A Hybrid Cloud Solution for Fast Deployment for Temporary Channels

Temporary or “pop-up” channels can present a unique situation for broadcasters: How to avoid capital expenditures for something temporary and that may not be needed ever again or for a significant period of time.

The choice to be totally on-premises, totally in the cloud or a hybrid solution should always be based on what is best for your budget, operations and workflow. In this article, we’ll look at the role of hybrid cloud – the combination of on-premises and cloud usage – for the fast deployment of these temporary channels.

Keeping in mind the vast investments made by many leading companies in cloud resources present a great range of choices in the broadcast industry. Striking a balance of industry-leading cloud innovations, while using the best of on-prem technology is how Aveco practices the state-of-the-art in a hybrid solution, both permanent and temporary. Our MCR automation solution – ASTRA MCR – is a great example.

Looking at all options and costs, going to a hybrid cloud solution for your entire master control automation can prepare you for when the need arises to pop-up a channel quickly. That’s because these channels will operate no differently than your permanent channels. To the MCR operator, there’s no difference – once the channel is configured, it’s seamless. As a side note, the same would be true using the cloud for disaster recovery.

The ASTRA MCR automation platform is designed for playout on-premises, in the cloud and in hybrid operations. Our cloud platform uses Harmonic VOS, which is designed for live broadcast origination and distribution.

It may be cliché, but ASTRA MCR’s hybrid solution truly delivers the best of both worlds – on-prem and cloud – from one user interface.

Operators on the ground (meaning on-prem or even remotely) know the channels they're running are both on-prem on-air and also on-cloud on-air, with a user interface designed for this innovative style of operation – no switching of screens between on-prem and cloud channel control screens.

From a cost perspective, hybrid combines both CapEx and OpEx in the same system for more financial flexibility with temporary (as well as permanent) channels. Hybrid is a great way to run a large-scale broadcast operation that also needs to occasionally bring temporary channels to air or as OTT channels.

As is always said: “The right tool for the right job,” and ASTRA MCR with Harmonic VOS hybrid operations is clearly the right tool for fast temporary channel deployment.

Meet Aveco at SET EXPO show in August, LineUp’s booth No. 45 A, and at IBC in September, booth i#2.B49.