A Video on Demand (VOD) platform is a streaming service that allows users to select and watch multilingual video content at their convenience, unlike traditional TV broadcasting with fixed schedules. VOD platforms empower users to decide what, when, and where to watch, on any device of their choice. Source
A VOD platform delivers video content over the internet through several steps: content acquisition, production, storage and management in a digital library, encoding into various formats, and delivery via content delivery networks (CDNs). Users interact with the platform to search, select, and watch content, often aided by personalization algorithms. Source
Key components include:
Hygraph is essential for VOD platforms because it provides high-performance APIs for seamless streaming, streamlines metadata management, enhances user engagement through structured data and GraphQL, supports frictionless editorial workflows, and ensures robust content security with granular access controls, staging, scheduling, and localization. Source
Hygraph helped Telenor deliver a high-performance, engaging, and secure VOD platform, reaching millions of viewers across the Nordics. Source
Hygraph offers a GraphQL-native architecture, content federation, scalability, high-performance APIs, streamlined metadata management, frictionless editorial workflows, and robust security features including granular access controls, content staging, scheduling, and localization. Source
Yes, Hygraph supports a wide range of integrations including Netlify, Vercel, BigCommerce, commercetools, Shopify, Lokalise, Crowdin, EasyTranslate, Smartling, Aprimo, AWS S3, Bynder, Cloudinary, Mux, Scaleflex Filerobot, Ninetailed, AltText.ai, Adminix, and Plasmic. Source
Yes, Hygraph provides a powerful GraphQL API for efficient content fetching and management. Source
Hygraph emphasizes optimized content delivery performance, ensuring rapid content distribution and responsiveness. This reduces bounce rates, increases conversions, and positively impacts user experience and search engine rankings. Source
Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant, ensuring enterprise-grade security and regulatory compliance. Source
Hygraph provides robust security features such as SSO integrations, audit logs, encryption at rest and in transit, sandbox environments, and granular access controls to protect sensitive data and content. Source
Hygraph offers a free forever Hobby plan, a Growth plan starting at $199/month, and custom Enterprise plans. For details, visit the pricing page.
You can start building your VOD platform by creating a free-forever account at Hygraph. For custom requirements, contact the Hygraph team for tailored solutions. Contact Sales
Hygraph is designed for easy implementation, even for non-technical users. For example, Top Villas launched a new project in just 2 months. Comprehensive documentation, onboarding guides, and support resources are available to help you get started quickly. Documentation
Hygraph offers 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone, onboarding sessions for enterprise customers, training resources (video tutorials, documentation, webinars), and access to Customer Success Managers. Contact Page
Hygraph is trusted by companies such as Sennheiser, Holidaycheck, Ancestry, Samsung, Dr. Oetker, Epic Games, Bandai Namco, Gamescom, Leo Vegas, and Clayton Homes. Case Studies
Industries represented in Hygraph's case studies include Food and Beverage, Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Healthcare, Travel and Hospitality, Media and Publishing, eCommerce, SaaS, Marketplace, Education Technology, and Wellness and Fitness. Source
Komax achieved 3X faster time to market, Autoweb saw a 20% increase in website monetization, Samsung improved customer engagement with a scalable platform, and Dr. Oetker enhanced their digital experience using MACH architecture. Source
Hygraph addresses operational pains (reliance on developers, outdated tech stacks, conflicting global team needs, clunky content creation), financial pains (high operational costs, slow speed-to-market, expensive maintenance, scalability challenges), and technical pains (boilerplate code, overwhelming queries, evolving schemas, cache problems, OpenID integration challenges). Source
Hygraph provides an intuitive interface for non-technical users, modernizes legacy systems with GraphQL-native architecture, ensures consistent branding with content federation, streamlines workflows to reduce costs, accelerates speed-to-market, minimizes maintenance expenses, supports scalability, and simplifies development with efficient query management and schema evolution. Source
Comprehensive technical documentation is available at Hygraph Documentation, covering everything needed to build and deploy projects.
Written by Sabika
on Sep 19, 2023The world of digital entertainment is rapidly evolving, and one of the most significant changes is the explosive growth of video on demand (VOD) services.
In an era where streaming content rules supreme, VOD businesses are booming globally. According to Statista, the VOD market is currently standing at US$ 159.4 billion in revenue and is projected to grow by 9.71%, with an estimated worth of US$ 230.9 billion by 2027.
This substantial growth is driven by changing consumer preferences and the convenience of accessing content anytime, anywhere across the globe.
As audiences increasingly embrace on-demand content, the competition among VOD providers is fierce. To stand out and thrive in this dynamic landscape, it's crucial for businesses to understand not only the VOD industry's trends but also the technology that underpins it.
This blog will delve into the heart of VOD development, focusing on why a headless content management system (CMS) is a game-changer for building a successful VOD platform.
Video on demand, commonly shortened up as VOD, is a type of streaming platform that allows users to select and watch multilingual video content at their convenience.
