Streaming media companies want to make a lot of money. To do that, they need to protect their money-making stuff from content theft threats. As these companies try to make more money, they shouldn’t forget about keeping their money safe. This helps them in many ways, like keeping customers, stopping piracy, and making sure their deals are good.
In simple words, it’s like keeping your valuable digital things safe. But, the teams inside these companies are not always ready for this big job. Sometimes, only one team or even just one person is in charge of keeping all the money safe for the whole world. That’s not good in a super competitive market.
Let’s look at the big problems of keeping money safe for streaming media all over the world. We want to see where the money is going away from these companies.
Challenge #1: Licensing
The way streaming services used to start, where they focused on getting customers without worrying much about costs, is no longer the norm. Nowadays, due to media mergers, labor issues, and economic challenges, streaming brands need to start making money sooner.
For example, Warner Bros. Discovery made a lot of money by licensing its content this year. Amazon also plans to do the same by sharing its original shows on other platforms, and Disney is thinking about it too. This is a change from their earlier strategy, where they kept their content only on their own platform. But now, they are willing to do this if it means making a profit.
To make sure they follow the rules in their licensing agreements in different places, media companies use content protection testing.
geographical restrictions
defined license time period/expired content removal
defined seasons/episodes/sequels availability
content portability
licensing for live-streaming events
video resolution
available languages
Many content protection teams are based in particular places, like the east coast, west coast, or the UK. This can be a problem when they need to make sure that everyone is following the rules from their license agreements all over the world, even in places like southeast Asia. It’s even tougher for media companies that only work in their own areas. Sometimes, their own testers try to use VPNs, but these don’t always work well for checking how content is being used. So, they end up having to trust the companies they gave licenses to and do occasional checks. This isn’t a good way to make sure everything goes smoothly.
When media providers want to team up with strong brands or reach a global audience, they need to do their homework. This means they have to make sure they can make money from their creative work and also keep it safe.
Challenge #2: Usage rules
While subscribers may not have been happy about Netflix cracking down on password-sharing, the strategy was effective. According to Antenna, Netflix saw a surge in new customer sign-ups after making this announcement, surpassing the previous high numbers seen during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.
Although enforcing these rules may not be popular with customers, it brings them back to premium media brands. This puts extra pressure on companies to provide the right access to their subscribers. This includes things like allowing multiple logins, setting limits on device usage, managing content downloads or transfers, and more.
Since customers are always finding new ways to bend the rules, businesses need to keep an eye on how people use their service. Testing teams can easily get overwhelmed trying to figure out and replicate these tricky situations. And if these measures are not implemented correctly, it can make customers frustrated, which is not good.
With the help of a crowdtesting provider like Applause, testing teams can use real user accounts to check if the business’s usage restrictions are working as intended. For instance, the team can hire users who are part of a family plan to test things like 4K video playback with multiple devices running at the same time, even when they are traveling far from their home location. This helps ensure that any unusual activity is detected and handled correctly.
It’s important to note that many media providers now offer cheaper subscriptions with ads. This adds another aspect for testing. Teams need to make sure that each customer gets the right level of service they signed up for, both at the beginning and in the future.
Challenge #3: Territorial enforcement
Territorial enforcement: Threat to Streaming Content Protection
Different geographic markets pose unique challenges when it comes to getting and keeping users on streaming platforms. However, before dealing with in-market registrations, streaming platforms must follow the digital rights agreements and rules specific to each region.
Each market has its own rules about what content can be shown and where it can be accessed, like the EU regulations that say if a movie is available in one EU country, it should be available in others too.
Another thing to think about is how to handle geographic restrictions. Sometimes streaming services block content in certain places using geofiltering. But customers may try to get around these rules by using a VPN, which creates an extra challenge for the teams in charge. VPN services keep changing their IP addresses, making it tough for internal testing teams to make sure their VPN detection tools work correctly. These teams might try creative methods, like connecting to a server in the target region to test VPNs, but these methods don’t always replicate real-life situations accurately. The best way to do that is with real-world tests in the actual market.
