Disc Golf Network 2.0 launches with Insys Video Technologies
December 7, 2023
The Disc Golf Network (DGN) has announced a major update to its core service with the migration of its content and customers away from Vimeo OTT to a new platform built by Insys Video Technologies – an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advanced Tier Services Partner. All DGN content is now available for viewing on a refreshed web app as well as on multiple supported mobile and smartTV applications. Insys VT has built and maintained custom platforms for clients across the sports, film, television, and government sectors, some of which have up to two million subscribers. Notably, Insys Video Technologies has developed streaming services for S.L. Benfica (Benfica Play), Deutsche Fußball Bund (DFB Play), Olympique Lyonnais (OLPLAY), and NC+ (Canal+ Sport Online).
The updated Disc Golf Network platform relies on AWS Media Services for video transcoding, packaging, and recording, plus Amazon CloudFront CDN (Content Delivery Network) for distribution. The core infrastructure is powered by AWS, the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud, which is used by many major sports organizations and broadcasters. Thanks to Insys VT’s use of AWS, Disc Golf Network will now make use of some of the same tools used by the NFL, PGA Tour, Formula 1, Bundesliga, the Olympics (NBCUniversal), and the Super Bowl (NBCUniversal) to broadcast live events and ensure stable digital infrastructure.
“We’re thankful for our partnership with Vimeo OTT and their support of DGN’s growth during our first four seasons,” said Jeff Spring, DGN & DGPT CEO. “Looking to the 2024 season and beyond, we’re thrilled to take our next big step forward by collaborating with Insys VT and AWS to bring a refreshed look and feel to the Disc Golf Network platform and begin developing new and improved features for subscribers.
As the Disc Golf Network enters its fifth year of service, we’ve recognized the need to evolve our platform to better serve an ever-growing disc golf audience. Collaborating with Insys VT and AWS represents a proactive step towards addressing subscriber needs, particularly in maintaining streaming quality while managing large influxes of live viewers and ensuring the stability of platform performance over time. We’re enthusiastic about the potential this change holds for future developments and
immediate improvements to the platform, and we can’t wait for the start of the 2024 season.”
“This was a demanding project for us due to the time restrictions, but thanks to our highly configurable whitelabel framework and fully cloud-based deployment we were able to meet the challenging migration requirements,” said Krzysztof Bartkowski, Insys Video Technologies CEO. “I’m confident that the new AWS Media Services-based workflow in combination with our Cloud DRM content protection will provide a stable, highly scalable, and secure content distribution meeting the demands of disc golf fans worldwide.”
The newly designed platform features many organizational changes and updates to the look and feel of Disc Golf Network. Content is now more easily navigable thanks to additional menu options, content groups that appear as sliders, and a new bookmarks function. Additionally, the new platform will allow subscribers to pause and rewind live broadcasts (live DVR functionality) and will process live broadcasts for instant reply (VOD) access almost instantaneously after each round has ended, meaning that subscribers won’t have to wait to rewatch a live broadcast once it’s over.
Finally, the new platform features an upgraded system allowing PDGA members to access the subscription at their discounted rate by simply linking their PDGA and DGN accounts instead of generating a discount code every 12 months. PDGA members will now automatically get their discount as long as their PDGA membership is current and connected to their DGN account.