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Akamai and Harmonic Revolutionize Live Streaming with MSL5

Akamai Technologies, alongside Harmonic, has made headlines with the launch of Media Services Live 5 (MSL5), a pivotal platform aimed at enhancing live video workflows in the cloud. Announced on September 12, 2025, this new system boasts a plethora of advancements designed to improve the quality, reliability, and accessibility of live streams for services ranging from sports broadcasting to entertainment.

Expanding the Live Streaming Landscape

The collaboration between these two industry leaders aims to set a new standard in the live streaming domain. Harmonic’s renowned video delivery solutions synergize with Akamai’s cloud infrastructure, facilitating a seamless experience for both viewers and broadcasters. With MSL5, streaming providers can embrace various media formats and monetization strategies, while improving viewer experiences significantly.

According to Gil Rudge, Senior Vice President at Harmonic, this partnership reflects a commitment to delivering an outstanding streaming stack within Akamai’s robust media cloud. The enhancements provided by MSL5 are tailored to meet the growing demands for reliable and high-quality live content in today's competitive market.

Key Enhancements in MSL5

1. Faster Performance: The platform offers reduced time to first byte (TTFB) and low-latency HLS delivery that enables response times as short as 5-7 seconds, ensuring a smooth and efficient streaming experience.

2. Expanded DVR Capabilities: Users can now enjoy an extended live DVR window, allowing them to pause, rewind, and replay live events up to 12 hours—a significant increase from the previous 30-minute limit.

3. Streamlined User Experience: With an optimized interface and the ability to provision streams in just five seconds, users can navigate the platform with ease. Enhanced metrics and system statuses provide clarity and better control over stream performance.

4. Precision Event Management: The event management API now includes features for subsegment accuracy clipping, allowing broadcasters to create high-quality highlights seamlessly.

As Jon Alexander, Senior VP of Product Management at Akamai, notes, live sports continue to attract massive global audiences, and consumer expectations have risen accordingly. MSL5 offers media companies a powerful tool to meet these expectations consistently and effectively.

Future of Live Streaming

The introduction of MSL5 is just the beginning. Akamai and Harmonic are committed to an ongoing evolution of this platform, with future updates planned to enhance efficiency and maximize monetization opportunities. Features such as low-latency transcoding and innovative server-side ad insertion are on the horizon, promising greater viewer engagement and higher revenue potential for service providers.

The pair will showcase MSL5 at IBC2025 in Amsterdam from September 12-15, a significant event that allows them to connect with industry professionals and discuss their vision for the future of live streaming.

About the Companies

Harmonic

Harmonic is the global leader in broadband and video delivery solutions, allowing media companies to distribute quality video while enhancing consumer engagement. They have innovated in areas like virtualized broadband solutions, which revolutionize video delivery via cloud technology.

Akamai

Akamai forces the frontier of digital security and cloud computing, empowering businesses to operate safely and efficiently online. Their market-leading solutions provide essential security and performance enhancements which are crucial for modern enterprises.

In summary, the Akamai and Harmonic integration through MSL5 represents a monumental shift in how streaming services can operate and how viewers access content. The advancements promise not only quality improvements but also a transformed viewing experience conducive to today’s global audience.