Entries by Mikko Karppinen

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The Top 5 Business Opportunities with DVB-I

As the media world moves toward digital convergence, DVB-I (Digital Video Broadcasting – Internet) is emerging as a powerful technology that blends traditional broadcast TV with internet-based streaming services. By managing both linear TV and on-demand content over IP and broadcast networks, DVB-I creates fresh possibilities for OTT players, broadcasters, and satellite, cable, and terrestrial operators to diversify income streams and engage viewers more effectively.

Let’s explore the top five ways DVB-I unlocks business opportunities for key players:

1. Hybrid broadcast and broadband: best of both worlds

One of DVB-I’s standout features is its combination of broadcast and broadband technologies. Broadcasters (and OTT services) can use both traditional broadcast networks (like DVB-T/DVB-S) and broadband networks to deliver high-quality TV services. In this blended model: 

  • Broadcast TV ensures reliable distribution of content for large audiences, such as live sports and news. 
  • IP-based services offer extras like niche channels, FAST channels, live events, catch-up TV, VOD (video-on-demand), and tailored content. 

Broadcasters can deliver a complete TV experience, combining the stability of broadcast with the interactivity of internet-based services. This combination forms the base for business opportunities such as targeted advertising, interactive features, and real-time analytics, all of which boost audience engagement.

2. Reaching audiences on any device, anywhere

DVB-I enables broadcasters and operators to deliver content across a range of devices, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and PCs. This device-agnostic capability allows content providers to connect with audiences even in areas where traditional broadcasting infrastructure is unavailable. 

With more viewers choosing mobile and on-the-go entertainment, DVB-I empowers broadcasters to: 

  • Expand their audience reach globally. 
  • Provide personalised, on-demand viewing experiences on any device. 
  • Earn revenue through subscription services or ad-based models across all platforms. 

This adaptability is especially valuable for operators aiming to serve niche audiences or regions without needing expensive infrastructure upgrades. 

3. Real-time viewer insights

Through standardised channel and EPG management combined with IP connectivity, operators can gain detailed insights into viewer preferences, improving content recommendations and boosting ad effectiveness. Operators can also monetise analytics by sharing these insights with content providers. 

In addition, broadcasters and operators can use viewership data to send timely content notifications, promoting new programs and reducing churn while increasing average revenue per user (ARPU). 

4. Boosting ad revenue with targeted advertising

DVB-I makes addressable advertising possible by tailoring ads to viewers based on preferences, demographics, and viewing habits. While traditional broadcast ads are broad, DVB-I allows for formats such as: 

  • Dynamic ad insertion (DAI), where broadcast ads are swapped with personalised video ads. 
  • Banner ads during channel switches or tailored TV spots. 
  • Ads targeted by region, device, or household, enabling cost-effective campaigns. 

This level of personalisation helps maximise ad performance and creates opportunities for small or niche advertisers. By segmenting audiences and offering tailored ads, broadcasters can unlock income streams that were previously inaccessible through traditional broadcasting. 

5. More revenue opportunities with niche and FAST channels

DVB-I’s service registry and service list management gives broadcasters more control over how they curate and deliver niche content across the network. By managing their own service lists and linking them to a central registry, broadcasters can deliver premium or region-specific content, or Free Advertising-supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels directly to the consumer – without going through traditional gatekeepers like big cable or satellite providers.

This gives smaller broadcasters and content creators the ability to focus on niche markets with tailored content – regional sports, language-based channels, or interest-based content (e.g. cooking, travel, documentaries). FAST channels in particular are a great way to create highly targeted channels for specific audiences. Broadcasters can also add additional subscription levels or exclusive services for viewers who want more personalised or unique offerings.

For operators, this makes it possible to include a wide variety of service lists that appeal to diverse consumer preferences, increasing the attractiveness of their platform.

Conclusion

DVB-I offers a flexible and scalable platform that bridges the gap between traditional broadcasting and internet-based TV services. By adopting DVB-I, broadcasters and operators can: 

  • Expand their audience across a variety of devices. 
  • Deliver personalised, interactive viewing experiences based on real-time analytics. . 
  • Open new income streams through targeted advertising and niche content. 

