One of the most notable effects of the ongoing ‘content boom’ has been the remarkable increase in demand for live content. From on-location news reporting to live sports and entertainment – there is no doubt that live content is a major pull factor for services old and new. So it’s only logical that live production processes have lately undergone a significant evolution.
Until fairly recently, live productions tended to follow a fairly similar approach, especially in sports. A flagship activity for many channels, live sports production has historically been a complex and costly enterprise involving multiple outside broadcast trucks and large crews. Relying on SDI connectivity meant that they had a dependable foundation technology, but one that was difficult to adjust at the last minute if requirements changed. Especially for the larger tournaments, production planning was carried out months in advance and absolutely nothing could be left to chance.
The number of major awards given to broadcasters such as the BBC and Sky Sports down the years for their live production work attests to the excellent results that were so often achieved with SDI-based infrastructures. But times change and so do viewer expectations.
In line with more people accessing more content in more ways – from traditional TVs to their mobile devices – viewer expectations have also grown significantly. To focus on sports again, the match-day ‘linear’ TV experience in which people get together to watch a big game is still a very important aspect of live production. But as mobile video has improved, so has demand for auxiliary content – from additional camera angles to instant replays and interviews. And, of course, that all heralds additional challenges from a live production perspective.
The future of live production is set to be transformed by the convergence of new technologies and rising viewer expectations. With content demands soaring, a new generation of IP live production solutions has arrived just in time to help broadcasters meet them.
From 5G-enhanced mobile streaming to the rising demand for 4K, 8K, and immersive formats like AR and VR, IP live production provides the flexibility, scalability, and resilience broadcasters need to deliver seamless, high-quality content to audiences across all platforms.
Now the industry is bracing itself for a further step-change in expectations thanks to the advent of 5G mobile networks. Already, with 4G mobile, viewers were able to enjoy a good standard of video experience – albeit one that could still fall victim to buffering at a crucial moment of a sports event! But the extra bandwidth provided by 5G in conjunction with a new generation of compression technologies means that, for many consumers, the mobile viewing experience will improve dramatically.
Of course, a more consistent and enjoyable viewing experience will result in a further surge in demand for content. It won’t just be HD content either; viewer interest in 4K is continuing to rise, and in the longer term we can expect big demand for higher-resolution formats (4K and 8K) as well as immersive streaming in AR/VR and 360 formats. Once again, this provides another significant area to be addressed by live production teams
Simultaneously, the migration of the industry towards IP is fuelling another trend –remote live production. This is a technique whereby the vast majority of tasks involved in an outside or distanced production actually take place at the broadcast center. By making the actual content capture the sole focus of outside broadcasting it’s possible to minimize the resources required on-site – including people and equipment. There is no doubt whatsoever about the future trajectory of viewer expectations, and in order to meet them in a manageable and cost-effective way, media companies will depend even more on live IP production to enable remote live production.
One of Europe’s Premier Basketball Leagues
Since adopting Net Insight’s Nimbra platform, the Spanish Basketball Championship has continually evolved, integrating the latest products and features from Net Insight.
The Championship’s broadcast network is robust and expansive, delivering thousands of hours of live sports content every year. Its reputation for flexibility and reliability is evident in the high-profile games and events it consistently broadcasts.
WHITE PAPER
As cloud production becomes an integral part of broadcasters’ live workflows, the corresponding cloud infrastructure becomes an integral part of the media transport network.
BLOG
Welcome to the seventeenth edition of Open Insight, our blog for investors. This is where you can find out more about our offering and market position, our progress, our challenges and our growth.
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What advantages does Net Insight’s Remote IP Live Production offer?
It provides flexibility, scalability, and low latency for live events, enabling production teams to manage broadcasts efficiently using IP technologies.
How does 5G impact Remote IP Live Production?
5G enhances the quality of mobile viewing, enabling broadcasters to deliver content with higher bandwidth and better compression technologies.
What role does Net Insight play in the future of live production?
Net Insight is at the forefront of the industry’s transition to IP live production, offering technologies that meet the rising demand for high-resolution content and immersive experiences.
How does Net Insight ensure low latency in IP live production?
Our IP technologies are designed to provide ultra-low latency, essential for successful live production.
Can Net Insight’s IP live production handle 4K and 8K formats?
Yes, our IP-based infrastructure supports a range of production formats, from SD to UHD, including 4K and 8K.
