Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Envisioning the Hybrid Future of the Media Data Center

06/06/2025

By Simon Clarke, CTO, Telestream

The road ahead for most of the M&E industry points toward a hybrid reality. This shift from bespoke, isolated IT infrastructures to unified systems will combine the best aspects of cloud and on-premises technology.

Virtualization will play a central role in this future. By transforming hardware-driven processes into virtualized tasks that can be managed from anywhere, this new model drives efficiency without sacrificing operational control. Broadcast operations take a front-row seat in these developments, benefiting from AI tools to enhance workflows while maintaining the flexibility to deploy resources where and when they're needed most.

Telestream is joining forces with industry leaders like NVIDIA to promote this shift towards a data center-driven approach. Instead of maintaining separate on-prem and cloud-based systems, the goal is to treat everything whether local or remote like a unified, cloud-based data center. This enables organizations to streamline costs, boost efficiency, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive environment. The hybrid future is here and now is the moment to begin shaping it.

Future-proofing media data centers with a unified approach The separation between on-premise and cloud systems has long been a staple of IT infrastructure. Historically, organizations have chosen one or the other based on operational needs, security requirements, and cost considerations. But the signal is shifting. In fact, 60% of media and broadcast professionals believe that hybrid workflows, combining the best of on-premise and cloud technologies, represent the future of the industry.

Recent trends also indicate a growing interest in cloud repatriation, where workloads are moved from public clouds back to on-premise infrastructure. A recent Barclays CIO survey revealed that 83% of enterprise CIOs planned to repatriate some workloads in 2024, a significant increase from 43% in 2020.

In the M&E industry, today's distinct entities are converging into a unified model where on-premises systems adopt a cloud-like architecture, offering seamless integration between on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.

Why on-prem infrastructure is becoming cloud-driven Current on-premises and cloud systems often operate as separate silos with distinct engineering and management approaches. On-prem infrastructures are typically tailored for specific operations, while cloud systems are designed for scalability and flexibility.

Broadcasters are transitioning from traditional Serial Digital Interface (SDI) infrastructures to embrace Internet Protocol (IP) workflows. This shift enables seamless integration of cloud-based applications with existing on-prem systems. The adoption of SMPTE ST 2110 standards accelerates this evolution, streamlining remote production and enhancing system interoperability. These advancements lay the groundwork for a more flexible and scalable media ecosystem, equipping broadcasters to meet the demands of an increasingly dynamic industry.

Thanks to efforts by organizations like the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), frameworks such as the Distributed Media Framework (DMF) are helping the M&E industry streamline interoperability and scalability across systems. These innovations, combined with cutting-edge solutions from providers like Telestream and NVIDIA, are making hybrid infrastructure not only feasible but essential.

Let's explore how unified hybrid workflows are shaping the future of media operations to overcome traditional challenges unique to the M&E landscape.

One size does not fit all Each M&E workflow situation is unique. The key is for each organization and department to find the right balance for leveraging cloud innovations where they provide the most value. Consider a broadcaster equipped with on-prem infrastructure for live studio production. Instead of building new facilities in remote regions, they could rely on cloud-based tools for regional studios while managing centralized operations on-prem. This hybrid approach ensures consistent quality, scalability, and reduced costs compared to investing in additional physical infrastructure. The following are some common considerations.

Live production vs. cloud-based editing: Live production depends on low-latency, on-prem systems for real-time switching, while post-production often favors the collaborative flexibility of cloud-based tools. Hybrid workflows bridge the gap, ensuring real-time synchronization between live and cloud-based operations.

Archive storage vs. cloud media libraries: On-prem legacy systems excel at long-term archival storage, while cloud libraries offer instant access and smart indexing. Hybrid models enable efficient transfers between these systems, ensuring cost-effective and compliant storage solutions.

Play-out servers vs. OTT platforms: Linear broadcasters use reliable on-prem playout servers for frame-accurate content delivery, whereas OTT providers use flexible, cloud-based platforms for dynamic ad insertion. Unified workflows bring these technologies together to optimize operations.

Render farms vs. cloud rendering: On-prem setups offer predictable rendering capabilities, while cloud rendering provides scalable solutions for peak demands. A hybrid infrastructure balances both, ensuring cost efficiency and adaptability.

Broadcast engineering vs. cloud IT operations: Traditional broadcast engineers manage SDI-based infrastructure and handle hardware-centric troubleshooting, while cloud media workflows fall under the expertise of IT and DevOps teams. These teams rely on skills like API management and orchestration tools, often exposing cultural and operational divides between these domains. Bridging this gap requires careful workflow design to harmonize expertise across domains.

By recognizing these functional discrepa
LINK: https://kitplus.com/news/envisioning-the-hybrid-future-of-the-media-da...
See more stories from tvbay

Europe Stories

06/10/2025

France Tlvisions Wins Prestigious 2025 EBU Technology & Innovation Award in Groundbreaking Collaboration with Dalet

France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...

