DStv live streaming issues resolved: MultiChoice
DStv Digital Media has completely re-architected its live streaming platform, entered into partnerships with international content delivery networks, and introduced adaptive bitrate streaming, a spokesperson for the broadcaster has told MyBroadband.
Bitrates vary from 300 kilobits per second to 1.2 Megabits per second (Mbps) on mobile devices, and go to 2.6Mbps on the normal web-based streaming application.
This was done as part of MultiChoice’s long-term roadmap which includes its new DStv Now mobile application and live streaming services.
“Judging by social media following the launch with the SuperSport live streams in the middle of the year, the updates were well received and we are taking the same solution forward with DStv Now,” MultiChoice said.
Asked about the streaming technology at the launch event for the DStv Now application, DStv Digital Media CEO John Kotsaftis said that they invested a lot in content delivery network (CDN) technology.
“It’s basically something we started investing in since 2009,” Kotsaftis said. “What you’re seeing is the product of lots of back-end investment to solve some of the challenges.”
Kotsaftis said that they have now partnered with global CDN players such as Akamai and Level 3, and also have their own custom CDN which sits on a devision of Mweb called Optinet.
“We’re looking at building some new CDN technology as well, like our own custom stuff… which I can’t talk about,” Kotsaftis added with a smile.
They also now monitor all the different networks in South Africa, which Kotsaftis said lets them know exactly what experience subscribers are getting on the different Internet service providers in South Africa.
Armed with the information from their monitoring system, DStv Digital Media may actually change the CDN it uses to serve content to a particular network if users on that network aren’t getting a good experience.
Asked for more information about this monitoring system, a spokesperson for MultiChoice said that they monitor streaming quality at an aggregate level.
This lets them see a number of things, including general bitrates being served, and whether rebuffering events are a problem.
“We do a lot of stuff in the back-end to try and make the experience really good for all the ISPs not just for one,” Kotsaftis said.
More DStv streaming news
DStv streaming outside SA not allowed: MultiChoice
DStv Now mobile application with live streaming unveiled
SuperSport streaming issues: DStv responds
DStv online-only subscription service will launch “one day”
DStv Catch Up to stay Premium… for now
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