Telstra is launching a Global Media Switch that allows broadcasters and content creators to schedule, manage and distribute video in real-time across the world.
The IP-based professional video delivery platform provides customers with codec-level connectivity directly from the originating content source all the way to the broadcast destination. Global Media Switch can also be combined with Telstra’s Satellite Media Services.
Jim Clarke, Director of Marketing, Products and Pricing, Telstra Global Enterprise & Services, said Global Media Switch accommodates the significant transformation that the media landscape is experiencing, by offering greater control over media assets and ‘Codecs as a Service’ through a zero-capex pricing model.
“With new models of on-demand consumption and audience fragmentation, media companies have had to make some substantial changes to the way they acquire, distribute and manage media assets. In this new era, staying profitable requires fresh thinking and adaptive approaches to technology. With the Global Media Switch web portal, video contributors can take direct control of service booking, scheduling and delivery to broadcasters themselves in a cost effective way, and even advertise content to other media providers to further maximise revenues.”
In 2014, Telstra acquired Ooyala, a Silicon Valley-based provider of video streaming and analytics. Under the deal, Telstra will pay US$270 million to increase its ownership in Ooyala from 23% (fully diluted) to 98%. Telstra had previously invested US$61 million in Ooyala over the past two years.
Ooyala harnesses the power of big data to help broadcasters, operators and media companies build more engaged audiences and monetize video with personalized, interactive experiences for every screen. The analytics helps determine exactly which content should be presented to individual views. The streaming platform provides content management tools, fast transcoding and adaptive bit rate delivery to customized players. The company, which was founded in 2007 and is based in Mountain View, California, is forecasting revenue of US$65m for CY2014. The company has more than 330 employees worldwide and a global footprint of 135 million unique users in nearly 240 countries. Its customers include Telstra, ESPN, Univision, Telegraph Media Group, Dell, Sephora, Foxtel, NBC Universal, Comedy Central, News Corp and The Washington Post.
