TECHNICAL
A Global Streaming Study found that 35% of people being likely to unsubscribe from a steaming service in the next 12 months
Moving from QAM to IP video distribution enables operators to future-proof their infrastructure, scale rapidly, and reduce OPEX. As operators replace CableCARD devices that stopped being mandated by the government 5 and are reaching their end of life, upgrading the entire infrastructure to IP makes sense. With IP video delivery, operators can dramatically reduce the amount of hardware that they have to maintain in their headend. They can also quickly deploy new services to meet the growing expectations of television audiences. Moreover, adopting IP opens additional revenue opportunities for operators, enabling them to offer more data services. IP delivery also makes different forms of content protection possible. Operators aren’t stuck with proprietary encryption technology such as CableCARD. IP streams can be encrypted with non- proprietary, standard encryption options such as BISS and AES-128. This opens doors to a wider selection of vendor equipment, enabling operators to choose more flexible, cost-effective solutions. With the move to IP, operators may still need to maintain their existing infrastructure at customer premises. It’s not feasible for hotels or hospitals to upgrade coax cabling that runs through the building walls. Most hospitality locations need to support analogue or QAM for delivery to the end device. The availability of IP to QAM/analogue equipment makes the transition to IP a reality. IP Lays a Foundation for Using ABR Receive, SRT and ATSC 3.0 More than 80% of traffic online today is video traffic 6 , so the move to IP is nearly inevitable for Pay-TV operators. Whether operators completely embrace IP now or rely on a hybrid infrastructure, IP is the future. As operators shift to IP video delivery, there are several key technology innovations they should consider deploying 7 . The following sections of this paper will examine three IP-based technologies that bring substantial benefits to operators. Maximising Operational Efficiency With ABR Receive With the switch to IP, many operators are launching adaptive bit rate (ABR) receive solutions. ABR receive enables operators to repurpose ABR video streams from multiscreen deployments and convert to
due in part to subscription fatigue.
As a leading provider of technology solutions to Pay-TV operators, and a company that has been around since the beginning of TV, WISI has a unique understanding of the evolutions underway. This paper will offer insights into how rapid growth in video streaming consumption impacts Pay-TV operators and why it is accelerating a shift toward IP video distribution. Furthermore, the paper will identify three key technologies that operators need to consider implementing in order to streamline their networks and future-proof video delivery. The benefits of ABR receive, the SRT protocol, and ATSC 3.0 will be explored. To conclude, the paper will provide an overview of solutions operators can adopt to stay competitive and keep subscribers engaged. The Transition from QAM to IP Video Delivery is Accelerating According to the Devoncroft 4 Big Broadcast Survey released in April 2022, IP is one of the top two areas of spending for broadcast and media organisations around the world. Tier-1 operators are transitioning to IP, and smaller operators need to act fast if they want to stay competitive. Why Operators are Embracing IP Video Delivery The growth of OTT video streaming is influencing Pay-TV operators to adopt IP as their primary video delivery method. The move to IP is also being propelled by the growing consumer demand for increased bandwidth and a desire from operators to build end-to-end virtual networks for specific apps.
IP transport streams for IPTV services, or to QAM or analogue for hospitality networks. Using ABR receive operators can deliver video to existing devices. ABR receive is especially relevant for hospitality use cases, allowing operators to supply TV signals to televisions already deployed in rooms. Market Drivers for ABR Receive A key reason why operators are considering delivering ABR services is that it’s easier and more affordable to allow consumers to use smart TVs and other streaming devices like Roku to connect to TV services, than set-top boxes (STBs). Deploying and updating STBs is a significant expense for operators. Margins are thin in the Pay-TV industry, and any way to save costs is a win for operators. Moreover, ABR delivery allows operators to launch an entire TV offering via the internet. Essentially, operators can enter any market where they are able to obtain a franchise without building any infrastructure (i.e., an outside plant) within that market. Furthermore, operators are embracing ABR delivery to deliver video offerings that blend traditional cable TV with OTT services. Comcast’s Xfinity X1 interface is an excellent example of how tier-one operators are offering hosted video offerings to address the consumer demand for linear TV and OTT all in one.
May 2024 Volume 46 No.2
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