Cloud-Based Live Linear Solutions

Together, Frequency and AWS provide channel operators with a powerful toolset for creating and operating broadcast-quality channels in the cloud to a global audience at tremendous scale.

Frequency Studio’s cloud linear channel operation and distribution solution is built seamlessly within the AWS platform, leveraging MediaServices as an essential component of the core platform functionality. By combining Frequency’s user-friendly tools and advanced automation with a deep integration to AWS' scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure, we offer a complete solution that simplifies content management, scheduling, motion graphics, ad insertion, and stream health monitoring to deliver 24/7 linear programming.

Workflow Overview

Ingestion

Frequency media asset ingestion pipeline supports asset delivery via AWS S3 watch folders, MRSS, and custom API integration.

Scheduling

Consumer focused scheduling tools provide flexible control to create programming which seamlessly switches between sources for VOD programs, live events, short form playlists and automated programs using easily repeatable formats for ad pods and interstitials.

Playout

Frequency helps customers scale their linear channels business utilizing cloud-based encoding infrastructure and dynamically rendered motion graphic overlays.

Monetization

Enablement of channel monetization through automated cue point detection, rich asset metadata for targeting, and ad insertion.

Distribution

Secure delivery of channel streams via HLS and industry standard UDP protocols.

Reporting

Channel end-user consumption data compiled and visualized in the cloud plus real-time system monitoring of the entire content pipeline from ingestion to playout.

Case Study

Challenges

Scripps Networks had licensed their cable networks with traditional ad loads to FAST platforms that required significantly lower ad loads. Scripps Networks needed a distribution solution that transformed their channels’ ad loads to be in compliance with the platforms ad policies.

Solution

Frequency developed an HLS Manipulation solution that would introspect the input stream’s ad pods against the platform ad policy and then retime or remove the ad pod by replacing the identified parts of the stream with short-form interstitial VOD content provided via an MRSS feed and editing the stream’s SCTE-35.

Results

The resulting channel outputs were fully compliant with the platforms’ ad policy with a seamless player experience, allowing Scripps Networks to maximize monetization on other platforms while meeting their obligations with the platforms mandating lower ad loads.

Workflow

Ingestion

AWS S3

Ingestion is supported utilizing AWS S3 buckets for asset ingestion via watch folders, video package detection, and metadata parsing of provided manifest files.

MRSS

XML parsing of inbound MRSS formats through Frequency’s content ingestion and normalization pipeline.

API

Frequency can create custom integrations with external content workflows utilizing public API endpoints.

Scheduling

VOD

Easily package movies, episodes, specials with frame accurate ad pod and interstitial placement into saved programs for reuse. Further support is provided for dynamic interstitials allowing for automatic placement of promos and idents based on business rules.

Live

Seamlessly switch between scheduled VOD and live programming. Live can be managed by scheduling in advance complete with fallback content or ad hoc as required.

Playlists

Short-form content can be created into scheduled programming blocks with automated ad break insertion based on defined ad loads.

Automation

Frequency provides program scheduling automation capabilities for both series and playlist content sourcing based on business rules, including latest, shuffle, do not repeat, and support for backup content. Programs can be executed as far in advance as desired and up to 15 minutes before playhead, dynamically generated based on user-defined business rules.

Playout

Channel Output

24x7 cloud-based live linear streams are powered with AWS MediaLive through any number of supported live video protocols, such as HLS, RTP-FEC, and RTMP.

Motion Graphics

Motion graphic overlays are dynamically generated utilizing metadata from assets scheduled in your channel schedule based on custom compositions. Graphics are created automatically at four defined triggers - program start, program end, ad start, and ad end.

Monetization

Cue Point Detection

Frequency’s proprietary break detection service runs in AWS environments with the capability to detect potential cue points across hundreds of assets simultaneously. Allowing operators to find cue points for an entire library in a matter of minutes, with a minimum threshold of a single frame of black or audio silence.

Asset Metadata

Frequency inserts asset metadata into the stream to facilitate contextual advertising experiences.

SSAI

Frequency supports SSAI via AWS MediaTailor through VAST compatible ad tags, including client-side beaconing and asset-level dynamic macros.

Distribution

HLS via CDN

Frequency delivers HLS outputs from AWS MediaLive encoders to our edge CDN via Amazon CloudFront.

Secure with DRM

Frequency utilizes MediaPackage and AWS SPEKE to integrate with DRM Key Management providers and encrypt HLS streams for enhanced stream security.

Transport via UDP

Utilizing AWS MediaConnect Frequency delivers MPEG-TS streams via industry standard UDP protocols including SRT, RTP-FEC, and Zixi.

Reporting

Performance Analytics

Frequency provides analytics across content performance and scheduling, advertising and distribution. Metrics are compiled utilizing Amazon Redshift and visualized by Amazon QuickSight

Monitoring

Providing monitoring for the entire content pipeline, Frequency gives real-time visibility into your channels business. Tracking everything from content ingestion to upcoming schedule gaps and down to any quality issues with your channel performance.