Television New Zealand Collaborates with Quickplay for Innovative OTT Platform Transformation

Transformation of Television New Zealand's OTT Platform

Television New Zealand (TVNZ), the national broadcaster of New Zealand, has embarked on a significant overhaul of its streaming platform, TVNZ+, in collaboration with Quickplay. This initiative, which was completed in just a year, is aimed at enhancing their digital service to provide a world-class viewing experience for over two million New Zealanders who access their content daily.

A New Era of Streaming

Under the partnership, Quickplay has implemented a cloud-native transformation that integrates an array of modern services and artificial intelligence technologies. This new approach not only aims to streamline operations but also enhance the viewer experience significantly. The shift from a previously fragmented system involving multiple vendors to a consolidated platform marks a strategic move that reflects TVNZ's ambition to cement its position in the competitive streaming market.

Rob Hutchinson, Chief Digital Officer of TVNZ, expressed the broadcaster's commitment to becoming New Zealand's leading streaming service for entertainment, sports, and trusted news. He stated, "To reach more Kiwis than anyone else in an increasingly digital world, we knew we needed to make a step change. Our collaboration with Quickplay has allowed us to simplify our technology stack while speeding up our innovation process. Every efficiency we unlock contributes to a richer viewing experience for our audiences."

Key Innovations Brought by Quickplay

The transformation introduced several innovative features that tap into the latest technological advancements:
1. Co-viewing Capability: Recognizing that over 70% of TVNZ+ views occur on connected TVs where multiple people may watch together, TVNZ can now effectively contextualize advertising based on co-viewer data during real-time viewing.
2. Unified Live Operations Console: A new streamlined console powered by AWS Elemental Media Services enables TVNZ to manage live events and channels with efficiency, utilizing ad marker insertion through a single interface.
3. Deep CTV Integration: This feature allows TVNZ content to be prominently displayed on viewer homepages, broadening reach beyond the TVNZ+ app.
4. Consolidated Operations: The platform replaces various legacy systems managing video content, live operations, user interface, and analytics into a single, effective solution.
5. Enhanced Monetization Features: By introducing advanced advertising options, such as sponsored content and pause-ad functionalities, TVNZ aims to maximize revenue generation.
6. Future-Ready Architecture: Integrating Evergent for user management and billing allows TVNZ the flexibility to introduce premium paid content and special events in the future.

Embracing the Future

Quickplay’s COO, Goutham Vinjamuri, highlighted the uniqueness of TVNZ's innovation among public broadcasters. He stated, "To deliver what viewers desire, they transitioned to a highly efficient, streamlined platform. This evolution demonstrates that when a trusted brand collaborates with a native-AI ecosystem, they can not only adapt to digital shifts but also lead them."

Looking Ahead

At the upcoming NAB Streaming Summit, Rob Hutchinson will provide insights into the groundbreaking features of the new platform during his presentation titled "How TVNZ+ Built a Co-Viewing Product that Turns Additional Viewers into Traditional Reach." This ongoing commitment to innovation places TVNZ in a prime position amidst global streaming competitors.

Conclusion

Through this transformation, Television New Zealand reaffirms its dedication to delivering high-quality streaming content while adapting to the fast-evolving media landscape. The partnership with Quickplay, combined with the utilization of AWS infrastructure, sets the stage for enhanced operations and a richer experience that aligns with viewer expectations.