As the OTT marketplace continues to overturn nearly 70 years of broadcast media gains, studio content and other forms of premium content are now available on 100,000+ aircraft, cruise-ships, trains, buses and hotel rooms around the world. The big screen and TV have morphed into portable entertainment platforms that you have probably seen or used when traveling abroad or across this great nation.
Much like the existing OTT/IPTV business models currently delivering premium Studio content, DRM is a mandatory required technology on all streaming and download content for transportation and hospitality business models. This is done as part of 360-degree security policies in place by the Studios and premium content owners.
Why DRM you may ask? As part of a holistic approach to security, DRM affords content operators a secure, standardized container to transport, store and deliver premium content to users around the world on 100’s of different playback platforms. Additionally, more and more operators are providing both online and offline playback models to users across disparate classes of internet connections and trip lengths.
To deploy DRM in an IFE or hospitality environment, there are three main areas of focus to consider:
These remain the three arenas where DRM is integrated into a connected and disconnected content delivery platform for premium content. Let’s take a quick look at each “lift” and how it impacts your deployment plans:
Operators have access to a variety of different server products that will package content using the JIT or VOD model.
Most of these products support the most popular consumer DRMs, PlayReady, Widevine and FairPlay.
These packaging servers are deployed in conjunction with a CMS, a Video Platform/ User Portal and the storage system in the local vehicle or structure and connected to the local Wi-Fi network for local user access.
For disconnected environments with no Wi-Fi, a local DRM licensing platform is required to ensure the best industry security practices i.e offline DRM.
Using a localized DRM licensing server platform provides a robust, secure and integrated solution.
Operators deploy the vendor DRM platform on the operators’ hardware/OS/software on-vehicle or on premise.
With a dedicated licensing platform, the operator must apply for, acquire, operate and maintain their corporate DRM server SDK certs from Microsoft, Apple and Google.
This allows for Studio DRM compliance with the greatest level of usability and least visibility to your end-users.
If Internet is pervasive and part of the operator’s business model, licensing can be done remotely via hosted services.
For “bring your own device (BYOD)” models, the primary playback platforms are iOS and Android via phones and tablets. Secondary to this are web browser playback on Windows and OSX via HTML5-enabled players.
Today’s Multi-DRM approach enables operators to offer passengers and guests the highest level of streaming and download support in some cases with secure output for AirPlay and/or Chromecast.
Major operators rely on brand name DRM-enabled Player SDKs that support DASH, HLS and MSS both for streaming and downloads. These player SDKs typically provide integrated support for PlayReady, Widevine or FairPlay DRMs.
Using these DRMs and these premium Player SDKs, operators are able to deploy streaming and download business models with one content asset and enable the offline playback of that content on the user’s device.
Offline DRM playback offloads streaming and download drains on local Wi-Fi networks and users’ batteries. Studios have approved the use of consumer popular multi-DRM to enable these offline download models.
A successful DRM deployment includes addressing all three aspects above, packaging, licensing and playback. The DRM marketplace has matured such that there are a variety of providers with strong legs and great innovation to make your deployment a success.
The KeyOS Widevine Everywhere Program
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Offering PlayReady, Widevine, and FairPlay, we can help you deliver protected content to any device in any situation whether online or offline or both.
Established in 2001, we are a market-leading Multi-DRM service provider. Over the last fifteen years we have seen drastic changes in the content protection arena as a variety of new technologies have entered the marketplace. Through our pioneering efforts in this field and decades of experience in digital media, we have your bases covered with the KeyOS Multi-DRM Platform supporting PlayReady, Widevine, and FairPlay DRMs. KeyOS supports all of the popular consumer platforms and business models.
If you are either just beginning your search or are a seasoned streaming media pro, we think our team can help you.
Contact us to learn more about our solution. We would be happy to setup a call to evaluate your scenario and find out how we can help you. Our consultations are always free. Our KeyOS platform powers the biggest names in media across the globe and we are eager to assist you as well.