DVB-I represents a significant evolution in the broadcasting industry—combining the strengths of broadcast and broadband to create exciting new business opportunities. 

DVB-I delivers TV services over the Internet to devices with broadband or broadcast access. It supports all broadcast delivery methods as well as DVB-NIP and 5G Broadcast, maintaining smooth user experience of watching TV.

Learn more about our DVB-I Service Manager: https://icareus.com/dvb-i/

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Why Operators and Content Owners Should Embrace DVB-I

One of my biggest doubts regarding DVB-I has been around the question of how and by whom the central service registry would be managed. 

Who would act as the reliable record keeper? How would the costs be divided among stakeholders? Who would decide which services are included in the registry? Could stakeholders in any market come to an agreement on this? 

Then I realized that this dilemma applies only to the horizontal market, if even there. Let me elaborate on this thought further. 

Managing service registries in DVB-I: horizontal and vertical market perspectives 


The most critical technical component of DVB-I’s ecosystem is the service registry—a database that contains the available channels and services (including metadata like content descriptions, EPG data, and delivery mechanisms). The effective management of service registries can vary significantly depending on the market structure—whether it’s a horizontal market or a vertical one. 

Understanding how to manage service registries in both scenarios is key to unlocking the business potential of DVB-I. 

Key decision for your business case – delivery of the central service registry 


There are multiple ways to provide CE devices with the “link” to the central service registry, and the best approach depends on your business needs as a DVB operator or OTT player. 

In short, the options are: 

  • Via DVB Broadcast: The broadcast signal (DVB-T/C/S) can carry service list descriptors as part of its metadata, which includes URLs to the DVB-I service registry. When a TV tunes into a DVB broadcast, it reads this metadata to find the URL of the service registry that will provide additional internet-based services. 
  • Pre-configured by Operator or Manufacturer: If you control the smart TVs or set-top box you could pre-configure URLs to the central service registry. When a TV is set up for the first time or when connecting to a network, it uses these pre-configured URLs to fetch available DVB-I services. 
  • DNS-based Service Discovery: The TV or client device can use DNS to discover the service registry. By querying a specific domain or subdomain, the device can retrieve the URL of the service registry from the DNS response, much like how web addresses are resolved on the internet. 
  • In certain network configurations, multicast announcements can provide the link to the service registry. Devices that are connected to the network listen for these announcements and use the provided URL to access the service registry and fetch service lists. 

In addition to a native DVB-I EPG application, an HbbTV/Op-app application broadcasted or downloaded onto the TV could be used to provide the UX to the end-user (in addition to the basic DVB-based service offering). This would also work on CE devices that do not natively support DVB-I. How about mobile or desktop devices? For these, the DVB-I service registry address would need to be configured within the application or web page settings. 

As shown above, DVB-I as a standard allows you to leverage it in various ways, depending on how you want to connect with your viewers. 

Horizontal market is more challenging 


By a horizontal market, I refer to a broad, multi-provider environment where various content providers or broadcasters coexist and compete. A typical example would be DVB-T countries with multiple multiplex operators, each managing their own channel lineups. In these markets, consumers may also have hybrid devices that support both satellite and IP-based services. 

The primary challenge here is to ensure interoperability, consistency, and ease of access to channels across all providers within a shared ecosystem. The more players, the more hassle. 

In my opinion, competition is essential, and service providers (e.g., terrestrial versus satellite) should be able to differentiate themselves. Does it even make sense to have a combined service registry for a satellite, a terrestrial, and an OTT operator? Probably not, although some consumers with a dual-tuner STB would love it. 

Key aspects of managing a service registry in a horizontal market 


In a horizontal market, the service registry must support a wide range of broadcasters, each potentially using different content formats, delivery mechanisms, and metadata standards. As we all know, there are almost as many EPG formats, metadata descriptions, and content discovery mechanisms as there are players in the market. Aggregating these behind a single DVB-I service platform makes a lot of sense; the standardization that DVB-I brings would significantly aid this effort. 