Checking payment methods used in each market is also important to make sure payments go smoothly. Different regions have their own currencies and preferred payment methods. Services often want to limit accounts made outside their home region. For example, if someone from Italy makes an account while in the United States with an Italian credit card, they should only have access to content available in Italy, with extra restrictions when roaming. A testing plan for content protection should make sure payments are easy and that the right rules are in place for usage.
Challenge #4: Piracy
Piracy has been a challenge in the media industry for a long time, and it has found its way into the streaming media world. According to a report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and NERA Economic Consulting, digital piracy on a global scale causes the U.S. economy to lose somewhere between $30 billion to $70 billion in revenue each year. Another report suggests this problem could get even worse, potentially reaching up to $113 billion in lost revenue by 2027, which could lead to job losses in the hundreds of thousands. As streaming becomes a more significant part of how videos are distributed, media providers must adapt to fight against these smart pirates and protect their earnings.
Digital rights management (DRM) technologies are designed to securely deliver content to subscribers. Checking these DRM systems helps prevent piracy and safeguard intellectual property. Local testers who are in the real-world environment can ensure that the companies using these DRM technologies have implemented them correctly in their latest content releases and can provide insights into how these technologies might be circumvented. When pirated streams are less available or harder to access, people are more likely to subscribe instead of trying to find unauthorized copies of their favorite content.
Fighting digital piracy also means making sure that companies using DRM follow their agreements. For instance, a company might not be doing enough to stop users from recording a live event using screen recording software. DRM validation can uncover these issues and help brands protect their content streams.
Challenge #5: Device and platform compatibility
There are a huge number of device and operating system combinations all around the world, and some of them only work in the country where they’re sold. This device ecosystem is becoming even more complicated as more products are released every year.
This creates a big challenge for content protection testing: How can you protect against security flaws on all these devices? Most teams focus on testing the devices that matter most to their customers and draw a line somewhere to keep the testing manageable. But having too many gaps in device coverage can leave your content vulnerable.
Digital rights management (DRM) technologies keep changing as new platforms and operating systems come out. These changes include solutions specific to certain platforms, like Apple FairPlay Streaming, Google Widevine, and Microsoft PlayReady. There are also devices in specific regions that use their own DRM technologies, such as OPPO, Xiaomi, vivo, and Huawei phones, as well as Hisense, Vizio, and Insignia TVs. Content protection teams might not have access to all these devices, which is why they need resources like real-world crowdtesting, as provided by Applause.
Compatibility testing for devices and platforms is part of content security testing, which aims to make sure your content is secure. Other things content security teams need to check include encryption, keeping security up to date, and making sure third-party connections are safe.
Partner up to bolster your defenses
The best way to ensure that your streaming products are safe from real-world threats is to test them with real people who are in the actual market, using the right combinations of devices and operating systems.
Applause is a global leader in testing and digital quality assurance. They specialize in evaluating customer experiences and safeguarding intellectual properties for well-known media brands worldwide. The Applause community comprises over one million digital experts who can assist streaming media providers in identifying weaknesses in their content protection strategies and extending their coverage to markets that may be challenging to access otherwise.
If you’re ready to start protecting your intellectual properties against the myriad ongoing — and growing — threats to content revenue, talk with us today to define your goals. We’d love to help exceed them.
In most cases, DRM includes code segments that help prevent copying activities or restrict the time or number of devices that can access a product. Publishers, authors, or other content creators use an application to encrypt copyrighted content, data, e-books, software, or any other copyrighted material. Only those with decryption keys can access the data. They can also use tools to limit/restrict what users can do with the data.
So, what exactly does DRM do? It doesn’t punish or lock up individuals who engage in unauthorized content sharing or distribution. Instead, DRM acts as a safeguard to prevent content theft or unauthorized sharing right from the outset.
Here’s a closer look at how DRM functions:
Most of the time, DRM employs specialized codes or encryption techniques to thwart unauthorized copying or impose limitations on when and how often a user can access a particular product. Content creators, whether they’re authors, musicians, or software developers, use dedicated software applications to lock their content. Only those with the appropriate decryption keys can unlock and access the content. Additionally, DRM offers tools that allow creators to control and restrict what users can do with their content.
