AWS media edge adds 14-day time-shifted viewing for live streams

This update reduces the architectural friction between live delivery and catch-up services, a critical edge for broadcasters competing with native VOD platforms. By extending the window to 14 days, AWS allows operators to bypass complex external recording workflows for shorter-tail catch-up rights. For the ecosystem, this moves 'Live-to-VOD' from a separate post-process to a native function of the packaging tier, potentially reducing storage overhead and egress costs. Watch for whether high-concurrency sports streamers adopt this for instant-replay features, testing MediaPackage's throttling limits during peak event spikes.

The expansion of MediaPackage’s DVR-like capabilities follows a trend of increasing cloud-native media integration among hyperscalers. According to CRN in May 2026, AWS maintains a leading 28% global cloud market share, though it faces consistent pressure from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, which held 21% and 14% respectively in Q1 2026. This technical maturation is exemplified by major media partnerships; per The Desk in April 2026, Fox Corporation designated AWS as its preferred AI and cloud provider to power 'Fox One,' a platform integrating MediaLive, MediaPackage, and MediaTailor. This collaboration specifically targeted features like automated highlight generation and ‘catch-up’ viewing, which were utilized during global events like the FIFA World Cup.

Furthermore, the evolution of packaging services reflects a broader industry shift toward edge-optimized delivery and latency reduction. Synergy Research Group reported in November 2025 that enterprise spending on cloud infrastructure exceeded $100 billion quarterly, with media and entertainment being a primary driver of high-bandwidth growth. Major industry events like IBC 2025 showcased the integration of the Time-Addressable Media Store (TAMS) API with AWS services to streamline how live content is replicated and monetized in near real-time. This 14-day window update specifically addresses the 'long-tail live' requirement that has become a standard expectation for premium OTT subscribers in the European and North American sports markets.