By adding personalization and distribution to traditional operators, the FAST 2.0 solution boosts the performance of FAST channels.
PARIS, France, July the 10th, 2023 – Convinced by the relevance of the new FAST channel distribution mode, OKAST and Broadpeak have joined forces to offer the FAST 2.0 solution.
With over 500 OTT platforms and premium FAST channels deployed, OKAST has rapidly become the European leader with its modular cloud solution- OKAST Channels – including programming, playout, transcoding, distribution, and advertising monetization services.
Broadpeak designs and develops video delivery components for content providers and network operators deploying video streaming services. The company’s advanced video API cloud platform, broadpeak.io, offers as-a-service solutions for dynamic ad insertion, linear virtual channel creation, and content personalization.
Together, the two companies are laying the foundations for FAST 2.0, a new generation of technology designed to accelerate the deployment and performance of FAST channels by addressing three critical issues:
- By coupling Broadpeak’s advanced Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) solution, available on broadpeak.io SaaS, with a new version of channel programming solution, OKAST Channels, OKAST introduces a high level of personalization of channel content with AI and real-time adaptation of a channel’s programming. ‘Personal channels’ are as close as possible to the end-user’s tastes, reinforcing their attractiveness and their advertising performance.
- Channel distribution to multiple Connected TV (CTV) platforms and applications, all with specific requirements, generates very high costs for publishers and high management complexity for channel editors. By introducing ‘variant channels’, the solution makes it possible to adapt the same video stream to the many different formats, cultures, and advertising rules of broadcast platforms, drastically reducing distribution costs and editorial management.
- Channel distribution to incumbent PayTV operators, thanks to the integration of Broadpeak’s Advanced CDN solution into OKAST Channels’ distribution tools. It is now possible to seamlessly integrate FAST channels into an operator’s offering, and reach a new, very large audience in addition to that of the usual CTV platforms. OKAST will strengthen its portfolio of channels to offer local audiences in each market content that resonates with their values and culture, thus highlighting the breadth and quality of European programming available.
The integration of OKAST Channels and broadpeak.io creates a new generation of FAST platform. The FAST 2.0 solution enables publishers to better monetize their inventory while differentiating themselves in a unique way. By strengthening audience engagement through segmented programming and leveraging distribution on operator networks, this new solution accelerates the transformation of FAST channel distribution.
This joint FAST 2.0 initiative is part of the ambitious strategy of the European FAST4EU consortium, created by OKAST, to develop a European ecosystem to address the FAST market.
OKAST is strengthening its ability to distribute European channels and content to the widest possible audience, to offer local audiences in each market content that resonates with their values and culture, highlighting the breadth and quality of European programming available.
OKAST and Broadpeak will be demonstrating the FAST 2.0 solution at the IBC show in Amsterdam from September 15 to 18, 2023.
We are delighted to have partnered with OKAST to develop an advanced FAST personalization solution to increase additional revenue opportunities for content providers, TV channels, and video streaming platforms.
Mathias Guille, Vice-President Cloud Platform, Broadpeak
We are particularly proud to introduce FAST 2.0 with Broadpeak. The solution meets our two highest objectives: to enable the distribution of FAST channels at the best cost for our publisher customers, while optimizing revenues by matching them to audience tastes.
Cédric Monnier, Co-founder, CEO OKAST
About M.E.I Group (OKAST)
Founded in 2013 by industry veterans (formerly Canal +, France Televisions, NewsCorp, Ubisoft, Irdeto, Viaccess), M.E.I. Group builds the OKAST.TV cloud solution for key industry players (TV channel, producer, pure web player, etc.).
A turnkey solution, OKAST.tv makes it easy to deploy a streaming and live audio/video platform, a FAST channel, and to monetize audio, video, and live catalogs. It provides everything from streaming architecture, platform, and design to TV and mobile applications, as well as complete management of payment systems, advertising, and management software including content management, user CRM, and analytics.
OKAST publishes, through its clients, over 500 OTT platforms and FAST channels worldwide. Its clients include the SECOM group, Qwest TV, MCS Sports, Good!Movies, Au Nom De la Terre, Allindi, IDance Music, MAIF, Accenture, D-Edge, Secrets d’Histoire, Le Figaro Live, Ciné Prime, Endemol France, Unifrance, Ascot Now, THEMA, Mediawan, RCS Italia, etc.
The company was incubated by TF1 and Audiens and already counts among its clients major American, European, and Chinese media, companies, agencies, brands, TV, web, cinema and advertising content producers.
About Broadpeak
Since its creation, Broadpeak has built its development on one mission: to deploy software solutions on a global scale that enable people to stream the content they love, with exceptional quality of experience. These solutions address the needs of TV and telecoms operators, global broadcasting platforms (“OTT”) as well as new media in the corporate, sports and entertainment worlds.
By the end of 2022, Broadpeak had more than 125 customers in 50 countries, addressing a global audience of 200 million. These customers include some of the world’s leaders such as Orange, Telecom Italia, Deutsche Telekom, HBO, Mola TV, StarHub and Megacable. Broadpeak employs over 240 people in 21 countries. The company is based mainly in France (head office in Cesson Sevigné near Rennes), but also in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Singapore and Dubai
About FAST4EU
OKAST, SECOM Group, and Kinostar have joined forces to launch the European FAST4EU Consortium. Co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA, the consortium’s objective is to accelerate the development of the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) model in Europe and to provide a technological and content approach adapted to the European market with the capacity to expand internationally. The channel launch support program welcomes all European players, whether broadcasters, producers, or distributors of content.