51 ROUND TABLE Linear Playout
ERIC BOLTEN: Linear TV in its software defined and OTT format means more immersive experiences for consumers – going from HD to UHD, with 4K, 8K and even 12K formats. Live linear will provide such breakthroughs ahead of the file world because there will be better economics on the linear side to support them. Secondly, linear TV presentation will be transformed by machine learning employed to track human behaviour in order to optimise programming suggestions. In a file-based world, providers are going to be as good as the data lake or inventory of programing they have available, and their ability to match that selection to their consumer base. In linear, you’ll want to have unlimited access afforded by a
virtualised, cloud-based set of signals that are being artificially teed up and optimised to make it to that consumer edge. Using a software-defined architecture, programmed channels will be available to consumers through multiple streaming services, and that will allow for the ultimate curated set of programming that consumers can see live with customised playlists, according to what consumers want to see. PAUL MARTIN: Linear needs to go 100% OTT and make best use of the technology to innovate the user experience. This means that TVs and our interaction with TVs needs to change. Viewing a programme on a linear schedule can be more personalised in the OTT domain. What we are watching can be linked to other relevant content; we can watch it with a community of people with common interests, we can have ads that appeal to us, and we can choose to watch the available content the way we want to. VOD services have done this for content we specifically want to watch, but what about the full, immersive experience that can come with time-sensitive linear TV? That is where live and scheduled content can gain an upper hand and be the more ‘now’ content to see. STEVE REYNOLDS: Virtualisation is going to provide more flexibility and scalability. In a virtualised environment, microservices can deliver highly efficient playout with optimal use of the infrastructure. Using a virtualised environment, you are not shackled by hardware. You can turn on 4K or HDR for one event and turn it off afterwards. This is the new business model for broadcasters. Through a virtualised infrastructure, whether on your metal or a cloud provider, content delivery becomes OPEX. You can decide how much to spend on delivering an individual programme or event, against the costs of delivery. If you want to try something, you can. If you want a pop-up channel, perhaps because you want to see if Ultra HD will win new audiences, you can decide to try it today and be transmitting tomorrow. The core business of the broadcaster or content network remains to build content, originate channels and sell advertising. The playout suite of the future will allow them to do just that, cost effectively – and across every platform.
FEED: ARE THERESOME REVOLUTIONARYWAYSWE SHOULDBE THINKINGABOUT LINEARTV?
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