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Tag: Switch Media

  • Malaysia’s Media Prima rides ad revolution with Broadpeak

    Malaysia’s Media Prima rides ad revolution with Broadpeak

    MUMBAI: Malaysia’s media heavyweight Media Prima Berhad has jumped into bed with French tech firm Broadpeak to revolutionise advertising on its streaming platform Tonton. The partnership, announced yesterday, unleashes server-side ad insertion (SSAI) technology to seamlessly inject commercials into live streams without viewers batting an eyelid.

    Tonton, Malaysia’s homegrown streaming darling that carries the nation’s popular TV3 channel, now benefits from smoother transitions between programmes and adverts. The platform is banking on Broadpeak’s cloud-based broadpeak.io service to boost its revenue potential while delivering a slicker viewing experience across multiple devices.

    “We were looking for a trusted partner to help us future-proof our OTT monetisation capabilities,” says Tonton head of product Gregory Eu. “Broadpeak’s dynamic ad insertion service helps us increase revenue potential while giving us the scale and flexibility we need as a nimble organisation.”  

    The broadcaster hopes to extract maximum value from its advertising inventory while giving Malaysian viewers the seamless experience they increasingly demand.

    Supporting Tonton’s elevated subscriber experiences in bringing high-quality live content to multi-device audiences, the service harnesses a suite of Switch Media’s video player, content management, and application solutions — delivered via seamless technology ecosystem integration with Broadpeak. Media Prima also benefits from effortless ad server integration with Springserve, a long-term Broadpeak technology partner.  

    Switch Media played a key role in enhancing Tonton’s OTT service by providing its advanced MediaHQ platform, which powers seamless content management, high-performance video playback, and a superior user experience across multiple devices. With MediaHQ’s flexible modular architecture, Tonton benefits from streamlined video workflows—from ingest and media management to content distribution and analytics—ensuring high-quality delivery of both live and on-demand content. This integration allows Media Prima to efficiently manage and scale its OTT offering while delivering engaging viewing experiences to Malaysian audiences. 

    “We’ve enabled a scalable and efficient content workflow that enhances the viewing experience while seamlessly supporting ad integration,” exclaims  Switch Media chief executive Mark Johns.

    For Media Prima, the technology offers blessed relief from the headache of unpredictable traffic spikes, with Broadpeak’s software-as-a-service solution scaling automatically without requiring additional servers. The broadcaster needn’t break a sweat during peak viewing times, letting it focus on cementing Tonton’s position as Malaysia’s streaming sweetheart.

     Broadpeak president & chief executive Jacques Le Mancq couldn’t resist a bit of back-patting: “It’s fantastic to work with market leaders like Media Prima Berhad with a clear vision for growth. Media Prima Berhad is powering a new OTT trajectory and cementing Tonton’s position as a national-favourite streaming service with future-ready monetization and agile SaaS technologies. We’re also delighted to see our technology partnership with Switch Media enabling seamless market deployment and fast results for our joint customer base across the region.” 

    As streaming wars heat up across South-east Asia, Media Prima’s tech-savvy move might just give it the ammunition to fight off international rivals with deeper pockets.

  • Planetcast expands online content streaming services with acquisition of Switch Media OTT, Australia

    Planetcast expands online content streaming services with acquisition of Switch Media OTT, Australia

    Mumbai: Planetcast Media Services, a leading media technology services provider in India and Southeast Asia, today announces the acquisition of one of its key partners, Switch Media, a white-label OTT platform provider deployed across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US. The transaction, which has been finalised, will transfer full control of all Switch Media’s assets to Planetcast.

    Founded in 2006, the Australian-headquartered Switch Media has innovated and delivered complex, multi-award-winning online streaming solutions, from ingest to delivery, for major brands and live events worldwide, including the Summer and Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup and Formula 1 for customers such as Foxtel Australia and Media Prima Malaysia. Switch Media is already a strategic partner of Planetcast and has been providing cutting-edge OTT solutions to the company. The acquisition enables Planetcast to fully integrate Switch Media’s online video solutions with Planetcast’s unified platform, NexC and ensure that Switch Media’s OTT product roadmap is perfectly aligned with Planetcast’s customer requirements.

    “Switch Media is the perfect acquisition for Planetcast’s NexC platform, providing us with proven world-class OTT capabilities that are a vital cornerstone of our media services and solutions portfolio and one that will help us build out our international expansion strategy,” said Planetcast’s CEO, Sanjay Duda. “Battle-tested across varied customer segments such as Pay TV Operators, broadcasters and Telcos, Switch Media’s OTT platform has successfully hosted some of the most sensitive global sports and entertainment properties. We welcome the Switch Media team to the Planetcast family. We are looking forward to more tightly integrating its feature-rich OTT solutions with NexC, our cloud-first unified-service platform, to ensure that our customers can streamline content operations and drive monetisation.”

