its B4U Aflam and B4U Plus TV channels in the Middle East.

     

    Cloudport provides B4U with an efficient, reliable, and cost-effective cloud-based TV broadcast infrastructure that integrates well with satellite and fiber-based delivery models used in certain geographies of the TV network’s operations.

     

    “The traditional playout approach we were using was not only expensive but also restrictive in terms of the lack of ability to scale, accessibility across locations, frequent technology upgrades, and disaster recovery safeguards. We needed a playout solution that would reduce costs without compromising broadcast quality,” said B4U International business head Ashok Shenoy.  

     

    “Transitioning from a traditional playout model to a next-generation cloud infrastructure powered by Amagi’s playout platform has allowed us to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology adoption. Cloudport increases the flexibility of our broadcast workflow, making it easy for us to deliver content relevant to each region while reducing OPEX and CAPEX.”

     

    “Amagi is proud to be B4U Television Network’s global playout partner. We are delighted to extend the efficiencies, cost savings, and flexibility that Cloudport offers to B4U’s bouquet of channels,” said Amagi co-founder K.A. Srinivasan. “As B4U looks to monetize and expand into new geographies in the future, Amagi will enable new feeds to be launched in less than four weeks, supporting multiple delivery models of cloud, satellite, and fiber with a natural extension to OTT multiscreen experience. This is precisely why Cloudport  is a future-ready playout platform.”

     

    B4U Television Network has migrated all of its content assets previously hosted in legacy data centers to the cloud. In addition to remote asset management and playlist scheduling, Amagi’s Cloudport platform supports advanced dynamic graphics capabilities, enabling B4U Television Network to provide a rich viewing experience to subscribers. This feature is especially useful for B4U’s music and movie channels that feature advanced digital video effects.

     

    With content hosted on the cloud, B4U Television Network has transparent and remote access to the entire play out chain and feed, all from Cloudport’s Web-based user interface. By providing more visibility and control over TV channels, Cloudport makes it easy for the network to manage multiple channels with distribution across disparate regions of the world.

     

    Since Amagi offers seamless integration with third-party scheduling, automation, and asset management systems, B4U was able to quickly adopt the Cloudport platform with minimal changes to its existing workflows. 

  • Amagi launches next-generation managed playout service

    Amagi launches next-generation managed playout service

    MUMBAI: Cloud-based broadcast infrastructure and targeted TV advertising specialist Amagi has launched a new managed playout service designed to simplify video content preparation, management, and delivery for broadcasters by leveraging cloud capabilities.

     

    Utilising the end-to-end cloud-based service for content delivery, playout management, ingest, asset and archival management, quality control, traffic and scheduling, and 24/7 monitoring, broadcasters can dramatically increase workflow efficiency, reduce costs, and gain complete visibility and control over their playout. Amagi will showcase its complete technology offering at IBC2015 in Amsterdam (11 – 15 September).

     

    “Faced with the challenge of delivering more content to an ever growing number of devices, today’s broadcasters need scalable, flexible, and cost-effective playout solutions,” said Amagi co-founder K.A. Srinivasan. 

     

    He further added, “Our next-generation cloud-based service transforms the way broadcasters handle video content, enabling them to distribute content more efficiently and cost-effectively on a global scale. Building on our successful CLOUDPORT infrastructure, we are now providing automated, technology-driven services, and a partner marketplace to provide a completely managed playout service to TV networks.”

     

    Amagi’s next-generation playout service enables asset management on the cloud. Broadcasters can store and archive all necessary assets without requiring a large capital investment, as is the case with traditional asset management platforms. With built-in replication, the cloud is disaster-resistant and provides easy collaboration across multiple sites. Amagi’s cloud-based approach to asset management also provides broadcasters the ability to easily alter the content for VOD and OTT multiscreen delivery.