Verizon Media Launches New Platform Capabilities Designed To Evolve The Live Streaming Experience

- New features and functionality include real-time multi-camera viewing and watch together social experiences, as well as OTT Smart Auction integration -

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Media has announced a series of new Media Platform enhancements designed to evolve the live streaming experience. These include several new capabilities that provide deeper fan engagement for live sports and services that address every streaming need. Additionally, the company has launched Smartplay Prebid’s first integration with the Verizon Media Ad Platforms’ OTT Smart Auction.

Real-time capabilities reinvent live programming and bring audiences together

Verizon Media has partnered with Phenix Real Time Solutions, marrying Verizon Media's global network, edge computing, and ad insertion expertise with Phenix's real-time streaming technology to enable sub-second latency for live sports at scale. This capability has been critical in developing new services required by broadcasters, rights owners, sports teams and leagues to deliver live sports in the stadium and to people’s homes.

First, multi-camera viewing makes remote sporting events more like in-venue experiences with the ability to see plays from any angle, immersing fans into the action. Real-time streaming also provides viewers with brand new ‘watch together’ social experiences, such as co-viewing synchronized live streams, in-game trivia, and even wagering, allowing fans to host virtual watch parties with family and friends. Yahoo Sports is an early example of a Verizon Media customer using these real-time streaming features.

“The global pandemic has limited in-person attendance for most major events, yet sports fans remain hungry for live sports,” said Ariff Sidi, General Manager and Chief Product Officer, Verizon Media. “Sports broadcasters and teams are really working hard to engage their die-hard fans and maintain engagement and loyalty in the face of competing at-home entertainment options.”

Scheduling and Syndication extend content reach

Verizon Media has also announced the general availability of channel scheduling and syndication publishing, enabling media organizations to schedule and curate channels, which can then be syndicated directly to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Twitch. With syndication, content owners have access to even more significant audience reach through a single simplified workflow.