Asia Pacific broadcaster GMA Network has deployed Synamedia’s PowerVu solution to move distribution of its global Pinoy TV service from satellite to the cloud, claiming a better viewing experience for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) subscribers with improved reliability and latency.
When one of the satellite providers in the Middle East shut down its service in March 2023, GMA had to accelerate its strategy of moving distribution to IP Synamedia deployed PowerVu in under six hours and transitioned GMA’s services to cloud-based distribution, ensuring continuous broadcasting. With the transition to IP cloud connectivity, GMA has been able to scale and extend distribution to overseas Filipinos - known as “Pinoys” globally. GMA Pinoy TV is GMA’s flagship international channel, bringing Filipino entertainment and news to Global Filipinos in over 100 countries through partnerships with major pay-TV operators on cable, direct-to-home, IPTV and OTT distribution platforms.
In partnership with AWS, Synamedia overcame one of GMA’s major challenges: like many operators in Asia Pacific, GMA has struggled to get video into the cloud reliably due to internet connectivity issues. By deploying Synamedia virtual Digital Content Manager (vDCM), GMA benefited from a secure gateway for reliable video delivery into the cloud.
In addition, by using PowerVu to distribute its content over AWS cloud, GMA is also said to have has lowered operating costs, removed complexity, and created new monetisation opportunities. And, by moving to cloud distribution, GMA has eliminated the threat of disruption to its subscribers’ viewing experience from 5G spectrum interference with satellite downlink.
“GMA Pinoy TV is committed to provide exceptional content to the Global Filipino audience,” commented Joseph Francia, first vice president and head of international operations at GMA. “With Synamedia's PowerVu cloud-based distribution solution, we hope to further elevate the viewing experience of our audience in the Middle East and North Africa.”
“GMA has a loyal subscriber base around the world who rely on GMA Pinoy TV to keep up with news and entertainment from home,” added Marc Baillavoine, CTO of Video Network at Synamedia. “GMA has overcome many persistent industry issues and is now reaping the benefits of reduced operating costs, business agility and scalability to extend its distribution globally while enhancing the viewer experience.”
In partnership with AWS, Synamedia overcame one of GMA’s major challenges: like many operators in Asia Pacific, GMA has struggled to get video into the cloud reliably due to internet connectivity issues. By deploying Synamedia virtual Digital Content Manager (vDCM), GMA benefited from a secure gateway for reliable video delivery into the cloud.
In addition, by using PowerVu to distribute its content over AWS cloud, GMA is also said to have has lowered operating costs, removed complexity, and created new monetisation opportunities. And, by moving to cloud distribution, GMA has eliminated the threat of disruption to its subscribers’ viewing experience from 5G spectrum interference with satellite downlink.
“GMA Pinoy TV is committed to provide exceptional content to the Global Filipino audience,” commented Joseph Francia, first vice president and head of international operations at GMA. “With Synamedia's PowerVu cloud-based distribution solution, we hope to further elevate the viewing experience of our audience in the Middle East and North Africa.”
“GMA has a loyal subscriber base around the world who rely on GMA Pinoy TV to keep up with news and entertainment from home,” added Marc Baillavoine, CTO of Video Network at Synamedia. “GMA has overcome many persistent industry issues and is now reaping the benefits of reduced operating costs, business agility and scalability to extend its distribution globally while enhancing the viewer experience.”
