ViacomCBS, CommScope IP content distribution migration
January 13, 2022
Comms technology specialist CommScope and media & entertainment group ViacomCBS have confirmed that ViacomCBS launched FAVE and migrated its DABL and select SHOWTIME linear channels from satellite to Content Delivery Network (CDN) IP distribution using the CommScope DigiCipher Streaming system.
The migration represents the first ViacomCBS services to be fully transitioned from satellite to CDN IP—leveraging existing CDN IP infrastructure for service distribution to CBS broadcast stations, DABL affiliates, and Showtime MVPDs throughout their US footprint instead of traditional satellite delivery.
“Satellite bandwidth in the US will diminish by 60 per cent in 2023 as a result of the successful 2020 FCC C-Band satellite auction,” notes Ric Johnsen, senior vice president and segment leader, Broadband Networks, CommScope. “This creates an imperative for programmers to plan their eventual migration from satellite to CDN content distribution. Our DigiCipher Streaming system offers programmers like ViacomCBS a low-risk migration path that leverages their existing Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRDs) in the migration from satellite to CDN IP input, enables new distribution efficiencies, and eliminates service interruption.”
“The key to our decision was having the flexibility to choose a migration path and timeline that worked best for our unique business goals with the guarantee of zero service interruption,” adds Hardys Eggum, senior vice president, Media Technology & Engineering, ViacomCBS. “CommScope’s solution provided a redundant design that avoided transport loss when we experienced a primary CDN outage in migrating the DABL service. This is an incredible milestone as we continue to accelerate our technology transformation.”