04/09/2025

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Dalet Win Prestigious 2025 NAB Show Project of the Year Award

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...

19/06/2025

Singapore Repertory Theatre Updates Their Space with Clear-Com's Arcadia Central Station

Home chevron_right News & Events chevron_right News chevron_right Singapore R...

19/06/2025

Fuse Audio Labs announce OCELOT Octaver

Combines octave-up and octave-down effects Described as a dual octave engine, the latest release from Fuse Audio Labs combines octave-down and octave-up eff...

19/06/2025

Fazioli F308 Essentials from VSL

Latest entry-level sample library announced VSL have just announced the launch of Fazioli F308 Essentials, a new, packed-down version of their library Synch...

19/06/2025

ICG's pick and mix at the Northern Marketing Festival

Fizzy peaches, banana millions, peach hearts? Or, put it another way: creative, marketing, digital? ICG was among the exhibitors at the Northern Marketing Festi...

19/06/2025

Fox Corporation Acquires Caliente TV in Mexico

Fox Corporation Acquires Caliente TV in Mexico FOX Expands its Sports Broadcasting Footprint in Mexico with the Acquisition of a Market Leading Streaming Chan...

19/06/2025

2025-06-18

Apple presents Big Man, a new short film shot on iPhone 16 Pro, produced in association with Somesuch and #Merky Films, directed by Academy Award-winning direct...

19/06/2025

Award winning comedy The Dry begins filming its final instalment for RT and ITVX

RT and ITV have today announced that filming is underway in Dublin on the third and final series of Element Pictures' award-winning 8 30' comedy drama ...

18/06/2025

RADAR Italia Celebrates 5 Years of Success With a New Class of Rising Stars

Since popping up in 2020, RADAR Italia has not only supported emerging artists but also reflected the cultural and musical richness of Italy. Over the past five...

18/06/2025

Why "Big Bang" Launches Are Holding Media Teams Back

Media asset management transformation isnt about replacing old technology with new technology. Its about transforming how people work. After analysing dozens of...

18/06/2025

Avid unveil Pro Tools 2025.6

Splice integration, Speech-to-Text & more The latest version of Avid's popular DAW software has just arrived, delivering a wealth of new features for bo...

18/06/2025

Sonicware release LIVEN Evoke

A nostalgia-evoking ambient music box Following on from the success of their LIVEN Ambient synth, Sonicware have announced the launch of their latest co...

18/06/2025

SES Announces Appointment of New CFO

Elisabeth Pataki, a progressive finance executive with over 20 years of experience at various publicly listed multi-national aerospace and defence companies, wi...

18/06/2025

VEON's Kyivstar Advances Direct-to-Cell Services With Starlink Integration and Regulatory Approval for Testing

18 Jun 2025 VEON's Kyivstar Advances Direct-to-Cell Services With Starlink ...

18/06/2025

The Trip returns: Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon embark on The Trip to the Northern Lights

The fifth instalment of the multi-award-winning Sky Original comedy from acclaim...

18/06/2025

Sky Original documentary Death of a Showjumper to air on Sky and streaming service NOW this July

Wednesday 18 June 2025 Today, Sky announced the brand-new Sky Original document...

18/06/2025

RT AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNOUNCE RT TOY SHOW APPEAL GRANT AWARDS 2025

To date the Toy Show Appeal has raised over 26 million since its inception in 2...

17/06/2025

How South Africa's Gen Zs Are Reshaping Maskandi Culture for a New Era

In South Africa, the rebirth and resurgence of the vibrant folk genre Maskandi has captured the attention of music fans, becoming the country's fastest-grow...

17/06/2025

Universal Audio launch Anthem Analog Synthesizer

New monosynth joins UAD virtual instrument line-up In addition to offering a catalogue of well-established collection of processing plug-ins, Universal Audi...

17/06/2025

Pulsar Audio introduce Vocal Studio

All-in-one vocal mixing plug-in announced Pulsar Audio have announced the launch of a new all-in-one plug-in that brings together a selection of vocal proce...

17/06/2025

Dreamtonics Synthesizer V gains Pro Tools ARA2 support

Update delivers tighter integration with Pro Tools timeline Dreamtonics have released an update that kits their innovative vocal synthesis plug-in out with ...

17/06/2025

OOMPH plug-in from Schulz Audio

Designed to maximise punch, clarity & impact The latest arrival in the Schulz Audio range is a powerful new dynamics plug-in that provides producers, engine...

17/06/2025

We need your opinion

We need your opinion Please help us improve our products, service and dealer support by taking this short survey (about 10 minutes). We would like to know: - ...

