At IBC 2024, Simplestream is showcasing enhancements to its Channel Studio and Livestream Scheduler products, designed to help broadcasters, sports organizations, and content owners improve monetization, audience engagement, and live viewing figures.
Simplestream is demonstrating its preferred technology partnership with Freely, the new free, live, and on-demand streaming service from the UK’s public service broadcasters (BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV). By onboarding several channels onto the Freely platform, Simplestream has simplified the process with an efficient end-to-end workflow. This includes acquiring channels from various sources, encoding and normalizing content, packaging into DVB-DASH format, implementing channel tags, and applying CDN as standard.
Channel Studio Demonstrations
At the show, Simplestream will present its Channel Studio, which now allows operators to combine VOD assets and livestreams within the same playlist. Users can add live event placeholders that the scheduler identifies, switching to live input during regular programming. The playlist, once filled for a 24-hour slot, is syndicated to AWS Elemental MediaTailor to create a virtual channel and connect scheduled live events within Simplestream’s Media Manager. With optional server-side ad insertion (SSAI), operators can deliver unique ads to each user, providing new revenue streams and comprehensive ad performance metrics.
Livestream Scheduler Features
Simplestream will also highlight its Livestream Scheduler, a cloud application for managing multiple event data on a single platform. Initially provided to TELUS in 2023, the enhanced Livestream Scheduler allows the distribution of live events across digital platforms. The self-service solution offers scalability for media companies of all sizes. Licensed to platform providers, the interface allows live content providers to manage events and streams in a cloud-based environment, reducing errors and enabling unlimited expansion of content providers.
New Client Project
Simplestream will announce a significant new project with a major client, providing a full set of OTT services across multiple platforms starting in Q3 2024.
Simplestream’s demonstrations at IBC2024 illustrate its commitment to advancing live streaming and monetization capabilities for broadcasters and content owners.
About Simplestream
Simplestream, founded in 2010, is a leading provider of over-the-top (OTT) video services for broadcast and media companies. The company offers a range of products, including CatchupTV, Media Manager, TVPlayer, and Synapse, which streamline the operation of cross-platform online video services. Simplestream specializes in live streaming, video-on-demand (VOD), and mobile video, with solutions optimized for live sports, teleshopping, music, and entertainment sectors. Their cloud-based services are powered by partnerships with Amazon AWS and Level3 Global CDN.
About Freely
Freely is a new streaming service launched by Everyone TV, a joint venture owned by the UK’s leading public service broadcasters—BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. Freely allows users to stream live and on-demand TV content for free, directly through smart TVs, without the need for a dish or aerial. The service includes live channels from these broadcasters and their on-demand content, providing a seamless viewing experience with features such as pause and restart for live TV.
About IBC 2024
IBC 2024, the International Broadcasting Convention, will take place from September 13th to 16th at the RAI Amsterdam. This event is a leading global platform for the media, entertainment, and technology industries, bringing together professionals to explore innovations, trends, and business opportunities.
News source: Simplestream