    Commenting on its plans for Planetcast, Apollo Global head of India Private Equity Utsav Baijal said: “Because Planetcast adds significant value to its Indian and Asian customers, we are actively looking for such synergistic cross-border, global transactions such as Switch Media as the most effective way to build their international footprint and capability set.”

    Developed over almost two decades, Switch Media’s modular and flexible solutions meet the media and entertainment industry’s changing requirements, through a versatile workflow engine that enables customers to ingest, manage, deliver, monetise, and analyse online video. The result is exceptional online content for viewers and a flexible suite of capabilities enabling customers to drive OTT monetisation.

    Switch Media’s CEO Mark Johns said of the acquisition: “Our journey with Planetcast promises to open up new markets and broaden our

    customer base. The integration with Planetcast’s NexC platform will unlock tremendous value for Switch Media’s customers seeking to better leverage their content. Additionally, Planetcast’s large support infrastructure will further enhance agility and availability of support to Switch customers.” 

  • Planetcast expands online content streaming services acquiring Switch Media OTT, Australia

    Planetcast expands online content streaming services acquiring Switch Media OTT, Australia

    Mumbai: Planetcast Media Services, a media technology services provider in India and Southeast Asia, has announced the acquisition of one of its key partners, Switch Media, a white-label OTT platform provider deployed across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US. The transaction, which has been finalised, will transfer full control of all Switch Media’s assets to Planetcast.

    Founded in 2006, the Australian headquartered Switch Media has innovated and delivered complex, multi-award-winning online streaming solutions, from ingest to delivery, for major brands and live events worldwide, including the Summer and Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup and Formula 1 for customers such as Foxtel Australia and Media Prima Malaysia. Switch Media is already a strategic partner of Planetcast and has been providing cutting-edge OTT solutions to the company. The acquisition enables Planetcast to fully integrate Switch Media’s online video solutions with Planetcast’s unified platform, NexC and ensure that Switch Media’s OTT product roadmap is perfectly aligned with Planetcast’s customer requirements.

    “Switch Media is the perfect acquisition for Planetcast’s NexC platform, providing us with proven world-class OTT capabilities that are a vital cornerstone of our media services and solutions portfolio and one that will help us build out our international expansion strategy,” said Planetcast’s CEO Sanjay Duda. “Battle-tested across varied customer segments such as Pay TV Operators, broadcasters and Telcos, Switch Media’s OTT platform has successfully hosted some of the most sensitive global sports and entertainment properties. We welcome the Switch Media team to the Planetcast family. We are looking forward to more tightly integrating its feature-rich OTT solutions with NexC, our cloud-first unified-service platform, to ensure that our customers can streamline content operations and drive monetisation.”

    Commenting on its plans for Planetcast, Apollo Global head of India private equity Utsav Baijal said: “Because Planetcast adds significant value to its Indian and Asian customers, we are actively looking for such synergistic cross-border, global transactions such as Switch Media as the most effective way to build their international footprint and capability set.”

    Developed over almost two decades, Switch Media’s modular and flexible solutions meet the media and entertainment industry’s changing requirements, through a versatile workflow engine that enables customers to ingest, manage, deliver, monetise, and analyse online video. The result is exceptional online content for viewers and a flexible suite of capabilities enabling customers to drive OTT monetisation.

    Switch Media’s CEO, Mark Johns said of the acquisition: “Our journey with Planetcast promises to open up new markets and broaden our customer-base. The integration with Planetcast’s NexC platform will unlock tremendous value for Switch Media’s customers seeking to better leverage their content. Additionally, Planetcast’s large support infrastructure will further enhance agility and availability of support to Switch customers.”

  • With new partnerships, BBC Studios launches a fresh OTT platform for kids in South Africa, Taiwan

    With new partnerships, BBC Studios launches a fresh OTT platform for kids in South Africa, Taiwan

    Mumbai: BBC Studios, in partnership with Switch Media and MTN in South Africa and MyVideo in Taiwan, has announced the launch of BBC Kids in South Africa and Taiwan. BBC Kids offers inspiring, educational, and entertaining BBC content for families and children aged 0-12.

    The agreement with Switch Media and MTN makes South Africa the fourth market to launch the BBC Kids brand, following launches in Australia, the US, and most recently on Taiwan’s most influential OTT platform, MyVideo, on 1 July this year. Popular programmes in Taiwan include the natural history series Spy in the Wild and the cooking show My World Kitchen for kids.

    BBC Kids will be ad-free and carefully curate the BBC’s award-winning children’s programming according to age. Dedicated sections aimed at pre-school children and another for older primary school children will provide a safe space for children to enjoy an abundance of high-quality BBC Kids content and a service that parents can trust.

