Platform strategy now spans four business models at once: OTT, SVOD, AVOD, and FAST. This category covers recommendation engines, content discovery, CTV app experience, player SDKs, and the subscriber engagement data that tells you whether a feature actually worked.
Synamedia projects 2026 as an inflection point for multiview streaming, driven by live sports and scalable infrastructure. The technology is expected to evolve from a feature into a revenue-generating engine. This analysis comes from Synamedia's perspective as a provider in the streaming technology space.
The article profiles Netflix’s recognition as Broadcaster of the Year, highlighting how its UK originals slate underpinned the win. It notes the breakout success and cultural impact of the British drama Adolescence, alongside other UK-focused titles such as Grenfell: Uncovered, Love Is Blind (UK), The Thursday Murder Club, Dept Q, Black Doves, House of Guinness, and Toxic Town. The piece emphasizes that this is the first time a streaming service has received this broadcaster/channel award, underscoring Netflix’s growing role in the UK television landscape.
Comcast has launched a Peacock-branded 4K channel for its pay-TV subscribers that delivers live sports and other programming using its newly branded RealTime4K low-latency 4K format. The service uses low-latency DASH and Comcast’s own edge CDN to get latency close to over-the-air broadcasts, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos at about 30 Mbit/s, and is accessible via select Comcast 4K-capable set-top devices and the Xfinity Stream app without a separate Peacock subscription. Initial content includes NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl LX and select events from the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games, though Comcast notes the 4K business impact on subscriber retention and acquisition remains uncertain.
Streaming services are projected to spend $14.2 billion on sports rights in 2026, marking a 7% increase from 2025, according to Ampere Analysis. Prime Video is expected to become the top spender, allocating $3.8 billion (27% of the total), driven by its NFL and upcoming NBA deals, surpassing DAZN for the first time. Global generalist streamers like Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+ will collectively account for 44% of this spend, up from 31% in 2025.
VPlayed published a guide analyzing the strategic decision to either build or buy OTT software, projecting the global OTT market to reach $1 trillion by the early 2030s. The article contends that custom-built infrastructure offers advantages such as better long-term margins, greater control over roadmaps, and avoidance of revenue sharing and vendor lock-in common with licensed SaaS models. VPlayed positions its own platform as a solution for businesses opting to build their OTT software with flexibility and ownership.
Pluto TV will begin streaming all 11 seasons of "The X-Files" on January 1, 2026, making the series available on-demand and through a dedicated 24/7 linear channel. The new channel will feature a complete chronological run of the series and curated weekend marathons.
VPlayed has introduced a cloud-based solution for media enterprises and broadcasters to launch scheduled online linear TV channels. The platform provides tools for content acquisition, cloud transcoding, playout scheduling, and multiple monetization models including hybrid subscriptions and advertising. The article outlines an 8-step guide to creating an online linear TV channel using VPlayed's platform.
EY analysts advise telecom operators to transition from monolithic architectures to microservice-based systems using TM Forum's Open Digital Architecture. The transition aims to improve network operational efficiency, enable modular integration of AI tools, and facilitate faster service deployment for new revenue-generating applications.
Tubi has made all 70 episodes of the classic 1960s horror sitcom "The Munsters" available for free streaming starting October 1st. This aligns with Tubi's content update for October and precedes a planned reboot of the series by Universal Content Productions and Atomic Monster, with James Wan attached.
BroadView Software has launched new integrated media management workflows designed to unify linear and digital content operations. The system automates assets, metadata, and scheduling across platforms to reduce manual errors and improve monetization for broadcasters and streamers.
Starting September 20, 2025, WWE's Premium Live Events (PLEs) will stream exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming service, requiring an ESPN Unlimited plan priced at $29.99/month. This marks a shift from Peacock, which will no longer carry live WWE PLEs after August 31, 2025, though it will retain exclusive rights to four "Saturday Night's Main Event" specials per year and the WWE Network library through 2025, while WWE Raw moves to Netflix in January 2025.
Nine for Brands highlights 9Now as Australia's leading Broadcast Video on Demand (BVOD) platform, citing its strong audience reach with 15 million signed-in users and significant year-over-year growth in live streaming minutes. The platform emphasizes its strategic expansion plans for distribution and upcoming ad tech innovations for 2026, including FAST channels, new data products, and AI-driven creative ad variations.
Hydrolix provided FOX with real-time observability insights during the Super Bowl, processing 200 terabytes of data. This enabled FOX to monitor and analyze streaming performance during the live event.
MD Entertainment launched its new MDTV streaming platform using Imagine Communications' Versio platform. The deployment enabled the launch of MDTV within three months.
