Swiss TXT, the multimedia subsidiary of Swiss public broadcaster SRG, is developing a new version of its video delivery platform for event organisers, media companies and TV broadcasters.
The European Commission is supporting the three-year project. According to Swiss TXT, the new platform will promote quality journalism, and allow the public to get involved via social media.
The platform will be based on blockchain technology, which enables data to be hosted and transmitted locally. The technology means that the platform is cloud-enabled, and permits participating media companies to keep their multimedia content in house. Blockchain technology also facilitates digital rights management (DRM), with billing handled using a token mechanism, according to Swiss TXT.
The platform, based Swiss TXT’s proprietary media-hub system, will handle content aggregation and the mastering, transcoding and distribution of multimedia content. Workflows can be fully automated and include video library management.
The Reporter app, jointly developed by ZDFdigital and Swiss TXT, will enable the general public to produce and distribute multimedia content in future, using their mobile phones. It will also be possible to stream content live. The platform will include a range of content production modules for social media, encouraging direct news and event coverage by members of the public.
The prototype next-generation video delivery platform will be developed and operated by Swiss TXT and Atos in collaboration with research centres and universities from Europe (VTT, Grassroots, the University of Passau, UAB Barcelona, Ethniko Kentro, Nagiin, Atos Spain, the University of Valencia, the University of Helsinki and the University of Pisa).
The project will begin in January 2019 with the design phase; the platform is to be operational as of 2021.