Medialooks in Kerala, India: An Inspiring Journey into Regional Broadcast Excellence
This year, I had the pleasure of attending the Broadcast India Show 2024, a vibrant event that showcased the latest advancements in broadcast technology. Not only did I witness cutting-edge products, but I also had the unique opportunity to visit some remarkable Medialooks partners and customers in Kerala. This journey deepened my appreciation for Kerala’s broadcast landscape, and I returned with fresh insights and new ideas for Medialooks’ future endeavors.
Exploring Tricube’s Impact on Broadcast Technology
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Tricube, a pioneer in broadcast software solutions and a dedicated Medialooks Video SDK user. With commercial operations based in the U.S. and R&D at Infopark Phase II in Kochi, Tricube is making waves in the broadcast industry with their advanced solutions.
I had a fascinating conversation with Tricube’s CTO, Mr. Jyothis Jeen Jacob, who shared his vision for broadcast technology in Kerala and how Medialooks SDK has been instrumental in enhancing their software offerings. His enthusiasm for building solutions that meet local and global demands was palpable and inspiring. Tricube’s dedication to leveraging Medialooks technology reaffirmed our role in supporting innovative companies that drive the broadcast industry forward.
Spotlight on Key Broadcast Sites: 24 News and Flowers
Beyond Tricube, I also visited 24 News, a leading regional news channel in Kerala. This visit was especially insightful as I learned firsthand how Tricube’s solutions, powered by Medialooks, streamline operations here. Their CG graphics player for Flowers, along with backup playout systems for 24 News and Flowers, integrate seamlessly with various broadcast workflows.
Mr. Sreelal Sankar, Senior Technical Manager at 24 News, took me behind the scenes to showcase the channel’s live operations. From the NRCS to MCR and PCR, I saw the impressive use of Unreal Engine within their workflow, a testament to Kerala’s commitment to advanced broadcasting techniques. Our discussions included future development possibilities with Medialooks, underscoring the potential for continued innovation.
Meeting the Team at Malayala Manorama Group
Next, I had the privilege of visiting the Malayala Manorama group, which operates Manorama News and Mazhavil Manorama. Here, Mr. En Appu, Senior Operations Manager at MMTV, shared insights from his long-standing experience in broadcasting, which includes a background with Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster.
MMTV’s use of state-of-the-art Harmonic playout and ingest solutions, paired with a cutting-edge virtual studio powered by Unreal Engine, created a truly immersive broadcasting environment. The virtual studio, enhanced by Stype and Brainstorm software, delivers dynamic viewing experiences. Additionally, Tricube’s development of SYNCWIZ using Medialooks’ MFormats SDK demonstrates a powerful collaboration that enhances content delivery and customization.
A Quick Chat with Asianet News
Though I didn’t get to visit Asianet News in person, I had a valuable conversation with Mr. Vineeth, IT Head at Asianet. As Kerala’s first satellite channel, Asianet holds a special place in the regional broadcast ecosystem. The discussion shed light on their strategies and the technologies driving their operations, further highlighting the region’s embrace of innovation.
Reflections on Kerala’s Dynamic Broadcast Landscape
Kerala’s broadcast industry, represented by channels like 24 News, Flowers, Manorama News, and Asianet, is a vibrant example of regional channels harnessing the power of technology to enhance content quality and delivery. The integration of tools like Unreal Engine, advanced playout and ingest solutions, and Medialooks SDK-enabled applications like SYNCWIZ illustrate the region’s forward-thinking approach.
My journey to Broadcast India Show 2024 and the inspiring visits to Kerala’s broadcast powerhouses have left me with a deep respect for the region’s commitment to broadcast excellence. From Tricube’s innovative software to the impressive workflows at 24 News and MMTV, Kerala showcases how regional broadcasters are making a global impact.
An important takeaway from my visits was gaining a deeper understanding of the MOS protocol’s role in NRCS workflows and its importance in creating seamless integration in complex broadcast environments. Additionally, we confirmed that developing an integration with Unreal Engine is a promising direction for our SDKs and the brand new xMediaNode project, and we plan to advance this initiative further.
As we move forward, Medialooks is excited to deepen our contributions to this thriving broadcast landscape, ensuring our products continue to meet the high standards and evolving needs of our partners.
Leonid Titov