have a problem in the feed, we will be notified and you can speak directly to us. It’s a whole extra level of service that is not widely available elsewhere.” DELIVERING EVENTS The platform has also been developed to complement the increasingly diverse and complex connectivity requirements broadcasters face. In the context of Telstra’s portfolio of network connectivity solutions, it means customers can choose the delivery method that works best for them in any given context – be it satellite, fibre or the internet. Additionally, by avoiding the need for dedicated connectivity between event sites and traditional broadcast facilities, IDN opens the door to more cost-effective productions – allowing budgets to be allocated to
other projects, including new content experiences, where it is imperative that financial risk is minimised. IDN’s latest version also takes account of recent developments in the use of media transport protocols – hence its support for the increasingly popular SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) technology, as well as RIST and Zixi. Designed to monitor and tune media delivery by responding to unpredictable latency, jitter, dropped packet and network congestion, the new IDN comes with a suite of online tools – allowing control of customer access and delivery, diagnostics and proofs of performance. With this array of online monitoring and management services, IDN represents another major shift in recent years – the increased level of remote and decentralised working. “These changes in the industry have definitely been on our minds,” says Petch. “Which is where the support for bring-your-own-device media edge and cloud connectivity comes into the picture. We don’t want to force our customers to have our edge.” He also stresses the benefit of an ‘event-based routing’ methodology, something bound to resonate with sports broadcasters in particular. “You can make one switch and affect the routing for, say, 300 or 500 takers, or manage incoming contributions and send them out
via our customisable routing. We also have a web-based dashboard, allowing customers to see the multiple projects they have going on at once.” DIRECT TO CONSUMER While it is likely that IDN will find a receptive audience for existing ‘linear’ broadcasters, it is also bound to resonate with federations and associations exploring the possibility of going direct to consumers for at least some of their content. Underlining the possibilities of its newly expanded connectivity portfolio, Telstra recently signed a five-year deal with the US National Hockey League that will see up to 1400 games distributed each year to viewers around the world. Telstra’s hybrid options will allow delivery to be adjusted in line with national or regional broadcaster needs. With plans to add a self-service bookings element, Petch has high hopes for the new IDN, as it prepares to make its IBC debut in September. “I think it will be ideal for host broadcasters of major sports events, but also newer companies in the market and other organisations experimenting with content services,” he says. “We can offer a higher-level tier of service than is currently out there – and with our managed service capabilities, find a real sweet spot in the market.”
MAXIMUM VALUE Telstra’s IDN enables video distribution of the highest quality
WATCH THIS VIDEO WITH QR CODE
LEARN ABOUT THE INTERNET DELIVERY NETWORK
@feedzinesocial
Powered by FlippingBook