Each broadcaster and content owner can maintain their own service registries, which can then be aggregated in a standardized way to form a shared registry. This approach would allow users to discover services from multiple broadcasters within a unified EPG, thereby increasing the chances of content discovery. As mentioned above, managing such a shared registry requires close coordination between service providers to ensure timely updates, such as new channels or schedule changes. 

DVB-I aims to provide users with the best experience and the easiest way to find their favorite content. However, should users have the option to choose between different registry providers and content offerings? This brings us back to a fundamental question in business: who owns the viewers? 

Should CE device manufacturers offer end users access to multiple central service registries – one from the DVB operator, another from the CE manufacturer, and a third from the highest-paying OTT provider? 

Recent European DVB-I trials have attempted to address these questions. All of the latest trials have focused on the horizontal market needs within a single DVB platform, primarily DVB-T. The main stakeholders in these trials have been national broadcasters and terrestrial network operators. It is evident that the standard will be influenced by TV regulators and broadcasters, who intend to make DVB-I compatibility mandatory for televisions sold in their markets. However, it is important to note that DVB-I is equally effective for mobile and desktop devices. 

In the German trial, a key takeaway was the importance of managing service lists with regionalization in mind. The trial included an aggregation service that combines service lists from various broadcasters, enabling the formation of a national list while preserving regional variations in channel listings. The trial highlighted that broadcasters must implement HbbTV to fully leverage DVB-I’s capabilities, such as targeted advertising and accessible services.

The Spanish trial highlighted DVB-I's potential to enable more diverse content offerings. Broadcasters can introduce niche channels and services to attract various audience segments and monetize them through targeted advertising and subscription models.

In Italy, a hybrid approach is seen as crucial for the future of broadcasting, allowing viewers to access both live and on-demand content via a unified interface. Trials with Vestel and Mediaset demonstrated how DVB-I can complement existing broadcast networks by offering internet-delivered linear services in full HD and additional services utilizing HbbTV.

However, the key decision regarding who will manage the central service registry remains unresolved. If regulators succeed in mandating DVB-I for CE devices, I am confident that DVB operators will seek to become the registry controllers, as they have been for decades in broadcast networks. 

Vertical market service registry management 


A vertical market is one where a single operator controls most or all aspects of the content delivery chain, from content production and acquisition to delivery and user experience.  

For me, using DVB-I in a vertical market is a no-brainer. Why? 

First and foremost, DVB-I offers a standardized way for hybrid service management. Since vertical operators often control the end-user devices (such as set-top boxes or smart TVs), the service registry can be optimized specifically for those devices. Regardless of the device receiving the service list, operators can rely on a single EPG approach. This simplifies operations and creates cost savings while fostering a platform-agnostic approach. 

Vertical operators managing both traditional broadcast and IP-delivered content can integrate these services seamlessly within the EPG. This is a major benefit of DVB-I, as it enables operators to use their proprietary service registry to manage both types of content in a unified manner. The result is a smooth, cross-platform experience for users, eliminating the need to switch between apps or devices. 

With full control over the service registry, operators can create a more tailored and controlled user experience. This flexibility allows them to design a bespoke EPG that aligns perfectly with their brand and content offerings. The registry can be optimized for the operator’s specific platform, whether that’s satellite, terrestrial, or a hybrid IP solution (including mobile and desktop). 

Since operators typically have subscribers, there is significant potential to leverage user data for personalized EPG experiences, enhancing content personalization. The service registry can dynamically adapt to display tailored content recommendations based on viewing history, subscription tier, or user demographics, which can significantly boost viewer engagement and satisfaction. 

Additionally, vertical market operators can maximize their revenue potential by using the service registry to implement exclusive offers and premium content. For instance, pay-per-view sports events or subscription-based on-demand content can be prominently featured in the EPG. 

Operators may also control ad inventory, enabling them to implement highly targeted in-platform advertising campaigns based on data derived from the service registry. 

Personally, I see no reason for operators not to consider upgrading to DVB-I. This transition can be executed one device platform at a time, ultimately streamlining channel and service management in the long run. 

