Modern Media Packaging and Distribution: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you swept away by the promises of a fully automated media distribution workflow? Automated processes are undoubtedly the way of the future, but the reality is that your short-term to-do list has probably become more of a priority than implementing automation that will help you out in the long run. So while you’re spending all your time distributing media and monetizing your content, you could be enabling templates that dramatically reduce the manual effort in your distribution media supply chain.

The current state of digital media supply chains

Anyone familiar with delivering media knows that digital media supply chains are built using many different systems: one dedicated to transcode, another as a metadata system of record, another for quality control (QC), another for delivery. Not to mention the manual processes needed to confirm receipt and ensure that all of these systems are working correctly.

Some vendors have attempted to provide “orchestration” services to tie these systems together, but the reality is that this is a band-aid fix for an industry-wide problem. The disjointed systems continue to need monitoring beyond whatever top-level management platform is used. This type of legacy operation also relies on defining each vendor system separately (a separate transcode profile, a separate metadata transformation schema, a separate artwork definition, a separate delivery setup, etc.).

What should modern media operations look like?

Digital media supply chains should enable more than just a single function, such as media transformation. Rather, they should enable everything necessary to successfully make a delivery, publish content and enable monetization. This includes transcode, metadata transformation, delivery instructions, QC (in some cases) and delivery confirmation (where available). We’re talking about a system that provides a holistic package template that enables a level of automation that was previously unheard of when working across multiple vendor systems.

Modern media operations now include built-in package templates that allow end users to quickly and easily orchestrate microservices without the hiccups. The Ateliere Connect platform, for example, manages microservices such as transcoding, metadata transformation, QC, and delivery instructions, through one simplified tag-based template. These templates allow you to easily automate deliveries by providing factory-level automation of the entire distribution supply chain.

Ateliere has created package templates for over 100 of the most common over-the- top (OTT), broadcast and cable delivery destinations, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Peacock, Sky, Star and more.

Be prepared for a changing media landscape

Delivery requirements are constantly changing. Whether a platform has updated its video spec or a metadata schema, or if there's a new requirement altogether, the ability to adjust or create new distribution workflows is critical. On Ateliere’s Connect platform, users can create additional package templates on your own. You can easily add pre- and post-rolls, specify detailed video instructions to burn in or embed captions, add audio configurations, as well as adhere to specific naming conventions. Ateliere allows you to quickly and easily automate the different delivery requirements by creating tag-based packages. The best part? All of this is doable without the need for heavy technical expertise or a large headcount.

If your media packaging & distribution effort involves more manual process than you feel is necessary or profitable, it may be time to take a step back and readjust your workflow. Prevent hiccups in your digital media supply chain before they occur with Ateliere Connect. Contact us to take control of your media operation today.