Michael Wagenhofer, CEO of Austrian broadcast specialist ORS, on the development of new global markets, cloud-based video solutions for the media industry with new partner Insys VT and the 5G Broadcast technological revolution. Deutsch
What does the modern future of broadcasting look like and how will ORS Group play its part?
End-to-end services on all traditional and new levels! Traditional, linear broadcasting will continue to play an important role, especially when it comes to informing the population about current events or providing live access to sporting and cultural events. However, transmission technologies via the Internet Protocol (IP) enable an ever-increasing variety of offerings that can also be used non-linearly, ie independently of a predetermined programme schedule. As in the traditional broadcasting market, ORS is also working intensively on being able to offer end-to-end services in this growing IP/streaming ecosystem.
Is the investment in the Polish software company Insys Video Technologies related to this?
Exactly. We assume that the transition to IP-based distribution will also take place in traditional broadcasting transmission channels over the course of the 2030s. We need to be prepared for this. The combination of broadcast expertise with world-class know-how in the field of cloud streaming, which our investment in Insys VT brings, is a unique selling point on the market, not only in Austria but also internationally. Building on the success of our core business in Austria, we therefore intend to pursue a course of growth in international markets with innovative hybrid broadcast and IP services.
What products and solutions can the ORS Group offer in the area of streaming?
Among other things, ORS operates the Austrian parliament’s Mediathek (streaming service), which allows plenary sessions of the National Council and the Federal Council to be followed live or on demand. Other prominent customers include the Benfica Lisbon football club. The Portuguese sports club’s international customer portal is based on a cloud-native platform that was implemented in just four weeks as an alternative to an in-house solution.
Next week, the ORS Group will be represented together with Insys VT for the first time at ANGA COM in Cologne. What can trade fair visitors expect?
Together with Insys VT, the IP specialists from ORS will be presenting the latest cloud-based solutions for broadcasters and the media industry. These include complete white label TV-over-the-Internet solutions in broadcast quality. With a new “TV as a Service” solution from the ORS Group, cable network operators and broadcasters can implement their own video platform that supports the streaming of TV channels to multiple end devices. Modular and flexible tools for transcoding, live streaming and digital rights management (DRM) will also be shown as a demo. Cloud services guarantee a high level of content security thanks to numerous encryption and security functions such as watermarks, geo-blocking and geo-fencing. They are also scalable, flexible and enable a rapid market launch, as can be seen from the example of Benfica Lisbon. And they enable quick access to new services such as AI-supported functions that can be used immediately in the cloud.
Innovation in the broadcasting industry is always exciting. Which topics are currently driving innovation?
Definitely 5G Broadcast, because like any technology, broadcasting must constantly prove its ability to innovate in order to remain relevant as an ecosystem for users and investors. This also applies to terrestrial television, for example, which will also undergo a transformation towards IP. The driver of innovation in this context is 5G Broadcast – an IP-based transmission standard that will bridge the gap between the DVB and IP worlds. With 5G Broadcast, linear content such as live events can be transmitted directly to mobile devices via broadcasting – without a mobile network or SIM card.
And will it actually be a reality by 2025? What is the current status of 5G Broadcast and what challenges does it pose?
5G Broadcast is being tested even more intensively internationally this year at major live events and is to be rolled out commercially in stages from 2025. The forward-looking frequency decision at the World Radio Conference in Dubai in 2023 is a great support and basis for this, as is the necessary investment security!
We are currently facing the challenge of coordinating the harmonisation between the countries in Europe and ensuring that all system components are ready for use. Last year’s Memorandum of Understanding between key European broadcasters was an important step in the right direction. The task now is to coordinate the individual interested broadcasters and network operators at European level and to hold results-orientated talks with equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and chip set manufacturers.
What are the next steps this year? Integration in apps?
We expect some countries to show impressive applications of 5G Broadcast at events such as the Olympic Games and the UEFA EURO. As ORS, we are focusing on preparing the introduction of the handsets and planning the first rollout. We are also working on a project to make it easier for broadcasters to integrate 5G Broadcast into their apps.
Rollout, commercial offers and further development of 5G Broadcast – a big task in a competitive market.
Yes, as mentioned, the first rollouts in Europe are planned for 2025, with the major cities likely to be covered first. However, it will take some time until a sufficient number of end devices are on the market, and the first commercial offers will gradually be introduced and expanded. The direction is right for the ORS Group over the next few years.
Further information
At ANGA COM, ORS CEO Michael Wagenhofer will talk about the future of video distribution, 5G broadcast and cloud-based OTT solutions as part of the panel “New Standards: The Future of Video Distribution”.
Where: ANGA COM, Innovation Stage, Hall 7
When: Thursday, 16 May 2024, 12:30 pm
Visit the ORS Group and Insys VT at their stand at ANGA COM!
Where: Koelnmesse, Hall 7+8/Congress Centre North
Streaming & OTT Hub 6 in Hall 7
When 14 – 16 May 2024
