A specific advantage a cloud based MAM offers is the de-coupling of services and functions that usually come bundled in monolithic systems. This allows broadcasters and content companies to handpick services that are most relevant to their workflows.
Migrating from legacy software and monolithic systems to the cloud has been a topic of debate for quite some time now, both in the broadcast industry and elsewhere. Many organizations, especially in the banking industry, have delayed the inevitable for years milking the lifecycle of software systems that was on its last legs. While an IT modernization project may incur a significant CAPEX, it is mitigated by lower OPEX in the long run if organizations choose to move away from monolithic systems. Nick Rockwell CTO of New York times recently acknowledged the cost benefits when the company announced its decision to move from its own servers to the public cloud. While companies are open to this, they are looking ahead to ensure that the end of every lifecycle doesn't mean project costs running into millions or billions of dollars and years to build.
MAM is dead, let's talk supply chain
In an excellent panel discussion led by Jon Folland at IBC 2015 titled MAM is dead, let's talk supply chain he examined why MAM systems are undergoing an identity crisis of sorts and how downstream consumer technology is influencing how content has to be created, managed and deployed upstream by broadcasters. In the broadcasting world, the move to tapeless workflows began around the turn of the century. However, most broadcasters who opted for monolithic systems did so because the way content was distributed and consumed was linear. The digital explosion of platforms and devices means consumption of content has evolved from a single device to multiple devices and screens. As a consequence, the broadcast industry is forced to keep pace with the way consumers adopt and use technology. In an industry that's in love with labels and definitions, MAM as a term has metamorphosed, from meaning something that controls and accesses digital assets, to a behemoth that is an umbrella term for a variety of functions, right from ingest to playout.
A monolithic MAM system typically comes bundled as a single offering and is usually installed on premise behind a firewall. While content and media assets are central to every broadcasters core operation, MAM systems continued to be a siloed system that was separate from the rest of the business. In most cases, it was shoehorned to work with other services through custom integrations. In order to accommodate the needs of different teams and functions, their UI's tend to become cluttered and overwhelming for users.
Looking at a specific advantage a cloud based MAM offers is the de-coupling of services and functions that usually come bundled in monolithic systems.
As stated above, the digitization of content and a globally dispersed network of teams, vendors and fulfillment partners, the case for installing a cloud or hybrid MAM as opposed to an on-premise MAM is gaining currency. Thanks to how digital natives like Netflix, who are not shackled by legacy systems in the same way as traditional broadcasters, have embraced the web and taken a cloud-first approach to content management. One caveat for Broadcasters is not to mistake a monolithic MAM deployed in the cloud to be the same as a cloud MAM. Advantages of a cloud infrastructure include the ability to scale, support multiple platforms, handle complex business requirements and shorten time to market. Looking at a specific advantage a cloud based MAM offers is the de-coupling of services and functions that usually come bundled in monolithic systems. This allows broadcasters and content companies to hand-pick services that are most relevant to their workflows.
To truly benefit from moving to the cloud it is important to take advantage of the flexibility in architecture that it offers. While this sounds easy in theory, it is quite difficult for both broadcasters and traditional MAM companies to implement in practice. The way software is built has changed and broadcasters and service providers need to shape up or ship out. Usually, this means building everything from scratch which can be a scary prospect for many. Instead of taking the baptism by fire route, we only need to look around to see how the digital natives are building their products and taking advantage of the cloud.
One practice that is gaining currency is the use of microservices. A successful example of microservices is Spotify . They have built autonomous full stack teams that are structured in loosely coupled parts. In addition to the advantages of cloud deployment mentioned above, a microservices approach offers ease in the ability to test, deploy, and version independently decreases the chance of large failures. Microservices are not without faults either. They make it harder to monitor and increase latency. It is also not a magic wand to wave away all the problems associated with a monolithic system. A poorly structured microservices approach could make things worse.
A poorly structured microservices approach could make things worse.
So what are the options available to companies looking to migrate content management from monoliths into the cloud/hybrid deployment? One solution as discussed above is the microservices approach. Another possible solution lies in centralizing all content into a single repository and building services around it. An indicative architecture is outlined below to explain the idea.
The repository is used as a resource and accessed by different apps. Apps are services created or customized to meet the requirements of specific departments or workflows. For example, a trailer production app, an app for ordering content, an app for Ingest and QC and an app for pl
Most recent headlines
11/12/2025
Dalet, a leading provider of cloud-native, end-to-end media workflow solutions, ...
28/11/2025
Nadia Fall attends the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Brides at the Egyptian Theatre on January 24, 2025, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Donyale West/...
28/11/2025
It's easy to ignore those little red update available badges. But when it ...
28/11/2025
WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission has released a tentative agenda for the December Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025 ...
28/11/2025
The Professional Fighters League is looking to super-serve fans of mixed martial...
28/11/2025
Fubo has released in beta on select Roku devices a new feature that lets users display up to four simultaneous streams at once....
28/11/2025
The WNBA playoffs and Week 4 of the NFL regular season highlight the list of live sports events airing on television this weekend....
28/11/2025
The 32nd class of honorees to the B+C Hall of Fame took to the stage at New York's Ziegfeld Ballroom on September 26 for a gala induction event. Click below...
28/11/2025
We hold in our hands the very last Next Text for Next TV, the weekly back-and-fo...
