AWS Elemental MediaTailor has expanded support for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) Interstitials in live streams.
The support enables the delivery of personalised advertising for broadcasters and streaming services across a wide range of video players, including HLS.js, Shaka Player, Bitmovin Player, and Apple devices running iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, tvOS 16.4, and later.
According to the company, the capability enables promotions and interstitial ads to be inserted directly into live streams using the HLS Interstitials specification (RFC 8216). Use cases for HLS Interstitials for live streams include sports, live news and event streaming with critical requirements for precise ad timing and minimised latency.
Automatically generating the necessary metadata tags (Interstitial class EXT-X-DATERANGE with X-ASSET-LIST attributes) to signal to client players when and how to play interstitial content, MediaTailor removes the need for custom player-side stitching logic, ensuring consistency of playback and minimising development complexity, said AWS. Integrating with MediaTailor’s existing SSAI, the solution enables frame-accurate transition with no buffering. Server-side beaconing continues to work with HLS Interstitials, maintaining ad tracking and measurement workflows.
The feature supports pre-roll and mid-roll insertion, aiming to provide flexibility in monetising live content, added the company.
Test and deployment of the solution is simplified with users capable of enabling or disabling HLS Interstitials with a query parameter on the multi-variant manifest request. Per playback session control is provided without changing the underlying configuration.
AWS Elemental MediaTailor HLS Interstitials for live streams is available in all regions where MediaTailor operates, added AWS.
