5G to Revolutionise Streaming in UK

The deployment of 5G in the UK will give traditional broadcasters the chance to compete head to head with video on-demand services, such as Netflix.

13:38 03 April 2018

The number of Brits using video on-demand platforms, such as Netflix, continuously grows as the service provides them with a convenient way of consuming content. Instead of adjusting to a traditional broadcaster’s schedule, viewers can instead watch at their most convenient time by streaming the content they need anytime, anywhere they want.

 

This convenience is a detriment to traditional broadcasters, which are facing prohibitive costs for the limited number of broadcasting rights to live events. However, this can change when 5G is finally deployed in the United Kingdom.

 

Red Bee Media, a company that provides services for live and complex playout, said that the next generation mobile network will enable broadcasters to become more agile and will be able to address the many diverse needs based on “as-a-service” business model using network slicing.

 

It added: “These benefits [will] come not from the deployment of new networks at specific venues but rather through the ubiquitous availability of 5G networks within cities. It is this that opens up the possibility to freely connect from more venues and thus for more live events to be covered”, Cranefield says.

 

“When 5G makes it possible to broadcast a wider variety of live events the supply side of the rights equation becomes better able to meet demand. Here at Red Bee Media, we believe it will bring a renaissance for linear playout [that is the transmission of radio or TV channels from the broadcaster into broadcast networks]”.