28/11/2025
DirecTV said it made a deal with EchoStar to buy EchoStar's video businesses, including satellite-TV provider Dish TV and virtual MVPD Sling TV, for $1 plus...
28/11/2025
The Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame, the premier industry event paying tribute to the influencers, innovators and shining lights of broadcast, cable and streami...
28/11/2025
Friday 28 November 2025
Sky Sports x Slawn drop limited-edition football jersey...
28/11/2025
Rohde & Schwarz shows resilience in a challenging environment, revenue exceeds t...
28/11/2025
Unwrapped: The Toy Show Appeal - airing this Sunday on RT One and RT Player- s...
27/11/2025
LONDON Vizrt has added several AI-driven advanced features offering improved speed, intelligence and accuracy in the newest version of its media asset managemen...
27/11/2025
Prime Video has launched AI-powered video season recaps in a beta version for select English-language Prime Original series in the U.S., a move Amazon is callin...
27/11/2025
Back to All News
Netflix's Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders Marks a Grand...
27/11/2025
27 Nov 2025
GSMA brings M360 Eurasia 2026 to Samarkand in partnership with VEON...
27/11/2025
Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle star in the gripping six-part Sky Original from Acad...
27/11/2025
Thursday 27 November 2025
Sky Arts Reveals the Nation's Greatest Basslines - and Queen Reign Supreme
The UK's most iconic basslines have been revealed...
27/11/2025
Back to All News
Stranger Things 5': Prepare for One Last Adventure With O...
27/11/2025
The media industry has a paradox at its core. It's an industry built on light, color and imagination, yet behind the scenes, it's powered by one of the ...
27/11/2025
Rating reflects rating progress across areas including policies, diversity & inclusion, health & safety and Net Zero leadership
Winchester, UK, 27 November 202...
27/11/2025
What are the industry standards for Retail Media? Kathryn explains that certification is based on the IAB Europe Retail Media Measurement Standards and the IAB ...
27/11/2025
World champion boxer and Irish sporting icon Katie Taylor will be in studio this...
27/11/2025
Roblox, one of the world's most popular online gaming platforms for primary ...
27/11/2025
Black Friday is leveling up. Get ready to score one of the biggest deals of the season - 50% off the first three months of a new GeForce NOW Ultimate membership...
26/11/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Prime Video EP Mike Muriano Previews Massive Black Friday Slate Fe...
26/11/2025
A cinematic snow sculpture at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. Photo by Randall Michelson...
26/11/2025
Book podcasts are booming. On Spotify, you'll find everything from celebrity book clubs to deep dives with bestselling authors. And in markets where audiobo...
26/11/2025
Mumbai, November 24, 2025: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, JioStar, in collab...
26/11/2025
LONDON Factual content producer ITN Productions has launched a new low-latency IP gallery for news bulletins....
26/11/2025
MIAMI TelevisaUnivision said it struck a new multiyear distribution agreement with YouTube TV that includes distribution of TelevisaUnivision's U.S. network...
26/11/2025
OpenDrives, Inc., a leader in software-defined data storage and data services, today announced the launch of the Atlas Corporate Creative Solution. This new Atl...
26/11/2025
Disguise, the industry-leading company powering the world's biggest live performances, is partnering with pioneering LED wall manufacturer DVS to give atten...
26/11/2025
HighField AI, the pioneer in agentic and multimodal automation for broadcast and media production, today announced the expansion of its global channel partner n...
26/11/2025
As high-stakes Premier League fixtures approach and additional premium content launches, with MONO positioning themselves to dominate Thailand's sports stre...
26/11/2025
Hosting a wide variety of events from high-intensity NHL games to complex live music concerts and major entertainment productions, Montreal's 21,000 capacit...
26/11/2025
Vizrt, the leader in live production technology revolutionizing viewer engagement and experience, releases AI-driven advances focusing on speed, intelligence, a...
26/11/2025
ITN Productions, an award-winning factual content producer, today launched a new low-latency IP gallery for news bulletins. Responsible for delivering a leading...
26/11/2025
Ikegami reports ongoing advances throughout 2025 in developing and delivering coordinated television production solutions that maximize quality, versatility and...
26/11/2025
Following the Nov. 21 blackout of NBCUniversal channels on Fubo, the two sides have traded barbs about their inability to reach a new carriage deal....
26/11/2025
LONDON As TV sports rights become increasingly important for both broadcasters and streamers, Ampere Analysis predicts global investment in the genre will surpa...
26/11/2025
LOS ANGELES Vubiquity said it has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Media & Entertainment Competency as part of the AWS Partner Network (APN). This designa...
26/11/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau said it has entered into a consent decree with Comcast calling for the cable company t...
26/11/2025
Berklee Named to the Hollywood Reporters Top Music Schools List The publication highlights the college's screen scoring program, industry partnerships, and ...
26/11/2025
Back to All News
Animated Series Love Through a Prism' Casts New Light on ...
26/11/2025
Back to All News
NALIP Unveils Fifth Cohort of Director Incubator
Social Impact
26 November 2025
United States
Link copied to clipboard
The National Assoc...
26/11/2025
YouView Achieves Greenly Gold Certification for SustainabilityNov 26, 2025
YouView is proud to announce a Gold Certification award from Greenly for our perform...
A specific advantage a cloud based MAM offers is the de-coupling of services and functions that usually come bundled in monolithic systems. This allows broadcasters and content companies to handpick services that are most relevant to their workflows.