Conclusion 


The future of DVB-I hinges on resolving the central service registry management dilemma. Trials across Europe have highlighted its potential, but the key question remains: who will manage the central service registry? In a horizontal market – where multiple broadcasters and service providers operate – issues such as interoperability, stakeholder agreements, and service inclusivity pose significant challenges. 

In contrast, in vertical markets, where a single operator controls the entire delivery chain, registry management is simpler. Operators can fully leverage the flexibility of DVB-I to create tailored user experiences, simplify hybrid broadcast management, and enhance personalized content recommendations, all while optimizing revenues through exclusive offerings and targeted ads. 

Ultimately, DVB-I is poised to improve user satisfaction by bridging the gap between traditional broadcasting and IP-delivered content. For DVB-I to succeed, especially in horizontal markets, strong cooperation and a regulatory framework will be necessary. Only then can the true business potential of DVB-I be unlocked. 

Read more about our DVB-I Platform: https://icareus.com/dvb-i/

Icareus Ltd is established 2001 and has a headquarters in Helsinki, Finland. Combining online and broadcast technologies have been the core of our activities over two decades, true pioneers some say. We’ve been making the change from linear TV to today’s multi-screen experience. Icareus solutions are enjoyed by millions of consumers via our broadcaster, operator, OTT and OVP customers in over 60 countries.

Icareus TV & Video Cloud and Icareus Playout, a trusted broadcast platform for EPG, Data carousels and OTA support solutions for HbbTV, OTT, TV Everywhere, Addressable TV advertising and Audience Measurement.

For more Information:                                                                                                  

Ms. Jessica Glad
Marketing
Icareus Ltd

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +358 (0)9 2289 0801

Follow Icareus on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icareus-ltd-

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5 reasons Why Video Drives Conversions on Websites

In today’s digital age, where attention spans are shorter than ever, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to captivate their audience and drive conversions. Video content has proven its merit in capturing viewers and hooking them into action. From product demonstrations to brand storytelling, videos have emerged as a quintessential element in enhancing user engagement and boosting conversion rates on websites. Let’s delve into the reasons why video is a driving force behind online conversions. 

1

SEO Benefits

Video content can boost your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Search engines like Google prioritize websites that offer diverse and engaging content, including videos. By optimizing your videos with relevant keywords, titles, and descriptions, you can improve your website’s visibility in search results and attract more organic traffic. Additionally, videos often result in longer dwell times and lower bounce rates, signaling to search algorithms that your website offers valuable content worth promoting. More visitors mean more conversions.

2

Higher Intent

Video content tends to create longer engagement on websites as it resonates with audiences, making them more likely to stay on your website and take action. They may be researching, comparing options, or seeking in-depth information to make informed decisions. These users exhibit higher purchase intent compared to those who quickly bounce off your site, making them prime targets for conversion. Longer engagement basically provides more opportunities for you to engage with your audience and guide them through the conversion funnel. Visitors who spend more time on your website are more likely to convert.

3

Building Trust and Credibility

Establishing trust is crucial; we tend to buy from people we trust. Videos have a unique ability to evoke emotions and forge connections with viewers. Video content humanizes your brand by putting a face and voice to your message, fostering a sense of authenticity and transparency. Whether it’s through behind-the-scenes glimpses of your team, interviews with satisfied customers, or thought leadership content, videos help build rapport and credibility, ultimately instilling confidence in your brand and driving conversions.

4

Demonstrating Value

Videos excel at demonstrating complex concepts or showcasing products and services in action. Whether it’s a walkthrough of how your product works, customer testimonials, or case studies, videos allow you to highlight key features and benefits in a compelling manner. Seeing is believing, and when potential customers can visualize themselves using your offering to solve their problems or fulfill their needs, they’re more inclined to make a purchase.

 

5

Enhanced memory footprint

With the rise of digital media and information overload, attention spans have become shorter. In addition to emotional responses video engages multiple senses, which enhances cognitive processing and memory retention. The combination creates a rich and immersive experience that stimulates different areas of the brain, making the content more memorable. When viewers are fully engaged with the content, they are more likely to remember it later and active later to create higher long-tail conversions.