Apple is reportedly planning to integrate AI-powered search options from providers like OpenAI and Perplexity AI into its Safari browser, according to testimony from Apple executive Eddy Cue during an antitrust case against Google. This development could reduce Google's dominant position as the default search engine on Apple devices, a position for which Google currently pays Apple an estimated $20 billion annually. Cue also noted a recent decline in Safari searches, partially attributed to users shifting to AI search services.
Formula 1 (F1) launched a new F1 TV Premium subscription tier for the 2025 race season, leveraging AWS Media Services to deliver a multiview streaming experience. This new tier offers UHD HDR video, synchronized multiple camera feeds, and a customizable viewing layout made possible by timecode alignment, predictable encoding and packaging, and HEVC tile encoding. F1 aims to create an engaging experience for fans desiring increased data access, higher quality video, and personalized viewing options.
Prime Video will exclusively stream five NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026, including the Coca-Cola 600, as part of its live sports offerings. The broadcasts will feature AI-powered innovations like the "Burn Bar" and "Key Moments," and fan-friendly commercial formats including a double-box view and extended commercial-free racing at critical junctures. An in-app \"Shop the Race\" feature for official merchandise will also be available.
Bell Media is undertaking a multisite transformation project that aims to integrate cloud flexibility with operational control within its broadcasting infrastructure. The initiative is designed to enhance efficiencies and create new revenue streams for the broadcaster. This transformation indicates a move towards modernizing broadcast operations through a hybrid approach combining cloud technology with existing systems.
The article provides a guide on how to build a live streaming website similar to Twitch, outlining key features and technologies required for successful platform development. It emphasizes market analysis, user experience, monetization strategies, content security, and the role of white-label solution providers like VPlayed. The piece also projects significant growth for the live streaming industry, expected to reach $124.57 billion by 2025.
BroadView Software has launched a web-based version of its broadcast management solution, utilizing a single-tenant virtual private cloud architecture. This tool offers functional integration with media asset management systems and external platforms like Slack, enabling browser-based workflows for media professionals.
Tubi will premiere its new original horror-comedy film, 'Slay,' on March 22, 2024. The film features drag queens battling vampires, with a cast including Trinity The Tuck, Heidi N Closet, Crystal Methyd, and Cara Melle. Jem Garrard wrote and directed the Tubi Original production.
VPlayed has published an article detailing its video content management system (CMS) and offering guidance on choosing a suitable CMS platform. The integrated platform features AI-driven metadata tagging, multi-DRM security, built-in transcoding, and offers customizable source code access with a zero-fee revenue model for users. The article serves as both an informative piece and a promotional outline of VPlayed's solution.
This article highlights eight streaming platforms—VPlayed, Dacast, Muvi, Uscreen, OnTheFly, Vimeo, JW Player, and Castr—as top solutions for churches to live stream services and manage on-demand content. It details features like customization, content delivery networks (CDNs), monetization tools, and engagement features that enable religious organizations to expand their digital outreach and foster online communities. The piece emphasizes the benefits of church live streaming, including increased accessibility, flexibility, content archiving, and enhanced community engagement, positioning these platforms as essential tools for modern ministry.
This article compiles over 49 global OTT statistics from 2024 projections, detailing user base, revenue, and growth trends across various segments of the streaming industry. Key projections indicate the global OTT user base will reach 3.71 billion in 2024, with total industry revenue estimated at $295.40 billion.
This article outlines 10 essential features for building a successful OTT sports streaming business, including live streaming, video content management, and customizable platforms. It details the importance of technical elements like cloud transcoding, adaptive streaming, and Content Delivery Networks, along with business aspects such as global distribution, diverse monetization models, and robust security measures.
The article details the technical and operational differences between Over-The-Top (OTT) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). It highlights that IPTV relies on dedicated IP networks for content delivery, offering broadcast-like quality, while OTT uses existing internet infrastructure, providing versatility and cost-effectiveness. The piece aims to help businesses understand these distinctions for informed decision-making in the streaming industry.
Twitch has updated its sexual content policy and content classification system, now allowing previously prohibited content such as illustrated nipples and 'erotic dances,' while still restricting human underboob and requiring content labeling. The changes aim to clarify guidelines, prevent inconsistent enforcement, and address past disproportionate penalties against female streamers. Content with "Sexual Themes" will not be promoted on the Twitch homepage.
The article explains that most smart TVs use Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology to collect viewing data for targeted advertising, citing an estimated $18.6 billion spent on smart TV ads in 2022. It provides specific, step-by-step instructions on how to disable ACR and personalized ad targeting on Roku, Samsung, and LG smart TV platforms, noting the varying number of clicks required for each. The Markup positions this as a guide for consumers to gain control over their privacy settings on these devices.
Tubi has made over 600 episodes of 'Classic Doctor Who' from before the 2005 revival available for free streaming in the U.S. and Canada. The content includes 'Classic Doctor Who' and 'Classic Doctor Who: The Lost Animated Stories,' accessible on-demand and via a dedicated FAST Channel. The first serial, "An Unearthly Child," is not included due to rights disputes.
