Level 3 Launches Channel Origination Solution

Level 3 Communications, Inc. launched its Channel Origination solution for broadcasters. The solution, which leverages Level 3’s global Vyvx broadcast technology, gives broadcasters the ability to efficiently create linear channels for secure distribution, or playout, to cable headends, multiple system operators (MSOs) and satellite TV providers.

The globalization of content has created the need for content owners and broadcasters to explore ways to deliver their content more efficiently and to more eyeballs than ever before to effectively grow their businesses. This can be complicated and time intensive, particularly given the resources already allotted to developing the content. Level 3’s Channel Origination offers a one-stop-shop for playout – content owners provide their channel playlist and digital video files, and Level 3 will format and store those files until they’re ready for distribution over satellite or via fiber.

“Content providers increasingly want to spend more of their time developing compelling content and less time overseeing the complex processes required to deliver that content to their end users,” saidAnthony Christie, chief marketing officer at Level 3. “Through Level 3’s global fiber-based video distribution network, which enables us to securely and reliably deliver content anywhere in the world, our customers can increase their points of distribution, enabling them to scale more efficiently and focus on the growth of their business.”

“The ability to deliver content point-to-point and point-to-multipoint rapidly and cost effectively is key for media companies to compete and keep pace with today’s content consumption trends,” said Mukul Krishna, global director of Digital Media at Frost & Sullivan. “No matter how great the content is, if it isn’t delivered to the right device at the right time in the right format, its value depreciates fast. With multiple screens and massively increasing digital content libraries, the ability to leverage a pervasive content staging, transformation and distribution network therefore becomes business critical.”

Channel Origination also serves as an entry point to Level 3 Video Cloud’s distribution service. The Level 3 Video Cloud is a full suite of IP-based video services designed to support content delivery throughout its life cycle, from signal acquisition to delivery to viewers. Level 3 Video Cloud services include live Vyvx broadcast video acquisition, encoding and transcoding, global delivery via the Level3 CDN, as well as comprehensive, self-service analytics and reporting.