The DPP, the international network for media and technology, has published a new report, Cloud Native Live Production. With input from over 60 expert industry professionals, the research explores how cloud technology is now being used to deliver live production at every level. 

The DPP has traced the development of live production workflows over many years, and this latest report reveals a major shift in attitudes, with very few blockers preventing live content production in the cloud. Latency, bandwidth, and interoperability all remain challenging in some circumstances, but they are no longer seen as insurmountable, as new technologies and workflow adaptations bridge the gap.

Case studies in the report show how even tier one sports have now been produced in the cloud. Yet the balance of economics, workflow practicalities, and risks mean that most high end productions will retain on-premise infrastructure.

In lower cost and emerging content, the picture is quite different. The flexible infrastructure and pricing models of the cloud enable entirely new content to be produced that was previously not commercially viable.

“The conversation around cloud live production has notably shifted.” says report author Rowan de Pomerai, CEO of the DPP. “Until recently, media companies were asking whether they could produce high quality live content in the cloud. The discussion has now matured into a nuanced analysis of when cloud is - and isn’t - the best option. This new report lays out the practicalities of cloud production, and looks towards its future.”

The report also concludes that the true transformation comes from the shift to software-defined production - offering scalable, adaptable workflows with more flexible licensing, whether running in the cloud, a private data centre, or even in an OB truck.

DPP members can download the report, which was enabled by Headline Sponsor Ross Video and Expert Sponsors, LiveU and Vizrt, here.