In conclusion, the evidence is clear: video content is a potent catalyst for driving conversions on websites. By harnessing the power of video, businesses can elevate their online presence, increase user engagement, and ultimately drive more conversions. So, if you’re looking to take your website to the next level, it’s time to hit the record button and let your brand’s story unfold through the magic of video. 

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11 highlights of the 11th HbbTV Symposium 

Discover the evolving world of television technology as we delve into the insights from the 11th HbbTV Symposium in Naples, Italy. From advancements in TV standards to innovations in addressable TV advertising, this post explores how these developments benefit TV viewers, enhancing their content discovery, user experience, and overall engagement. Join us in uncovering the practical advantages that these technological strides bring to the forefront of the television landscape. 

1

Broadcasters pushing direct to consumer business models 

The 11th HbbTV Symposium unfolded in Naples, Italy. In his opening remarks, Mr. Vincent Grivet set the tone by addressing a crucial industry trend: broadcasters are rapidly adopting both OTT delivery and direct-to-consumer models for big screens.  an example of FTA channels new way to reach consumers is Freely’s (https://www.everyonetv.co.uk/news/press-release/new-free-tv-service-via-ip) collaborative approach where they unite forces for a premium content offering. 

2

HbbTV Standard Advancements 

Moving on to advancements in the HbbTV standard, two new specifications are introduced: 2.0.4 and OppApp. Notably, the latter powers Freely’s success. Additionally, updates on reference applications and the test suite are to be highlighted. 

3

TV Sales Steady and Changing Revenue Streams 

Paul Gray’s (OMDIA) market review notes positive developments. He emphasizes robust TV sales and CE manufacturers exploring new revenue streams from advertising and subscription services, following the example of Roku and Vizio. However, challenges persist, because up to 70% of SmartTV advertising spending concentrated in the US. 

4

Diversifying Recurring Revenues 

In the pursuit of diversifying recurring revenues, TV platforms are starting to prioritize them over hardware sales. This involves exploring revenue avenues such as video advertising, revenue sharing with broadcasters/OTT VOD services, audience data, service placements on home screens, and selling custom remote control buttons for OTT providers. 

Smart TV advertising has already surpassed TV hardware sales, underscoring the growing importance of recurring revenues over one-time TV device sales.

5

Software’s Rising Importance

A noteworthy shift is observed as consumers increasingly prioritize the quality of TV platforms when purchasing new TVs. This prompts TV manufacturers to adopt a “razor blades or printer cartridge” business models, 75′ TV costs 400€ and recurring revenue possibly up to 100€/year for a single device. Simultaneously, the battle between operating systems, including Android, Tizen, and WebOS, intensifies. 

6

Content Discoverability and HbbTV’s Role 

From a consumer perspective, this raises the question of content discoverability — how many apps do I need to have installed on my SmartTV to access the content I want: FAST, catch-up, or VOD? In my opinion, HbbTV can address the discoverability of TV services, not by relying on the TV manufacturer, but as an integral part of TV channels. With the rise of OppApp, it can also become an integral part of the TV device itself.

7

DVB-I’s Potential for FAST Channels 

DVB-I is making strides with technical trials in Italy, Spain, and Germany, aiming to seamlessly integrate broadcast and broadband channels into one user interface, significantly enhancing content discovery.

However, a crucial question remains regarding the regulation, legislation, and certification regime needed to define roles and responsibilities in its management. The seamless combination of broadcast and broadband services is highly lucrative for content owners, providing cost-effective means for even niche channels to reach larger screens.

Another consideration is how to develop and distribute DVB-I compliant client apps to devices like set-top boxes, streaming sticks, and mobile devices. Nevertheless, progress in technical, business, and legislative realms continues, and we anticipate real production deployments of DVB-I in Europe soon. This addresses the future of TV, where broadcast, OTT, and multicast deliver mainstream content to large audiences, alongside niche thematic and local content in both linear and on-demand offerings.

The challenge lies in defining the regulatory framework for its effective management.

