In recent years, viewing habits have shifted dramatically; online video is becoming the preferred option for the younger generation. But its not just millennials who are cutting the cord with broadcasters and traditional platforms increasing numbers of people from all age groups are abandoning cable and instead enjoying TV online. In response to this growing trend, platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer are rushing to invest in fresh digital content, in a bid to satisfy their ever-increasing audiences.
Good content is, of course, key to keep audiences watching. However, simply creating engaging content is not enough. To create an exceptional user experience, users must be able to access content quickly. Video buffering remains the top frustration with online video viewing, with almost half of viewers abandoning a video if it stops playing to re-buffer more than twice (source: The State of Online Video).
Content providers work with a huge and continuously growing amount of data, which presents a significant challenge in terms of storage practices. Crucially, they need to be able to manage huge spikes in demand that occur at key times of the year. Sports broadcasters, for instance, need to make sure that they can deal with the pressure that is put on their network during peak traffic times, when massive sports events like the Superbowl or World Cup take place.
Broadcasters are all keenly aware that today, success hinges on their ability to deliver online video reliably and consistently. They need to invest in their infrastructure to ensure that they can predict and manage surges in demand for their services. Whether they are live streaming sports events, conferences or corporate media presentations, failure is simply not an option. Gomez revealed that, unsurprisingly, 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience. Even tiny delays can reduce site traffic over time.
Without the correct storage system in place, broadcasters may suffer a range of problems when delivering content, from buffering, slow load times and increased costs. Here we examine how choosing the right system can help providers to create an exceptional digital experience for users everywhere.
High availability across the globe
Storage is where content delivery networks (CDNs) go to retrieve files that arent cached in Point of Presence (PoPs) around the globe. If the storage system is in a centralised location outside of the network, users may experience a significant amount of latency. To ensure high availability, streaming providers should use a system that automatically replicates content every time it is retrieved to meet a user request. This will give users access to the fastest version of the site, provide protection from spikes in demand and reduce the risk of content being unavailable all crucial to ensure an exceptional digital experience, regardless of where the user is accessing content.
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