manager for north Asia at Clear- Com. “These are particularly valued in APAC, setting the region apart from areas such as Europe and Latin America,” which don’t see nearly as many extreme weather events. Similarly, “one of the biggest challenges to the APAC region is infrastructure disparity,” argues Ardava. “While markets like Japan and Singapore have world-class connectivity, others still struggle with broadband limitations and cloud adoption barriers.” These inequalities exist for a number of reasons, but they can often be traced back to colonisation
agreements and seeking to foster partnerships that are based on mutual benefit.” What happens within We’ve already alluded to some critical differences between individual APAC countries; and the closer you look, the more obvious these distinctions become. For starters, “APAC is an incredibly diverse region with unique cultures, business practices and infrastructure variations across countries,” remarks Chow. “Many global companies establish their regional hubs in Singapore or Hong Kong due to their strong
Zealand are ‘emerging as leaders in cloud broadcasting adoption’. China, on the other hand, has a ‘self-contained ecosystem and strict regulations’ but a ‘fast-moving innovation culture’, she explains, while more advanced markets like Japan and South Korea are focused on developing 4K or 8K video and artificial intelligence. Elsewhere, like in India, FAST, OTT and cloud-based broadcasting are replacing traditional distribution channels. Throughout the APAC region, broadcast is undergoing rapid – and potentially disjointed – transformation. On the whole, “the biggest trends are focused on cloud-based playout, as well as FAST and hybrid delivery models,” according to Ardava. “There is also a strong preference for mobile-first consumption, which is driving more broadcasters to prioritise cloud- based, flexible workflows that can cater to both linear TV and OTT modes simultaneously.” Bibhas Kumar Samanta, head of sales and presales (India and MENA) at Interra Systems, echoes this point, adding that “while video streaming continues to dominate the APAC market, we are also seeing linear television evolve, with local video service providers finding innovative ways to stay competitive – including investing even more in OTT and new- media businesses.” Samanta believes this ‘dual approach’ – capitalising on the strengths of both linear and digital platforms – will allow broadcasters to ‘remain relevant in what is a rapidly changing landscape’. Samanta also stresses the impact of live sports on
» There is a strong preference for mobile-first consumption, which is driving more broadcasters to prioritise cloud-based, flexible workflows «
and the effects of recent or ongoing political conflict. APAC is also inconsistent in terms of regulation, with borders often marking the end of one legislation and the beginning of another. Unlike the European Union, which unites almost the entire continent, APAC experiences ‘regulatory challenges’, according to Ardava. “Certain markets require localised partnerships or compliance with unique broadcasting laws,” she says, mentioning ‘China’s restrictions on foreign cloud services’ as a key example. “Despite these regional challenges,” she continues, “there are still huge opportunities for cloud-based solutions that are able to support multiple formats and compliance standards.” Lastly, Chow credits the ‘prevalence of high-context cultures, in which trust and relationships are crucial’ as an additional obstacle, particularly for businesses which are new or non-native to the area. “Understanding these cultural nuances is essential for long-term success,” he claims, suggesting that companies should “respect these traditions by prioritising ethical business practices, honouring verbal
business environments, strategic locations and well-developed infrastructure,” he adds, though Clear-Com takes a ‘decentralised’ approach. “This structure allows us to provide rapid responses and localised support, ensuring our solutions align with specific customer needs across the region.” Ardava agrees that Singapore and Hong Kong remain ‘key APAC hubs for media distribution’, but acknowledges that Australia and New
SOUTH-EAST SOLUTIONS Clear- Com technology has backed events like the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix
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