8

Addressable Advertising and DVB-TA Compliant TVs 

Addressable advertising is deemed a crucial feature for generating increased revenue from the same ad inventory, emerging as one of the hot topics once again in Naples. While display advertising still has its place, there’s a noticeable shift in focus and high expectations toward dynamic ad substitution. In Italy, Linear Ad replacement has become a daily norm, experiencing a 30% YoY growth with over 100 campaigns in 2023. The most prominent advertiser segments are retail, beverages, and Telco. Two main models have been adopted: replacing the entire ad break with online ads and changing only 1-2 ads within the ad break. Technically, most broadcasters rely on client-side ad replacement and custom pre-buffering of manifests to ensure a seamless transition from broadcast to broadband and back.

What holds great promise is the release of the very first DVB-TA compliant TVs by Samsung, utilized by Mediaset in their dynamic ad substitution business. This development not only makes technical implementation easier but also provides a broader horizontal technology platform for utilization.

9

Promoting HbbTV Engagement for Targeted Advertising 

To launch successful targeted advertising in any country, HbbTV should be mandated as the default setting. However, channels must also offer additional beneficial HbbTV services to keep viewers engaged, as seeing only ads may result into reluctance in keeping HbbTV activated on their TVs. 

10

Audience Measurement Challenges 

A significant focus during the unconference, evident from the substantial audience participation, revolved around audience measurement. Exploring how entities like Barb, GfK, Kantar, and others compare to real-time measurement via HbbTV sparked interesting discussions. Particularly for smaller channels facing zero ratings, HbbTV measurement has proven invaluable. The data from HbbTV audiences clearly demonstrates their presence, even when panel data falls short. However, a challenge persists in persuading advertisers of this reality, given their reliance on official TV ratings. This poses a political question requiring resolution, and it’s crucial to involve both media agencies and official panels—often the gatekeepers between TV and media buyers in many countries. While data collection can be costly, channels must assess whether they can justify the expense with the potential for a larger ad inventory and enhanced visibility into how their programming is consumed.

11

Developer Tools and Industry Support 

Concluding on another positive note, Samsung’s release of developer tools for 2024 models is highlighted as a step forward, fostering efforts to enhance UX and cross-platform support within the industry. I hope this paves road for other manufacturers to follow. 

HbbTV is a global initiative aimed at harmonizing the delivery of broadcast and broadband services through connected TVs and set-top boxes. It enables broadcasters to deliver interactive content, such as on-demand videos, catch-up TV, and interactive applications, alongside traditional broadcast services.

Read about Icareus’ HbbTV platform: https://icareus.com/products/hbbtv-solutions/

HbbTV symposiums are events where industry professionals, stakeholders, and experts gather to discuss the latest developments, trends, and challenges in the field of hybrid TV. These symposiums often include keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions, and demonstrations of new HbbTV technologies. Participants may include representatives from broadcasting companies, technology providers, regulatory bodies, and other relevant organizations.

More information:
https://www.hbbtv.org/11th-hbbtv-symposium-and-awards-2023/

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Solving Grassroot Sports Streaming & Monetization

A paradigm shift is currently underway in the sports industry as content owners are moving towards direct-to-consumer business models. This transformation has primarily begun with top leagues and the ones that lack lucrative TV distribution agreements. Streaming services are found compelling as they allow leagues to redefine how they connect with their fans, partners, and advertisers. OTT has emerged as a new approach to improve leagues’ reach.

However, grassroots sports, despite their potential, have remained largely neglected, partly due to the absence of viable business models. Consequently, this has lead to a situation where most games are streamed on social media platforms, leading to a loss of control over how the sports are portrayed to fans and other stakeholders. 

Solving the grassroots sports streaming and monetization challenge is pivotal for federations, clubs, athletes, and fans alike. Acknowledging the challenges faced by grassroots sports in terms of visibility, control over content, and monetization, 

Icareus’ vision is centered around these three key drivers for change:  

1. Improved game and event discovery,

2. Democratized content production,

3. A sustainable and inclusive business model.

1

One of the primary concerns is the fragmented nature of grassroots sports streaming, scattered across various social media platforms, making it challenging for fans to discover and follow their favorite teams and events. Streaming has become a wild west where federations and clubs have completely lost their control on how their sports is portrayed to fans. The driving change that is needed lies in enhancing game and event discovery, moving it away from social media and consolidating all streaming onto a single user-friendly platform, simplifying the process of game discovery and enhancing the overall fan experience.  

