BY STAN MOOTE

OTT and IP driving new business models ; pixels for better storytelling

While at BroadcastAsia2016 , you ’ ll want to see exhibitors ’ new products and service offerings and take in the conference sessions to keep up with the latest trends . Relating these to what is happening in Hollywood is a great way to help build and improve your business models .

The HPA Annual Tech Retreat , located in Indian Wells , California , USA , has folded in with SMPTE ( the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers ), and HPA is now known as the Hollywood Professional Association .

Here ’ s my summary of the headlines ; although this is a US gathering , our industry is now very much global , and the ramifications will be felt just as much in Asia-Pacific as elsewhere in the world .

OTT getting on top

The Hollywood post business has been struggling for a while , with new media and delivery formats quoted as the reason . Now , the newer Internet media entrants are seriously producing content — mainly episodic . Over-the-top ( OTT ) and subscription-video-on-demand ( SVoD ) have created binge watching , which is leading to a new approach for post activity .

Rather than releasing weekly or bi-weekly episodes in a linear manner , they are frequently all released at once . Hence , there is no reason to have the production work done in the order of the episodes . Shooting and post can be totally non-linear ; the aim is to deliver the bulk package of all the episodes in the most efficient manner and shortest time-scales .

This has been key in enabling the recent successes of the newer , bulk OTT delivery services . Rather than sit back and see the binge watchers being taken away from your viewership numbers , make plans for how to capitalise and augment this trend .

Adding to the complexity of new distribution methods and viewing devices , programmes often need hundreds of different delivery profiles after the basic post work has been completed .

Binge watching is leading to a new approach for post

These range across different formats , pixels , high dynamic range ( HDR ), frame rates , audio tracks and mixes and often , with unique localised cut-ins too . Understanding and giving your audiences different options will make you stand out among your competitors .

Staying in the game

Talking of localised cut-ins , the impact of OTT and SVoD is being felt everywhere in the world . However , it is clear that there is still very much a place for traditional broadcasting , which provides a uniquely local angle and interest for viewers .

The challenge for all is how to embrace new delivery models and fractured audiences while still returning a profit .

The transition to IP helps with this , providing increased efficiency , flexibility and new tools . When I discuss the transition to IP , I certainly am not implying you need a full IP facility today . Adding in IP equipment , areas and processes within your SDI plant will meet your demands of today , and help migrate you into the future .

Be sure to read Part 2 in tomorrow ’ s Show Daily and learn more about IP , better pixels — and not more pixels , and how imaging standards are often no longer relevant . ❑

Stan Moote is CTO of the International Association for Broadcast and Media

( IABM ). For further reading on this topic , visit www . theIABM . org .

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