In an exciting display of technological prowess, Amazon Web Services (AWS) demonstrated its industry-leading cloud capabilities for the media and entertainment (M&E) sector at the NAB 2023 conference. AWS, known for its extensive experience and support for transformation in the M&E industry, showcased a range of innovative products and services that empower content creators, broadcasters, and distributors to revolutionise their workflows.
Nina Walsh, M&E Business Development Leader, Asia Pacific & Japan at AWS, expressed the company's commitment to empowering customers. "AWS brings the most purpose-built media and entertainment capabilities to the cloud, making it easier for our customers to select the right tools and partners for their highest-priority workloads, accelerate production launches, and see faster time to value," she notes. At the forefront of AWS' showcase was the newly launched AWS Elemental MediaConnect Gateway service. This cloud-connected software application enables the seamless transmission of live video between on-premises multicast networks and the cloud.
With end-to-end live video contribution and distribution workflows, AWS Elemental MediaConnect Gateway offers scalability and integration, catering to a wide range of use cases, from broadcast to operations rooms. Additionally, AWS highlighted advancements in its Studio in the Cloud and Color in the Cloud workflows. Leveraging AWS compute services, AWS Elemental MediaConnect, and AWS Cloud Digital Interface (CDI) for uncompressed video transport, visitors to the AWS booth witnessed a production-ready cloud-based filmmaking pipeline, demonstrating the company's commitment to driving innovation in content creation.
The broadcast area of the AWS booth was abuzz with live remote production, playout, and next-generation distribution mechanisms. Utilising live feeds from the AWS Free Kick Challenge set, AWS showcased the capabilities of virtual live remote production (vLRP) setup, offering broadcasters an efficient and flexible approach to live event coverage. Walsh emphasised the unparalleled advantage of AWS in the broadcasting realm, stating, "AWS is the leading choice for broadcasters, with over 1,600 channels worldwide originating from the AWS Cloud. Customers, including industry giants like FOX, Paramount, and Discovery, leverage our purpose-built AWS services and appliances to run low-latency broadcast workloads with greater agility, scalability, and reliability." Furthermore, AWS demonstrated its expertise in direct-to-consumer (D2C) and streaming services.
Collaborating closely with industry leaders such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and Prime Video, AWS enables reliable and efficient delivery, monetisation, and support of live, and on-demand media over the internet. By leveraging AWS's purpose-built services, these streaming platforms can offer unparalleled experiences to screens worldwide. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, AWS has outlined an ambitious marketing plan for 2023 and beyond. With a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific region, AWS has strategically positioned its data centres in key locations to provide an exceptional service experience. Acknowledging the rapid growth and innovation in Asia-Pacific, Walsh emphasised the significance of the region, stating, "Asia-Pacific is absolutely an area of focus for us.
We are investing heavily in growing our Asia Pacific M&E business, and our team covers the entire region with specialist M&E resources and a strong network of partners." To showcase the depth and breadth of its offerings, AWS is organising various events and marketing activities across Asia-Pacific in 2023. AWS Summits held in different countries throughout the region and M&E Symposiums highlight the latest innovations and success stories from customers utilising AWS services in their production workflows. As the M&E industry continues to evolve and embrace cloud technologies, AWS remains at the forefront, delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower content creators, broadcasters, and distributors