2

The next challenge is to get as many games streamed as possible. We must recognize the importance of inclusive content production, given that it is unfeasible for federations or clubs to manage it centrally.  This necessitates the collective inclusion of team managers, parents, friends, and family to the content production workflows. To facilitate their onboarding, there is a need for user-friendly tools and autonomy for the “grassroots streamers.”

3

The final motivation to get everyone onboard is monetization. A sustainable and mutually beneficial business model is crucial to ensure that all stakeholders find value in the process. This can be achieved by applying the platform economics principle, where most of the revenues can be routed directly to the clubs, without complicated accounting processes. Empowering grassroots sports not only fosters talent development but also taps into new revenue streams within an underserved market. 

Once we can achieve these three key drivers, there will be an explosion of grassroot sports streaming! 

Unfortunately, traditional sports streaming platforms often prioritize major leagues, sidelining grassroots events and tournaments. In response, Icareus has developed a cloud platform that brings all the stakeholders together for the production and consumption of games. At the same time, it improves fan engagement and loyalty. 

Icareus leverages crowdsourcing to turn virtually everyone into content creators, facilitating event and game streaming. The Icareus Sports OTT solution aggregates content from grassroots events within a specific sport, creating a one-stop destination for fans to access games, from top leagues to the smallest matches, all on a single video portal bearing the federation’s or club’s branding. In essence, it gives federations and clubs complete control over how games are streamed, the user experience, and the business model, facilitating a stronger connection with fans. 

Monetization is achieved through subscription models, pay-per-view options, and targeted advertising. Moreover, the platform’s business model ensures that the majority of the revenues generated are directed towards the grassroots teams, a pioneering step in the industry. 

In practice, all beloved sports content, from children’s leagues to senior divisions, can be found from a single source, seamlessly integrated and easily discoverable. By fostering this collaborative and integrated approach to sports streaming, the platform not only amplifies the reach and impact of grassroots sports but also creates a dynamic and engaging environment that benefits everyone involved, from the federations and clubs to the dedicated fans and players. 

In summary

The benefits of this holistic approach extend beyond mere convenience, with the potential to reshape the landscape of grassroots sports streaming, providing a sustainable and profitable model that caters to the needs of all stakeholders. 

Icareus Ltd is an online video cloud and broadcast TV specialist founded in 2001 and having offices in Finland and Spain. Icareus provides video cloud solutions and trusted broadcast TV platforms, and our solutions are enjoyed by millions of consumers via our broadcaster, operator, OTT and OVP customers in over 60 countries.  Combining online and broadcast has been the core of our activities over almost two decades. We’ve been making the change from linear TV to today’s multi-screen experience. 

More information: https://www.icareus.com  

Icareus Sports OTT is a turnkey white-label video cloud solution for sports of all kinds, team or individual, from floorball and football to tennis and martial arts. It offers versatile tools for the production, management, publication and (optionally) commercialization of sports videos and events. Both professional leagues and “grass roots” non-professional sports clubs can make use of this solution. 

More information: https://icareus.com/solutions-for-customer-groups/sports/ 

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Making The Freemium Model Work for Your Video Academy

“Freemium”—a blend of “free” and “premium”—has become the leading business model for internet start-ups and smartphone app developers. It can also revolutionize how users engage with your video academy.

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5 reasons why you should build a video academy

2020 changed how we do business, meet people, and live our daily lives. One of the outcomes of the pandemic is the explosion of online events, training, webinars, live streaming, and other video consumption. Zooms, GotoWebinars, or Teams are no longer enough to produce a premium online video experience. Event participants do not want to install 3rd party software and demand a brand-safe environment. The time of video academy is here.

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5 Key things to consider with broadcast EPG (Electronic programming guide)

As competition on viewers time increase and digitalization takes over traditional news papers and their TV Listing -sections, broadcasted EPGs have become even more critical to both broadcasters and operators.

This blog tries to explain the basics on how EPGs work in DVB networks and what you as a content owner should take into account to achieve a better TV experience.

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