The new era of live distribution
For decades, live broadcasting has relied on satellite transmission—expensive, infrastructure-heavy, and increasingly outdated. But that era is coming to an end. The rise of Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) and cloud-based workflows is reshaping how we approach live distribution. SRT enables high-quality, low-latency video transmission over the public internet. Unlike satellite, which requires substantial investment and long-term contracts, SRT allows broadcasters to deliver content flexibly and cost-effectively. This shift is not only about reducing costs; it’s about accessibility. Anyone can now broadcast, whether from a studio or a smartphone, to both online and linear platforms.
What’s making this possible? Fibre rollouts have reached a critical mass, ensuring the stable, high-bandwidth connections that SRT requires. In Malaysia, over 7.7 million premises now have fibre access, providing a strong foundation for remote production. At the same time, 5G data is now cost-effective, meaning live production can happen from virtually anywhere without compromising on quality.
Perhaps the most significant change is that we no longer need fixed infrastructure to distribute live content. With SRT, live feeds can be transmitted directly to the cloud, where they are processed and distributed globally. This not only reduces upfront investment but also makes broadcasting more environmentally sustainable.
Meanwhile, portable encoders are pushing the boundaries of live production, allowing coverage from remote locations with minimal setup. The result is a more dynamic, responsive, and accessible broadcast industry.
As these advancements fully integrate into the OTT (Over-the-Top) model, the distribution of live content will undergo a seismic shift. Traditional broadcasters will no longer control access, as content creators, sports organisations, and niche events can bypass conventional networks and deliver directly to audiences. This decentralisation will challenge legacy media structures, accelerating the move towards a more on-demand, direct-to-consumer future, where live content is instantly available on any device, anywhere in the world.
While traditional broadcasters and facilities companies will adapt, their established processes, long-term contracts, and costly legacy assets may slow their ability to pivot. This opens the door for new players to enter the market and scale quickly, unburdened by outdated infrastructure.
We are witnessing a major turning point in live distribution. The industry is moving towards a world where anyone, anywhere, can produce and distribute high-quality live content without the need for satellites or expensive infrastructure. The future of live broadcasting isn’t just about technology; it’s about accessibility, sustainability, and limitless possibilities.