The advantages of DRM for companies, content creators, publishers are manifold:
The advantages of DRM for companies, content creators, publishers
Preventing Unauthorized Modifications: DRM stops users from tampering with or altering the content.
Restricting Sharing: It prohibits users from sharing or forwarding content without permission.
Limiting Printing: DRM can place constraints on the number of times a user can print or copy content.
Screen Capture Prevention: It blocks users from taking screenshots or projecting the content.
Setting Expiration Dates: DRM enables content creators to set expiration dates for documents or media. Once the expiration date passes, users can no longer access the content. Alternatively, a limit on the number of uses can be set. For instance, a document may become inaccessible after a user has listened to it ten times or opened and printed a PDF twenty times.
Geographic and Device Restrictions: It allows for content to be accessible only from specific geographic locations or using particular devices. This means that if a document is intended solely for use in the United States, it cannot be accessed in other countries.
Watermarking for Ownership and Branding: Creators can add watermarks, such as logos, text, or slogans, to establish ownership and brand identity.
Usage Tracking: DRM provides content distributors and authors with detailed records of how and when their software, content, or multimedia are being used. For example, it allows them to track who downloaded or printed an e-book and when.
Conclusion:
In essence, DRM serves as a digital shield, protecting content, software, and products from unauthorized use and distribution. It also empowers content creators and companies to monitor and manage the usage of their intellectual property effectively.
For instance, imagine an independent musician who releases their music online. By employing DRM, they can ensure that their music can only be played a limited number of times without purchase, preventing widespread unauthorized distribution. Additionally, a publishing company offering e-books can use DRM to restrict access to their content to customers who have purchased it, safeguarding their intellectual property rights.
In summary, DRM is a crucial technology that helps maintain the integrity of digital content and ensures that content creators can protect their work in the digital realm while allowing legitimate users to access and enjoy it.
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a tech tool that safeguards digital content. Think of it as a digital lock, keeping unauthorized users away from your precious media files.
DRM can even detect if someone’s trying to record a stream, although tech-savvy users might find ways around it. Still, DRM plays a crucial role in curbing piracy.
In this article, we’ll delve into what DRM is and uncover its top 5 advantages.
What is DRM?
DRM-protected streaming services
As the name suggests, Digital Rights Management (DRM) is used for controlling the playback and viewing of digital media files.
DRM is a multi-faceted technology that enables companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to control who has access to their content. It can also be used as an anti-piracy measure by preventing users from accessing certain files without paying or watching ads first (for example).
The main purpose of DRM is to control who can access digital content and how they can use it. This technology also helps protect copyrighted material from being pirated or stolen.
Types of DRM
DRM in video streaming is an umbrella term for technologies used to protect content from unauthorized usage. It can be broadly divided into two categories:
Copy protection – Preventing users from copying or sharing content with others.
Playback control – Restricting the playback experience of a user by limiting which devices and locations it can be played on.
Software-based DRM can be removed by simply deleting the files, whereas hardware-based DRM cannot be removed without damaging or destroying the device that it’s installed on.
1. Offers Streaming Service Providers Various Means to Secure Their Content
DRM can be used for multiple purposes, such as:
Preventing content from being copied or otherwise used without authorization.
Limiting the number of times users can view something (e.g., a movie) before they have to pay for it again.
In this way, DRM helps with protecting content from being illegally accessed online by hackers. It plays a vital role in stopping people from sharing and downloading files without paying for using premium content or streaming it online.
2. DRM Enables Access Control to Content
As previously mentioned, DRM in video streaming is used to secure digital media files from being copied and distributed. DRMs offer streaming service providers several different means of securing their content.
Using DRM technologies, companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video can control who has access to their movies and videos. This means you need an Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or another streaming device with compatible DRM technology to stream movies and TV shows on your television set.
DRMs also allow streaming services to control what devices can play their content. For example, Amazon Prime Video uses DRM technologies to ensure that only devices that support its technology will stream movies from the service.
3. Detect Whether a Stream is Being Recorded or Not
DRM can also detect whether a stream is being recorded or not. This means you will have to pay for the content if you want to record it and then watch it later on, so it may not be worth it for consumers to try and get around this issue since DRM will know when this type of illegal activity occurs.
