Author: Simon Trudelle, Sr. Director Product Marketing
In addition to the challenges pay-tv service providers face in maximizing device reach, there are also several complex technology-based challenges that need to be considered to ensure the delivery of a high-quality video product. One of them, and not the least, is the selection of a reliable OTT streaming standard to provide an optimal solution in a complex and fragmented environment.
NAGRA has significant expertise in this area being involved in the DASH standardization effort as well as being the lead editor of the recently released content protection information exchange format (CPIXF), a specification that allows DRM license service providers to perform easier pre-integration with other components of the streaming backend such as encoders and CDNs, hence delivering significant cost savings while improving time-to-market and agility. In our latest post, we look at the different standards and new alternatives and how service providers can leverage them to make the most of their OTT service.
Standards and Fragmentation: No Panacea
Video streaming over the Internet has evolved tremendously over the past decade. Adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming formats such as Apple HLS and Microsoft HSS have emerged, along with AES encryption and interoperable DRM products. Despite this, there has been considerable fragmentation in the streaming formats and DRMs that are implemented on specific devices, creating the need to re-encode and re-encrypt content several times in order to reach as broad a range of devices as possible. While more recent origin servers allow to re-encrypt content on the fly, hence removing the need for ever-increasing storage, having to deal with many different versions of the same content still adds operational complexity.
The video and pay-TV industries have tried to confront this situation by creating a common format through the DASH Industry Forum, created in 2012. The vision here involves the combination of the DASH adaptive bitrate streaming format with the CENC common encryption scheme for protecting content.
In addition, feature fragmentation both from a DRM and Video Player perspective are also an issue. Indeed, while modern browsers include a video player and support for a DRM, the supported feature set varies from one browser to another. For instance, one given subtitle format supported on one browser is not on another.
SERVICE PROVIDERS SHOULD ASSUME THE CONTINUATION OF A FRAGMENTED MARKET AND PLAN TO PROVIDE AN ABSTRACTION LAYER - IN THE FORM OF A SECURE PLAYER SOFTWARE CLIENT - TO MANAGE THE DIFFERENT STANDARDS AND PLATFORMS. - S. Trudelle
DASH and CENC as New Alternatives
CENC allows encr yption to be done once, with decryption performed across multiple DRM clients as required. In theory, this allows a substantial reduction in the complexity of both content preparation and packaging workflows. A single secured file can be played out across multiple devices which each support a specific DRM client product.
In practice though, fragmentation remains extensive. Apple, for instance, imposes its own HLS streaming standard on its devices and has not yet adopted DASH. In addition, some legacy CE devices with older generation browsers do not natively support DASH and rely on NPAPI Microsoft or Adobe plug-ins to play back DRM-protected content. Moreover, the different options that one can select within the DASH specification can also lead to fragmentation, as the specification provides the choice of several audio codecs, different encryption schemes and other specific features.
The positive news is that DASH has started to replace legacy Microsoft HSS and Adobe HDS formats and is expected to become the industry standard ABR format. The very nature of next-generation streaming standards is to decouple the file format from the actual DRM used and ensure that multiple DRMs can coexist.
Indeed, we can expect to see more devices emerge with their own native DRM when it makes sense for the device vendor.
Planning for Evolving Standards: Staying Pragmatic
The technology industry is notorious for defining standards that take several release cycles to dislodge previous-generation technologies. In this context, it would be wise for service providers to take a pragmatic stance and consider that standardization is always likely to be a highly desirable outcome rather than a sure reality. So they should assume the continuation of a fragmented market and plan to provide an abstraction layer - in the form of a secure player software client - to manage the different standards and products.
To find out more about selecting an OTT standard and which one would be best for your OTT service, download our latest white paper Optimizing Multiscreen TV Delivery with a Secure Video Player and contact us at dtv.nagra.com to see how we can help.
Our related products Cloud
Medialive
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...
Author: Simon Trudelle, Sr. Director Product Marketing
