Formula 1 has partnered with M2A Media to acquire, process and distribute the competition’s live content to its global broadcasters and sports rights owners.
As part of the agreement, F1 will adopt M2A Connect, an event-based cloud-IP transport service, to monitor live streams and deliver video to multiple regions. The cloud-based software will also allow the series to scale its workflows during live events, set up live sources, schedule events and add subscribers and entitlements.
Moreover, the software will be implemented to support the delivery of confidence feeds and the underlying Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elemental Media Services.
Trevor Turner, Head of Media Systems Development at Formula 1, stated: “The M2A Connect service is a step change in the evolution of Formula 1’s broadcast distribution model. M2A Connect will, in essence, allow F1 to service a greater number of broadcast partners in a more flexible and cost-effective way and will help us distribute a greater volume of live race content than ever before.
“The team at M2A understands the challenges we face as a global sports brand and has responded to these challenges with a next generation media service that will help carry us into an IP over cloud-led future.”
In addition to M2A Connect Formula 1 will also use the firm’s 24/7 Operations service, which allows the series to set up and secure events, enable last-minute changes and use eyes-on-glass monitoring to ensure smooth end-to-end broadcast transmissions.
Marina Kalkanis, CEO at M2A Media commented: “We were delighted when Formula 1 came to us looking for a solution to their live video distribution challenges. Formula 1 recognises that delivering their live video over IP in Public Cloud is the future, especially when targeting next generation platforms. M2A Connect, supported by M2A Operations’ 24/7 service and leveraging AWS Elemental Media Services, provides Formula 1 with a robust video over IP transport platform allowing them to adapt and flex as their distribution landscape evolves.”
Mike Callahan, Head of Media Solutions Marketing at Amazon Web Services, Inc. added: “Formula 1 delivers the world’s most popular open wheel racing to more than 1.9 billion television and digital viewers. We are delighted that M2A Connect leverages AWS Elemental MediaConnect to add a quality-of-service layer over standard IP transport, enabling uninterrupted live video connections with built-in packet recovery and AES encryption to reliably and securely distribute Formula One’s premium live racing content to authorised distribution partners.”