The rights holders usually don’t mind if you record something live, such as a sporting event or concert, but they do object if you try to sell copies of these recordings on your website or through other channels.
If you are a copyright holder, you can use software that will detect if someone is streaming your content without paying for it. This software will send out an alert when this happens, and you can then take action against the user who streamed the content illegally.
If you don’t know how to get around DRM or are worried about being caught, there are many legal ways to watch live sports streams online.
4. Helps Slow Down Piracy
Users who know how to record streams may find workarounds, but having DRM in place still helps slow down piracy.
For example, when one person records a video and uploads it to the internet for other people to download, that’s called “stream ripping.” It’s illegal because the content owner didn’t permit someone else to take what was originally their property.
DRM won’t stop all stream rips from happening – but it does help protect against them by making it harder for others to do so in the first place.
When you’re recording a stream, you may notice that the video quality isn’t as good, or the sound does not get recorded. This is another reason why content owners use DRM: it helps protect their property by preventing others from making copies of it. It can reduce the audio quality of streams or block them entirely.
5. DRM Benefits Both Consumers and Content Creators
DRM-protected video is a win-win situation for both the consumer and the service provider. It ensures your content is protected from being pirated and accessed by unauthorized users. It also prevents hacking into your system, which can be harmful to your business as well as your customers.
The benefits of using DRM are not limited to just these two. It also offers you the following:
Improved security and privacy protection.
Access control over your data and files.
Conclusion
DRM in video streaming has become increasingly common in recent years because of its many benefits. Among others, it can help content creators protect against piracy and unauthorized usage of their online premium content.
DRM can not only block unauthorized video streams, but it can also know how many times a certain file has been played. This gives content creators much more control over their intellectual property to ensure that their content is not being used illegally.
If you make or share videos online, you know why it’s crucial to protect your content. People might copy your videos, download them illegally, or try to watch without permission. This is a problem because it can cost you money in subscriptions and ads.
This article applies to digital publishers, media companies, broadcasters, and anyone with videos on the internet.
Whether your videos make you money or just help you get attention, making videos is a big deal. So, you need security to control who can watch your videos and how.
What is DRM? DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. It’s a way to protect digital videos online (and also things like CDs and Blu-Ray discs). You can check more detail here!
DRM makes sure that people can only watch a video if they have a special key. This makes it much harder for people to watch your premium videos without permission.
To keep it simple, there are three main parts to DRM for videos:
Your video itself. The actual video file must be encrypted for DRM.
The video player. The player showing your video to people needs to know how to unlock it.
Your license server. To unlock a video, the player asks your server for a key and some important info.
Why You Need Video DRM Usually, many video players show “clear content,” which means the videos aren’t protected by DRM. This makes it easy for people to copy and share your videos. If you want to protect your content, you need DRM in your video distribution.
DRM’s job is to store and send videos in a secret code. It only gets unscrambled for authorized viewers or devices. Think of it like passing a note with invisible ink in class. Only someone with a special light can read it.
In real terms, DRM helps you control your top-notch videos. It stops piracy and saves you money from people who might watch without paying.
3 Important DRM Technologies Unfortunately, DRM for videos isn’t easy right now. There’s no one-size-fits-all system. Each web browser and streaming tech uses different rules.
But among all the DRM tech out there, three are super important: Google Widevine, Apple FairPlay, and Microsoft PlayReady.
Google Widevine Videos protected by Google Widevine work on Chrome, Firefox, and Android devices. It doesn’t work on Chrome for iOS. It supports streaming methods called MPEG-DASH and HLS.
Apple FairPlay FairPlay works for videos on Safari, macOS, and iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. It only works with HLS streaming.
Note: To use Apple FairPlay, you need to pay for a certificate from an Apple developer account.
Microsoft PlayReady PlayReady protects videos on IE11, Edge browsers, and Xbox devices. It also supports HLS streaming.
Bonus: Clearkey Another popular way to protect videos with Thudo Multimedia is Sigma DRM. It works with the MPEG-DASH streaming method.
