
I recently presented at the Harmonic Live event with Stephane Cloirec about the changing landscape of linear channel distribution and the evolutions that this once well-established distribution chain is currently witnessing.
With primary distribution evolving due to spectrum constraints - for example to free up bandwidth to deploy new services like 5G - a change in approach was inevitable. Further, if we also consider streaming a mainstream distribution network, which some will predict will become larger than broadcast, further adaptation is required. Both of these shifts have created a need for a whole new set of security requirements which not only reflect today's cyber threats but also those of the ever-evolving technology landscape.
Let's take first the contribution end of the content distribution chain. Here, todays off the shelf servers provide even more power than what was previously achieved via custom equipment that included Professional IRDs with ProCAMs and smartcards. Today, distributors benefit by being able to use these off the shelf servers with integrated SIM card technology which allows each server to manage a significantly higher number of services than was previously the case with the equivalent ProCAM and IRD whose maximum was much lower. Not only does this new approach deliver a cost saving benefit to service operators - without any compromise on security - but it also makes the process of distribution far more efficient.
But once the affiliate has downlinked their content and before they distribute it further, the propensity for content theft or leaks increases so how can this be addressed without leaving any security gaps in the distribution chain? The answer is an integrated video watermarking solution. This will ensure that any leaks can be detected as the content progresses through primary and then secondary distribution.
For example, if at a primary distribution level, we know that content is being distributed in France then at a secondary distribution level, we can add the distribution path such as cable or IPTV etc. within the body of the imperceptible video watermark. This then allows the content distributors to identify at a macro-level where they are seeing higher level of leaks per distribution path. At a business level, this allows data-driven decisioning such as balancing licensing income versus piracy risk which in turn may affect which networks the content is licensed for.
This of course is great from a content distribution perspective but once the valuable content is distributed to consumers, the risk of theft increases again and therefore additional levels of leak detection and associated traitor-tracing measures are required. Forensic Watermarking has a further role to play during this final phase of distribution to monitor content leaks on the multitude of devices that are used by today's consumers. At an aggregate level, this also means video service operators can also identify any particular types of device that are leak-prone alongside more granular information such as the location of the leak and the subscriber ID. This equips the video service provider with all the necessary information to traitor-trace the illicit use and can ultimately end in them revoking the subscribers account or pursuing legal action.
We've discussed here how watermarking, and in particular products such as NexGuard NetworkID and NexGuard Streaming have a key role to play in the content distribution chain. As a key tool in the fight against content leaks, the power of video watermarking is its ability to identify not only which affiliate and then network type the leak has been detected on but also really zoom in on the offending subscriber. This end-to-end distribution chain level of insight, when joined together with some of our other Active Streaming Protection offerings such as Anti-Piracy services, allows for the rapid identification of content theft and the associated traitor-tracing to enable the necessary remedial action to be taken.
NAGRA and Harmonic have created a joint solution to leverage our security know-how and their flexible software-based encoders and receivers, including Harmonic XOS / VOS for linear ABR encoding. We discussed this further in the recent webinar that I mentioned at the start of this blog and it can be watched here.
NAGRA works with organisations across the content contribution and distribution chain to help secure their content against increasing risks of theft and leaks. To continue the conversation and learn how you could join them, why not contact us here; we're looking forward to hearing from you!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
05/06/2026
Berklee Study Reveals Video Has Become Essential to Music Careers Survey findings show social platforms have become the primary source of music for video cont...
04/06/2026
Sony Electronics is introducing the SRG-AS10, a 4K 60p-compatible PTZ auto-frami...
04/06/2026
This recent grad from Spring, TX, led creative-video output for the Aggies' men's basketball team last season and has been producing video and creating ...
04/06/2026
For the first time at a women's golf major, every player in the field will r...
04/06/2026
Three Panasonic PT-RQ45 40,000-lumen 3-Chip DLP projectors made their first live...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin and Akamai have announced a collaboration with NRJ Group, a French mult...
04/06/2026
Telestream will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N7952), demonstrating media work...
04/06/2026
Sony has announced the development of RIALTO 65, a 65mm format image sensor block for the VENICE 2 digital cinema camera, targeting release in the first half of...
04/06/2026
KOKUSAI DENKI Electric America will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N8025, June ...
04/06/2026
Bell Media's TSN and RDS are the exclusive Canadian broadcasters of FIFA Wor...
04/06/2026
The Challenge: Receiving Heavy Media Files From Road Games Quickly and ReliablyT...
04/06/2026
MASV, a managed file transfer platform used in broadcast and live sports product...
04/06/2026
NESN has announced the appointment of Fahad Haider as Vice President of Operations and Engineering. Haider returns to NESN, where he previously served as Vice P...
04/06/2026
David J. Halberstam, who spent almost 50 years in sports as a broadcaster and an executive, died June 2 after a years-long battle with brain cancer.
Over his l...
04/06/2026
Although collegiate production programs are tasked with delivering high-quality ...
04/06/2026
California studio, two production trucks, global distribution system are combine...
04/06/2026
New global program empowers and supports storytellers through scriptwriting course and access to industry experts
TikTok and Sundance Institute today announce...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming infrastructure, and Akamai, the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business onli...
04/06/2026
American Underground (AU), the Startup Hub of the South and a community of mor...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
NVIDIA and Microsoft Reinvent Windows PCs for the Age of Personal AI
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
RTX Spark - a 1-Petaflop Superchip, the Full...
04/06/2026
Inside the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Grade
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Simone Grattarola discusses shaping the look in DaVinci Resolve...
04/06/2026
Cine Gear Expo Announces 2026 Awards of Excellence Recipients
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Ed Lachman ASC, Caleb Deschanel ASC, and M. David M...
04/06/2026
St. Vincents Live with Orchestra Tour to Feature Berklee Alum Ruby Plume Berklee alumni St. Vincent and Ruby Plume will appear on the same bill across seven d...
04/06/2026
Home to cutting-edge sovereign AI infrastructure and robotics innovators, as well as one of the world's most passionate gaming communities, South Korea is o...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
All the Truth in My Lies Coming to Netflix on August 28
Entertainment
04 June 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the imag...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Larry Tanz, VP of Content, EMEA, Delivers a Keynote Speech at ...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Turn Your Living Room into a Stadium With the New FIFA World ...
04/06/2026
Keeping conversations real on LinkedIn Published on Jun 4, 2026 Categories: Product News
LinkedIn Corporate Communications
Share
LinkedIn
Facebook ...
04/06/2026
BackStory follows four Irish young people as they travel back to their parents' homelands
Modern Irish identity is enriched by cultures and influences from...
04/06/2026
June's forecast with GeForce NOW: 100% chance of gaming.
GeForce NOW is lining up new adventures for the month, from big-name blockbusters to quirky indies...
03/06/2026
SES and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, have launched multi-orbit satellite inflight connectivity on Viva's Airbus aircraft. A total of 60 A320s ...
03/06/2026
The College Football Playoff, ESPN, and TNT Sports have announced kick times and...