Hybrid On-Prem and Cloud Workflows

The industry is no longer debating cloud vs. on-prem. By 2025, hybrid workflows are the norm, combining strengths of both worlds.

Why Hybrid

Some tasks demand on-prem hardware for latency and control. Others benefit from cloud scalability and global reach. Hybrid approaches let teams optimize for each use case.

Common Patterns

• On-prem acquisition with cloud-based distribution.
• Local switching with cloud-based multiviewers.
• Archive in the cloud, while keeping live playout on site.
• Disaster recovery systems hosted in the cloud.

Engineering Considerations

• Connectivity: Reliable, redundant links are mandatory.
• Security: Access control must span both domains.
• Cost management: Track cloud usage to avoid surprises.
• Interoperability: APIs and orchestration tools bridge environments.

Industry Momentum

Broadcasters now design with hybrid in mind from day one. At IBC2025, most vendor roadmaps showed cloud integration as a standard feature, not an add-on.

Hybrid is not a compromise; it’s a strategy. By combining the strengths of on-prem and cloud, media companies gain flexibility and resilience.