If you want to learn more about the different methods Thudo Multimedia supports, check out our DRM developer plugin page.
How to Set Up DRM So, if you want to use DRM to protect your videos with the top 3 technologies, what do you do?
Securely share video content withSigma DRM/Multi DRM
If you did it all yourself, you’d need to set up your own servers and make deals with each tech company. But that’s expensive and complicated.
A better way is to use a multi-DRM online video platform (OVP) like Flowplayer. It lets you use all these DRM technologies without much trouble!
Setting up a DRM Player With an enterprise Sigma DRM account, you get lots of DRM options. You can also add extra security like geolocation rules and tokenized streams.
But it might cost more, and the price can vary. Just know that Sigma DRM/Multi DRM can work with almost any major DRM solution you like!
For example, Sigma DRM/Multi DRM protects digital content during transmission on the internet and focuses on securing media content, providing a system with high availability and large load capacity. It includes an API to keep your videos safe on all common browsers and mobile devices.
One real-world example is VieOn, an entertainment video publisher. They needed to protect their content while providing free COVID-19 materials. By using Sigma DRM/Multi DRM, they could secure live, on-demand, downloadable, and offline videos.
Quick DRM Terms
DRM: It stops unauthorized people from watching digital media.
CDM: This helps DRM by decoding encrypted videos. Google Widevine, Apple FairPlay, and Microsoft PlayReady are CDMs.
MPEG-DASH: A way to stream videos with different quality levels.
HLS: Apple’s way to stream videos with different quality levels.
CENC: A standard way to protect videos that all major DRM systems use.
EME: A tool for web browsers to talk to CDMs and use DRM.
In Conclusion A multi-DRM player is a great way to protect your best videos and make the most money. Good DRM systems help you control who watches your videos.
No system is perfect, but Thudo Multimedia makes it easy to use DRM. You also get cool features like ad scheduling and better video quality. You can create an awesome customer experience, make more money, and build a strong brand.
To learn more about how Sigma DRM/Multi DRM works, contact us here. Or check out all the features in our Enterprise plan on our Plans and Pricing page!”
In the fast-changing world of online ads, the goal is to show ads to the right people on a big scale. Advertisers always look for new ways to reach lots of people, make ads that fit well, and give everyone a good ad and content experience. That’s where Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) comes in and changes the game. In this guide, we’ll explain what SSAI is and how it can help you show targeted ads to many people while making sure the ads are enjoyable. We’ll also share some successful strategies for showing lots of targeted ads.
Understanding the Power of SSAI
What Is SSAI?
Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) plays a pivotal role in enabling the delivery of targeted ads at scale
Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI)is a cutting-edge technology that enables seamless ad insertion into digital content streams on the server side. Unlike Client-Side Ad Insertion (CSAI), which relies on the user’s device to insert ads, SSAI executes this process on the server before delivering the content to the viewer. This distinction is crucial for delivering targeted ads at scale efficiently.
The Advantages of SSAI
Reduced Ad Blockers: Since ads are seamlessly inserted on the server side, they are less likely to be blocked by ad-blocker extensions, ensuring a broader reach for your advertisements.
Enhanced User Experience: SSAI ensures a smooth transition between content and ads, eliminating buffering issues or abrupt interruptions, leading to a better quality of experience for viewers.
Detailed Analytics: SSAI provides comprehensive analytics, allowing advertisers to gather valuable insights into ad performance and viewer engagement.
Addressing Large Audiences with Targeted Ads
The Challenge of Scalability
One of the primary challenges in digital advertising is efficiently reaching a large and diverse audience while ensuring that the ads resonate with individual viewers. Traditional advertising methods often struggle to deliver targeted ads at scale due to limitations in ad insertion and tracking.
Leveraging SSAI for Scalability
SSAI enables advertisers to address large audiences with precision. Here’s how:
Real-time Decisioning: SSAI solutions can analyze viewer data in real-time, allowing advertisers to make data-driven decisions and select the most relevant ads for each viewer.
Dynamic Ad Stitching: SSAI dynamically stitches ads into the content stream, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. This capability is especially crucial for live content, where precise ad timing is essential.
