Akamai boosts broadcast platform

Network, for the broadcasting and entertainment industry, Telecom Paper reports.

Akamai notes in an Advanced Television report that the acceptance of cloud computing, as well as advances in connected devices and mobile technology, has led to increased viewing of IP video.

However, this has also opened the door for piracy and unauthorised content consumption. Akamai says the entertainment industry faces increasing complexities around entitlement, access, monetisation, quality and security.

The company revealed a range of initiatives, including standardising on HTTP as the primary delivery protocol, which includes HTTP live streaming and smooth HD streaming for delivery across the Akamai HD network.

According to Market Watch, Bill Wheaton, Akamai senior VP of digital media, says: "Cloud computing, ubiquitous connectivity and the increasing consumption of IP video are driving content providers to move more content to the cloud and users to expect access to content on multiple devices.”

Akamai also recently made available Adobe HTTP Dynamic Streaming across its platform, and customers can leverage dynamic streaming capabilities without making changes to their existing Flash workflow.