The article defines live streaming, detailing its technical workflow from content capture and encoding to segmentation, CDN delivery, caching, and playback. It highlights the benefits of live streaming including global reach and audience interaction, alongside challenges such as bandwidth issues and security risks. Key technologies like capture devices, encoders, streaming protocols (RTMP, HLS, SRT), CDNs, and video players are also explained.
VPlayed, a video streaming solution provider, promotes Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) as a profitable monetization model for businesses, predicting significant growth in SVOD revenues. The company highlights its own platform features designed to help clients implement and manage SVOD services, including custom plans and integrated paywalls. The article also differentiates SVOD from AVOD and TVOD and lists successful SVOD market players.
This article compares Apple TV and Roku, highlighting their user bases, features, and target audiences. Roku has grown to 80 million active accounts, while Apple TV has an estimated 50 million global users, with the article contrasting their hardware, ecosystems, pricing, and streaming capabilities.
This article analyzes Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV as content distribution platforms, comparing their ecosystems, monetization models, operational complexity, and analytics capabilities from the perspective of content owners. It highlights Apple TV's predictable governance and subscription alignment versus Fire TV's high reach, ad-supported flexibility, and rapid iteration for AVOD and FAST services. The piece concludes that the choice between platforms depends on a content owner's distribution and revenue strategy, with many leveraging both.
Experts identify Crunchyroll as the leading anime streaming service globally, citing its deep content catalog and long-standing presence, making it difficult for competitors like Netflix, Disney+, and AMC to challenge its market position. These larger streaming companies are noted for their increasing investment in the lucrative anime market to attract younger audiences.
Netflix's TechBlog introduces Marken, a scalable annotation service designed to attach metadata to various objects across different domains within the company. This service functions as an internal tool to manage and categorize data for Netflix's operational needs.
This article provides a preview of TiVo OS, highlighting its smart TV capabilities designed to streamline the streaming experience. The operating system aims to make sense of the various streaming options available to users.
This article from VPlayed serves as a guide for content owners on developing a Roku TV app, highlighting Roku's ecosystem with over 32,000 apps and 63.1 million active users. It outlines the benefits of creating a Roku channel, including audience reach and monetization opportunities via features like Roku Pay. VPlayed positions itself as a provider of dedicated engineering resources for building and maintaining custom Roku channels for clients.
VPlayed published a guide for developing Android TV applications, detailing UI/UX requirements like D-pad support and design principles. The guide emphasizes customized OTT solutions, various monetization models, and utilizes projections like 307 million domestic SVOD subscriptions by 2025 to highlight market opportunity.
This article explains linear TV, its characteristics (rigid schedule, real-time engagement, limited viewer control), and its contrast with OTT. It highlights Nielsen data showing linear TV viewership dropped below 50% in July 2023, while streaming reached a record 38.7%. The piece concludes by discussing the transformation of linear TV operators like Vodafone and Viacom18 to cloud-based infrastructure to integrate digital targeting and personalization.
This article from VPlayed, a white-label OTT solution provider, analyzes Netflix's business model and revenue streams, including SVOD, AVOD, content licensing, and live events, to highlight monetization and growth strategies for other OTT platforms. It details how Netflix maximizes revenue through tiered pricing, regional variations, password-sharing monetization, and scalable tech infrastructure like Open Connect. The article ultimately promotes VPlayed's platform as a solution for building a Netflix-style streaming service.
Amazon has acquired licensing rights from Sony Pictures Television to stream classic Norman Lear series, including "All in the Family," "227," and "Maude." These shows will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and IMDb TV, with some titles streaming for the first time ever, such as "Maude" and all nine seasons of "All in the Family."
Roku is launching "Premium Subscriptions" within The Roku Channel, allowing users to discover and subscribe to 25 partner streaming services directly through Roku's interface with one-click signup and unified billing. This new feature aims to simplify the subscription process for consumers and will debut in late January, offering a minimum seven-day free trial for all participating services.
VPlayed published a guide detailing the technical infrastructure and monetization models required to build a Video-On-Demand (VOD) website, including multi-DRM security, global CDN delivery, and hybrid monetization. The guide outlines a 10-step process for developing, launching, and growing a VOD platform, citing projected global VOD revenues of $786.10 billion by 2032. It also estimates the cost of building a custom VOD website between $25,000 and $100,000+.
Multiple streaming platforms and media companies, including NBCUniversal, YouTube, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Netflix, are focusing on advanced ad technologies and creator-driven content during their upfront presentations for 2026. This includes leveraging AI agents for ad businesses and emphasizing live events and Super Bowl placements to attract advertisers.
