The Switch launches cloud-based TV Production-as-a-Service to deliver industry's most flexible and comprehensive live production platform

The Switch launches cloud-based TV Production-as-a-Service to deliver industry's most flexible and comprehensive live production platform posted: 28/05/2020

Takes live production to the cloud to feed demand for remote production of live TV, virtual events and social media engagement

The Switch, the platform for the production and global delivery of live video, has launched MIMiC, an on-demand cloud-based production-as-a-service offering that gives broadcasters, streaming services, rights holders and enterprises access to remote production capabilities for live and virtual events of all sizes. Content producers can now leverage The Switch's unique combination of agile cloud production capability and global network reach to cost-effectively meet increasing demand for efficient and flexible broadcast quality production and for social media engagement for any live event.

Cloud Production-as-a-Service has a strong synergy with our existing traditional and REMI production services. The launch of MIMiC underscores The Switch ethos of ensuring unmatched levels of service and giving our customers the ability to produce and deliver high quality content wherever they are in the world. This service is all the more timely in a world clamoring for the return of live sports & entertainment, but equally aware of our new obligations for limited travel and social distancing, says Eric Cooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Switch.

The launch of MIMiC reflects the fact that, in a multidevice world, viewers are no longer tied to the TV screen to watch sports or other live content. Streaming and social media are increasingly driving viewer engagement. One in five sports fans around the world now look for content on social media - an uptick of 45 percent in the last three years, according to GlobalWebIndex. At the same time, rights holders are seeking ways to more efficiently meet the seemingly insatiable demand for live content.

MIMiCempowers our TV and enterprise customers to capitalize on new revenue opportunities and reach audiences across more platforms, says Robert Szabo-Rowe, The Switch's Senior Vice President of Product Management. Sports leagues and other big event producers will benefit from the added flexibility to deliver livestreams and packaged content to social media, while this type of ultra-agile, end-to-end offering also meets our enterprise and esports customers' need for flexible, scalable production capability that can easily adapt to a range of event formats.

MIMiC delivers the convenience of a complete end-to-end service, and is available as a flexible on-demand as-a-Service' offering that includes remote IP-video contribution, production and clipping tools, and distribution. As well as providing increased engagement across social media, this latest addition to The Switch's portfolio opens up broadcast quality live production for smaller, niche sports events and ad-hoc or one-off live event production, removing the cost and complexity which can burden traditional production models.

All aspects of the production workflow, from editing and graphics creation, to comms and talk-back, is handled in the cloud, while distribution via over-the-top (OTT) services or The Switch core network ensures live streams can reach viewers globally on their platform of choice. Key features include support for sports data feeds, contribution connectivity, contribution encoding equipment, program distribution and production staffing.

The service is on-demand - always available and no need to book - making it incredibly convenient, notes Szabo-Rowe. For customers already using our transmission network, we can seamlessly deliver their content into the cloud so that it is ready to use across secondary digital productions and social media. The Switch is now the go-to service provider for live production across the full spectrum of event formats - from global sports spectacles to esoteric live events.

About The Switch

In the action-packed world of live video production and delivery, The Switch is always on and always there - setting the industry benchmark for quality, reliability and unmatched levels of service. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in New York, The Switch has been connecting viewers around the world to live events for almost three decades, bringing them the content they want across linear TV, on-demand and streaming platforms - on multiple screens and devices.

Our comprehensive production platform combines mobile and remote services to enable our customers to cost-effectively capture, edit and package compelling high quality live coverage. Our delivery network connects production facilities with 800+ of the world's largest content producers, distributors, and sports and event venues, seamlessly linking rights holders, broadcasters, streaming platforms, media outlets and web services - and turning-on live content across the world.

LINK:	https://www.live-production.tv/news/products/switch-launches-cloud-bas...
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