Cloud Live Production: GV AMPP and AWS in Context

Cloud-based production is no longer experimental. By 2025, major broadcasters run live events entirely in the cloud using platforms like Grass Valley AMPP and services from AWS. Understanding where these tools fit helps teams plan future workflows.

Why Cloud Production

The appeal is flexibility. Instead of provisioning fixed hardware, resources can be spun up per event. This lowers upfront costs and supports distributed teams. Cloud also enables rapid scaling — adding new feeds or outputs without new physical gear.

GV AMPP

Grass Valley’s Agile Media Processing Platform (AMPP) offers production switchers, multiviewers, and recording in the cloud. It’s designed for professional broadcast, with redundancy and security features built in. AMPP supports both uncompressed and compressed inputs, including JPEG XS.

AWS Media Services

AWS provides building blocks like MediaConnect for transport, MediaLive for encoding, and MediaPackage for delivery. These services integrate well with existing cloud infrastructure, but often require stitching together multiple components.

Choosing the Right Model

• Full ecosystem: AMPP provides a broadcast-focused suite.
• Building blocks: AWS allows customization and integration with broader IT systems.
• Hybrid: Many teams combine on-prem, AMPP, and AWS depending on needs.

Challenges

• Latency: End-to-end delays must be monitored carefully.
• Cost control: Pay-as-you-go models require vigilant budgeting.
• Training: Engineers must adapt from hardware to software mindsets.

Cloud live production is here to stay. The question is not whether to adopt, but how to design workflows that balance flexibility, cost, and reliability.