17/06/2025

Omiyinka Doris Chooses to Step Aside from VEON General Counsel Position

17 Jun 2025 Omiyinka Doris Chooses to Step Aside from VEON General Counsel Position Dubai, June 17, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON; the Company or VEON ), a ...

17/06/2025

VEON Appoints Vitaly Shmakov as Acting General Counsel

17 Jun 2025 VEON Appoints Vitaly Shmakov as Acting General Counsel Dubai, June 17, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON or the Co...

17/06/2025

Melanie Rumani, BBC Studios and UKTV Global Head of Acquisitions, passes away

London - Tuesday 17 June 2025: It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share the news that Melanie Rumani has passed away after a long battle with cancer. ...

17/06/2025

Sky exclusive film Hill coming to Sky and streaming service NOW from 2 July

Tuesday 17 June 2025 One name. Two world champions. In 1996, Damon Hill claimed the Formula 1 World Championship and cemented his place in motorsport history, ...

17/06/2025

R&S FSWP phase noise analyzer and VCO tester now supports up to 56 GHz and external signal sources

R&S FSWP phase noise analyzer and VCO tester now supports up to 56 GHz and exter...

17/06/2025

Riedel Communications Teams Up With GT Racing Team Garage 59

Wuppertal June 17, 2025 Riedel Communications Teams Up With GT Racing Team Garage 59Riedel Communications has partnered with U.K.-based endurance GT team Gara...

17/06/2025

LSi Reviews CORE+ and MicroLock

Read the review here!...

16/06/2025

Spotify's Brian Berner on Creativity, Connection, and What's Next for Advertisers at Cannes Lions

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is officially underway for...

16/06/2025

Francophone Content on Spotify Continues to Thrive Around the World

On Spotify, francophone content continues to cross borders at an unprecedented rate. In 2024 alone, more than 123 million listeners worldwide streamed audio con...

16/06/2025

Sub51 & Soundtrax announce Drop Pad 3

Instrument now boasts full NKS support Sub51 and Soundtrax have just announced the launch of an updated and improved version of their innovative sample-base...

16/06/2025

ALM/Busy Circuits launch Pip Filter & LFO

Two new compact 4HP modules introduced ALM/Busy Circuits have just announced the launch of two new Eurorack modules, the Pip Filter and Pip LFO, both of whi...

16/06/2025

Sky, Channel 4 and ITV announce joint intent to launch groundbreaking premium video advertising marketplace

Monday 16 June 2025 For the first time, small to medium sized businesses will b...

16/06/2025

VEON Announces USD 35 Million Share Buyback

16 Jun 2025 VEON Announces USD 35 Million Share Buyback Announcement marks the third phase of USD 100 million share buyback program Dubai, June 16, 2025: VEON...

16/06/2025

WWF and Sky Kids launch Wear it Wild with Ready Eddie Go!

Monday 16 June 2025 Families and children are invited to dress up, have fun and raise money to protect nature WWF UK and Sky Kids are teaming up to launch Wea...

16/06/2025

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S M3AR radio family reaches 10,000 unit milestone, demonstrating commitment to innovation and quality

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S M3AR radio family reaches 10,000 unit milestone, demonst...

16/06/2025

FOX Advertising Launches Enhanced Brand Storytelling Program with Strategic Investment in The Lighthouse

FOX Advertising Launches Enhanced Brand Storytelling Program with Strategic Inve...

16/06/2025

Run With Ray in Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Drogheda and Dublin as The Ray D'Arcy Show hits the road

Run with Ray is back! RT Radio 1's The Ray D'Arcy Show hits the road th...

15/06/2025

Music Production for Women free in-person workshops

July 2025 in Dublin, Berlin, Amsterdam & London Photo: Thea Martre Music Production for Women (MPW) have announced that they will be running a series of fo...

15/06/2025

Jason's Piano & API Drums instruments from Sulcata Sound

Composer/producer launches free virtual instruments Sulcata Sound is the latest venture of Jason Graves, a two-time British Academy Award-winnning composer,...

14/06/2025

MPW announce free in-person workshops

July 2025 in Dublin, Berlin, Amsterdam & London Photo: Thea Martre Music Production for Women (MPW) have announced that they will be running a series of fo...

13/06/2025

Materialists' Director Celine Song Reveals the Inspirations Behind the Film's Soundtrack

Photo credit: Atsushi Nishijima If you're a true lover of rom-coms, chances...

13/06/2025

Soulyft Audio release Chime

New iPad/iPhone synth App announced Following on from last year's release of Gradient Synth - which reached #6 on the App Store's Paid Music charts ...

13/06/2025

RT Seeks Expressions of Interest for on-air presenting roles on RT Radio 1 and RT News & Current Affairs Output

In fulfilment of a recommendation by the Government's Expert Advisory Commit...

13/06/2025

New FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer with novel architecture overcomes limits of todays analysis methods

New FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer with novel architecture overcomes limits o...