Granular Targeting: SSAI systems can segment audiences based on various criteria, such as demographics, geography, and viewing history. This granular targeting ensures that ads are tailored to the preferences and interests of individual viewers.
Scalable Infrastructure: SSAI solutions are designed to handle large-scale ad delivery efficiently, ensuring that targeted ads reach millions of viewers without performance issues.
Deliver Targeted Ads at Scale by Increasing Ad Relevance for Live and On-Demand Content
The Importance of Ad Relevance
Irrelevant ads can be a major turn-off for viewers, leading to ad fatigue and decreased engagement. To combat this, advertisers must strive to deliver ads that align with the content and viewer preferences.
Leveraging SSAI for Ad Relevance
SSAI is a powerful tool for enhancing ad relevance. Here’s how SSAI can help:
Contextual Targeting: SSAI systems can analyze the content being viewed and select ads that are contextually relevant. For example, if a viewer is watching a sports event, SSAI can insert sports-related ads.
Viewer Profiling: By collecting data on viewer behavior and preferences, SSAI can build viewer profiles. These profiles enable advertisers to serve ads that align with each viewer’s interests.
Frequency Capping: SSAI solutions can implement frequency capping to ensure that viewers do not see the same ad repeatedly. This prevents ad fatigue and enhances the viewer’s experience.
A/B Testing: Advertisers can use SSAI to conduct A/B testing of different ad creatives, ensuring that only the most effective ads are delivered to viewers.
Delivering Engaging Quality of Experience for Ads and Content
Seamless Integration of Ads
A major concern for advertisers is delivering ads that seamlessly integrate with the content. Viewers are more likely to engage with ads that feel like a natural part of their viewing experience.
Leveraging SSAI for Quality Integration
Sigma DAI: Elegant solution for ad insertion
SSAI excels in delivering a high-quality experience for both ads and content:
Buffer-Free Transitions: SSAI ensures smooth transitions between content and ads, eliminating buffering delays or abrupt switches that can frustrate viewers.
Consistent Viewing Experience: With SSAI, the video quality and viewing experience remain consistent throughout the content, including ad breaks.
Interactive Ads: SSAI enables interactive ad formats, allowing viewers to engage with ads, such as choosing to watch a longer ad in exchange for an ad-free viewing experience.
Ad Personalization: SSAI can personalize ads based on viewer data, making the ads more engaging and relevant to individual viewers.
Winning Strategies with Field-Proven Large-Scale Targeted Ad Workflows
Strategy 1: Data-Driven Targeting
Embrace data-driven targeting by leveraging SSAI’s real-time decisioning capabilities. Analyze viewer data to understand preferences and behaviors, and use this information to select and serve targeted ads. Continuously refine your targeting strategies based on performance data.
Strategy 2: Contextual Advertising
Implement contextual advertising with SSAI by analyzing the content being viewed. Align ad creatives with the context of the content, ensuring that ads feel relevant and seamlessly integrated. This strategy is particularly effective for live events and news content.
Strategy 3: Viewer Profiling
Build detailed viewer profiles using SSAI. Collect data on viewing history, demographics, and interactions. Leverage these profiles to personalize ad delivery and ensure that each viewer receives ads tailored to their interests.
Strategy 4: A/B Testing
Constantly optimize your ad creatives by conducting A/B testing with SSAI. Test different ad variations to identify the most effective ones. Implement the winning ad creatives to improve engagement and conversion rates.
Strategy 5: Ad Quality Assurance
Prioritize ad quality by ensuring that ads are well-produced and optimized for various devices and screen sizes. SSAI can deliver high-quality ads, but it’s essential to create compelling ad content.
Conclusion
In the dynamic world of digital advertising, delivering targeted ads at scale is both a challenge and an opportunity. Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) empowers advertisers to overcome scalability hurdles, enhance ad relevance, and provide a seamless viewing experience. By adopting innovative SSAI strategies and field-proven workflows, advertisers can maximize the impact of their ad campaigns, engage viewers effectively, and drive results in the competitive digital advertising landscape. Stay ahead of the curve and make SSAI an integral part of your advertising arsenal to deliver targeted ads at scale like never before.
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