    It can be downloaded via the app store or play store. BBC Kids will be available to MTN customers via a flexible daily, weekly or monthly subscription.

    The programming for preschoolers includes Hey Duggee, Sarah and Duck, JoJo and Gran Gran, Yakka Dee, and Swashbuckle. Meanwhile, offerings for the older set include Jamie Johnson, Harry Potter: A History of Magic, The Bagel and Becky Show, Horrible Histories, and Gangsta Granny.

    BBC Studios president of global markets Nick Percy said, “BBC Kids provides parents with a go-to, trusted destination for award-winning children’s programming that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. With inspiring, educational, and exciting shows for preschool and older children at their fingertips, BBC Kids will be a welcome addition for families in South Africa and in Taiwan.”

  • Switch Media unveils VOD2Live for easy launch of live linear OTT Channels

    Switch Media unveils VOD2Live for easy launch of live linear OTT Channels

    MUMBAI: Switch Media, a world leader in online video technology, has launched VOD2Live, a clever new solution that enables broadcasters and content owners to effortlessly launch custom dynamic live linear channels in minutes. Using a content owners existing library of VOD assets, VOD2Live creates a broadcast-equivalent channel with no need for playout software, live video encoding or to re-ingest the media. This greatly simplifies video delivery workflows, lowers cost and reduces time to market, while providing personalisation of channels, including programming and ads based on viewer location, demographics or viewing behaviour.

    VOD2Live may be used to create quick and easy pop-up channels for content providers that want to temporarily feature a collection from their library on a linear channel. It can also be used to leverage the investment of an existing live linear channel by broadening distribution to other markets. Both can be done quick and easily, without investing in additional playout software and live video encoding.   

    The idea for VOD2Live was born from Switch Media’s SSAI technology AdEase, which specialises on stitching ad and media content together on-the-fly to create high-quality, seamless, targeted OTT ad insertion.

    Luke Durham, CTO of Switch Media said, “Our VOD2Live solution takes this notion a step further, enabling personalisation of the entire channel, including ads. It achieves this by taking assets from an existing VOD library and generates a linear channel from the data. There’s no additional complexity; it simply uses a set of metadata to generate the channel. VOD2Live allows customers to inexpensively test a linear channel in market with a very low cost of start up.” 

    VOD2Live is ideally suited for pop-up channels where content owners can inexpensively test new offerings; regional, time-shifted and culturally targeted programming, with relevant audio and subtitle tracks; and personalised channels based on genre, viewer preferences or a feed from an existing recommendation engine.

    Durham continues, “VOD2Live is another example of how we address some of the most intricate broadcaster requirements in a continually shifting technology landscape. It’s a simple yet dynamic product that provides broadcasters with a highly cost-efficient and technologically elegant way of generating live linear OTT channels in minutes.”

  • Switch Media launches sophisticated encoding tool watcha for its powerful MediaHQ product suite

    Switch Media launches sophisticated encoding tool watcha for its powerful MediaHQ product suite

    MUMBAI: Switch Media, a world leader in online video technology has launched Watcha, a key new feature for its product suite, MediaHQ, which was unveiled at NAB this year. The Watcha tool provides broadcasters and content owners with a solution that automatically highlights and reports issues during the encoding process. It was designed to answer the changing needs of broadcasters as they continue to adapt to on-demand services.

    Unlike other encoding tools, Watcha tracks the content at the same time it’s being encoded, reporting issues that may arise, such as pixilation. The report is immediately sent to the engineer detailing when and where those issues arise. This is particularly useful for 4K and CPU-intensive projects. If encoding fails, Watcha can automatically restart the process. As well as providing detailed reports, Watcha can encode and stitch together sections of content again, saving significant time and costs.

    Project lead for the Watcha tool, Kevin Staunton-Lambert, Solutions Architect, R&D Department, Switch Media says, “Prior to Watcha, if a 4K movie took eight hours to encode, the report may take another eight hours to prepare. With Watcha the two work together simultaneously. That’s a huge time saving for broadcasters who are under pressure to get their content to multiple platforms quickly.”

    Watcha also provides support in production environments. If a sports broadcaster is broadcasting a football match for example, Watcha can assist the vision mixer by detecting camera issues, automatically telling the operator to jump to another camera that can cover the pitch in the same area. Watcha will continue to monitor the cameras and will automatically revert to the previous camera if required.

    Switch Media’s MediaHQ provides broadcasters flexibility based on individual requirements. Users can tailor their workflows, selecting any or all of the components in MediaHQ’s powerful product suite to manage and assist in the delivery of content for both online distribution and traditional broadcast. From ingest, media management and preparation to distribution and analytics, broadcasters can access everything they need under one roof, on one platform to improve or augment their video workflow.