Pac-12 Networks a player in the FAST Game with Amagi
December 16, 2020
Amagi, a global SaaS leader in broadcast and streaming TV technology, has announced its partnership with Pac-12 Networks, the content arm of the Pac-12 Conference, as its innovative cloud platform for its recently-launched 24/7 Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) channel, Pac-12 Insider.
Pac-12, the ‘Conference of Champions,’ is a collegiate athletic conference that operates in the Western United States, participating in 24 sports at the NCAA Division I level. Pac-12 Networks is the first and only sports media company owned by its 12 member universities. The media company consists of seven, 24/7 TV networks (one national and six regional), the new Pac-12 Insider FAST channel and digital properties, including its owned and operated mobile application, Pac-12 Now.
The engagement with Amagi covers programme scheduling, cloud playout, delivery and ad insertion for Pac-12 Insider on Pac-12 Now and Pac-12.com as well as third party FAST platforms, including The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, Redbox Free Live TV and Xumo. The solution suite used by Pac-12 Networks includes Amagi’s award-winning cloud playout platform, CLOUDPORT, and its server-side ad insertion platform, THUNDERSTORM.
“Given how highly-regarded Amagi is in this landscape, we are excited to partner up and have already experienced numerous benefits, from achieving a great degree of automation to its tremendous ease of use,” said Ryan Currier, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Products, Pac-12 Networks. “Amagi was very supportive in the launch of Pac-12 Insider and we continue to be impressed with the results.”
“Sports broadcasting can be a highly complex process, especially when launching a new channel, like Pac-12 Insider,” said Srinivasan KA, co-founder, Amagi. “The ability to manage all the moving parts for a new channel seamlessly through a simple cloud-based platform is very valuable. We are proud to partner with Pac-12 Networks in its mission to connect fans to the universities and sports they love.”
Overall, Amagi manages 400+ channels, with deliveries in more than 40 countries. It supports 150+ streaming channels on its cloud platform and distributes content to top OTT platforms including Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Xumo, Pluto TV, STIRR, VIZIO, Redbox, Plex, and Sling TV and more. The company has a state-of-the-art cloud broadcast operations center that can support 1000+ live linear channels. Amagi clients include A+E Networks UK, beIN Sports, CuriosityStream, Discovery Networks, Fox Networks, MGM, NBCUniversal, People TV, SportsGrid, Tastemade, Tegna, VENN, Vice Media, and Warner Media, among others.