Broadpeak has announced a new Virtual Channel-as-a-Service application on its award-winning broadpeak.io software as a service (SaaS).
The fully managed, API-based platform enables cable operators, OTT service providers, content providers, and broadcasters to launch virtual channels quickly and easily – including pop-up channels and free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services to personalize viewer experience and drive new revenue.
“We’re excited to introduce this innovative application for our broadpeak.io SaaS, closing the user experience gap between social networks and traditional streaming platforms,” said Mathias Guille, VP Cloud Platform at Broadpeak.
“Virtual channels are an easy, affordable way for video service providers to add personalization, value, and revenue to their video streaming services.
“With our Virtual Channel as a Service, video service providers can help viewers find content they are passionate about, boosting their engagement and satisfaction.”
The broadpeak.io Virtual Channel-as-a-Service speeds up the creation of linear pop-up channels for live events, targeted audiences, and more.
With the app, video service providers can incorporate a mix of live, VOD, slate, trailer, and event content into their virtual channels.
The complete lifecycle of virtual channels is addressed programmatically through API, allowing operators to launch services rapidly without human intervention.
broadpeak.io also supports delayed live events and overtime, which is critical for streaming live sports content.
With the broadpeak.io Virtual Channel-as-a-Service, users can create a global schedule for each virtual channel, audience, and viewer to simplify streaming of regional and theme-based content.
The app leverages the cloud as well as Broadpeak’s advanced manifest manipulator, which is designed to scale on large platforms.
Enabling video service providers to create highly targeted pop-up channels, broadpeak.io maximizes engagement and ultimately increases CPM value and ROI.
In the future, Broadpeak plans to pre-integrate the Virtual Channel-as-a-Service with content recommendation engines to simplify the creation of reels for video service providers.
Using manifest manipulation, channels can be created on the fly without a full playout solution – omitting the need to upload or ingest content, or for media decoding and re-encoding.
This process results in a significantly lower carbon footprint, faster deployment, and savings.
broadpeak.io Virtual Channel as a Service is complemented by Broadpeak’s Content Replacement application.
The Content Replacement app was initially introduced as a Blackout API, but has since evolved, enabling operators to address a growing number of use cases such as the Emergency Alert System (EAS), simultaneous substitution (SimSub), watershed, regionalization, and pay-per-view.