The implementation of cloud-native applications for TV service deployments is accelerating. Not only can this approach enhance deployments, including on-prem, with cloud-based innovations such as continuous delivery and granular scaling, but it also enables operators and service providers to leverage the advantage of multiple environments (i.e., on-premises, the public cloud, the private cloud, and multi-cloud) to optimise both price and performance, while mitigating risks.
However, cloud-native architectures are complex, and with this complexity comes the need to rethink deployment and operational models. Beyond merely applicative enhancements, a transformative TV platform empowers service providers to realise the full benefits of going cloud-native by redesigning the often overlooked underlying tooling and redefining the domain of responsibility between TV service providers and platform vendors.
The benefits of going cloud-native
There’s a strong business rationale for embracing a cloud-native approach with more operators and service providers adopting cloud-native architectures to enable a faster pace of innovation for their TV platform and to master operational costs. For example, cloud-native architectures (and even more so serverless architectures) enable agile approaches, which help service providers stay competitive and respond quickly to market changes, and easy scaling depending on viewer demand. Furthermore, the adoption of microservices and containerisation in cloud-native architectures supports more granular and modular application designs, driving frequent updates and innovations.
Choosing a cloud-native deployment model
As the adoption of cloud-native TV platforms continues to grow, different deployment models are emerging, each catering to the various requirements of operators and service providers. With a SaaS model, a cloud-native TV platform runs in a public cloud under the technology provider’s tenant. Operators and video service providers pay a monthly fee, and the technology vendor takes care of all deployment and operation aspects, providing a fully managed service.
Another option for operators and video service providers is to deploy a TV platform in the public cloud under their own tenant model. Here, the cloud-native TV platform runs in a public cloud but under a shared responsibility model. The operator leverages its own cloud provider discounts and gives the technology provider access to manage and operate the platform within its tenant.
An on-premises cloud-native model is another deployment choice that suits operators and service providers with significant capital investments in their own data centres, or those needing to keep workloads on-premises for sovereignty or other reasons. Bringing the full benefits of cloud-native and containerisation technologies to these environments requires the definition of a clear responsibility matrix between the service provider and the technology vendor, along with the adaptation of DevOps practices and tools for an on-prem environment.
Evolution is necessary to fully realise the benefits of cloud-native TV platforms
Under the traditional paradigm, TV service providers operated software-based TV platforms on-premises. However, the complexity of cloud-native systems requires vendors to take on more responsibility, primarily with respect to organisation and tooling. The new cloud-native paradigm demands that technology vendors play an active role in managing components, including, if needed, on-premises. This shift in responsibility places a greater burden on technology providers to ensure the success of cloud-native implementations.
To counter this, partnering with a technology provider that has not only mastered its applicative stack, but also all offers state-of-the-art cloud-native tooling and DevOps best practices is critical. This will enable operators and service providers to realise the full promise of cloud-native applications, reducing complexity, streamlining deployments, and optimising service management.
In addition to having DevOps expertise, a cloud-native TV platform providers must practice infrastructure as code and utilise state-of-the-art CI/CD toolchains. Technology providers that focus not only on application code but also on the necessary scripting and surrounding elements will ensure the code runs and operates effectively.
Conclusion
The TV industry is in the midst of a transformation, with technology providers working hard to master cloud-native operational and business models, with well-defined requirements for platform scalability, operations models (e.g., SaaS, managed services), FinOps, and DevOps/DevSecOps toolchains. This evolution will significantly boost the profitability and agility of TV businesses over time.
The adoption of a cloud-native TV platform with state-of-the-art DevOps practices brings numerous benefits to service providers, including an accelerated pace of innovation, which allows for the rapid introduction of new features and services. Operational efficiency is significantly improved, particularly in managing financial operations. Service providers also gain more granular control over scaling — enabling them to upscale or downscale resources as needed — and simplifying the upgrade process. Ultimately, these advantages lead to financial savings, enhanced innovation, and simpler operations.
To reap these full benefits, a partnership approach, based on a shared responsibility model over deployment and operations, between service providers and technology vendors is a prerequisite.