Unlike traditional television broadcasting, where viewers are restricted to fixed schedules with constant adverts popping up in the middle of the content, VOD platforms empower users to decide what, when, and where to watch, on the device of their choice.
This flexibility has catapulted VOD into a dominant force in the entertainment industry.
At its core, VOD is about delivering video content over the internet. The process involves the following key steps:
VOD platforms source content from various providers, including studios, independent filmmakers, and original content creators.
You don't always have to acquire content from external sources. It has never been easier to produce content internally within a reasonable budget.
The acquired content is uploaded, stored and organized in a digital video library. This library can contain a vast array of content, from movies and TV shows to documentaries and user-generated videos.
To ensure seamless streaming without buffering or disruptions, content is encoded into various formats and resolutions to accommodate different devices and network conditions.
When a user requests specific content, the VOD platform retrieves and streams the video to the user's device. This involves the use of content delivery networks (CDNs) for efficient and reliable content distribution globally.
Users can interact with the platform's user interface to search, select, and watch content as and when they desire. Personalization algorithms can also be set up to recommend content based on user preferences and viewing history.
Creating a successful VOD platform involves meticulous planning and execution. Here's a simplified overview of the process:
Begin by defining your goals. Who is your target audience? What type of content do you want to showcase? Decide on your business model and identify what sets your platform apart from the competition. This initial phase lays the foundation for your success.
Now, it's time to gather or create the content that will resonate with your chosen audience and align with your platform's theme. High-quality content is the lifeblood of any VOD platform so it is critical to get this step right for its success.
You'll need a robust website architecture that can seamlessly deliver content to your users. Think of it as the backbone of your VOD platform.
To give you a clearer picture, here's a visual representation of what a video on demand platform's architecture typically looks like:
Let us now dive deeper to understand each of architectural component of a VOD platform showcased above:
Video upload service: This essential microservice is responsible for accepting and storing video uploads from users onto a scalable and distributed storage solution. Moreover, it generates crucial video metadata, which is then persisted in a metadata store, such as Hygraph – a Headless CMS with the capability to collect data from multiple sources and distribute it via API to any frontend destination.
Video processing service: ensures your video content is playback-ready. This microservice handles tasks such as:
Video asset handling service: When viewers request to watch a video on your VOD platform, the Video asset handling service takes the lead. As soon as a viewer sends a request, a headless CMS like Hygraph communicates with this microservice, providing all the relevant metadata, including the unique video ID. Subsequently, the correct video is seamlessly streamed to the viewer with the assistance of the CDN.
External API(s): To enrich your VOD platform's content and user experience, you may integrate third-party APIs. These external APIs fetch video-related information from external sources, enhancing your platform's offerings. For instance, your VOD platform might leverage an external API to access movie ratings from IMDb.
Headless CMS: A next-generation headless CMS for the media and entertainment industry, like Hygraph, is a critical component of any VOD platform architecture. Not only does it store all the video metadata but also provides an API that allows other components of the architecture to access the video metadata. In the VOD platform architecture, - the headless CMS plays the following roles:
With these steps and a well-structured architectural framework, you'll be well on your way to building a compelling VOD website that captivates your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
In the complex architecture of a Video on Demand (VOD) platform, a headless CMS like Hygraph proves indispensable for several compelling reasons:
VOD platforms demand unwavering high-performance capabilities to deliver seamless streaming with minimal latency. Hygraph's robust API is tailor-made to meet these rigorous demands, ensuring your viewers enjoy a glitch-free streaming experience.
Managing metadata for an extensive video library can be a daunting task. Here's where Hygraph steps in, simplifying the process. It empowers content publishers to unify and structure metadata effortlessly, enabling efficient content categorization and retrieval.
Viewer retention is the lifeblood of any VOD platform. Hygraph's structured data and GraphQL-first approach play a pivotal role in enhancing the user experience. This results in higher activation rates, improved content stickiness, and ultimately, stronger viewer loyalty.
Content creators need a frictionless environment to work efficiently. Hygraph steps up to the plate with its high-velocity workflow, making it easy to create, edit, and publish content without having to worry about the underlying technology. This means your team can simply focus on delivering captivating content without any unnecessary hurdles.
Protecting your content is paramount. Hygraph offers granular control over content access, bolstered by features like content staging, scheduling, and localization. With Hygraph, you can rest assured that your content will be delivered securely to the right audiences, safeguarding your intellectual property.
In essence, a Headless CMS like Hygraph isn't just an optional addition to your VOD platform; it's a fundamental pillar that works as a glue to hold your VOD platform together, ensuring it not only survives but thrives in the competitive world of digital content.
If you're looking to build your own video on demand platform, consider using Hygraph's headless CMS to streamline your content management and delivery.
Hygraph has successfully helped Telenor deliver a high-performance, engaging, and secure VOD platform that has helped them reach millions of viewers across the Nordics.
Wondering where to start from? Simply start building your VOD platform by creating a free-forever account. If you have any specific requirements or need a custom plan, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We're here to help you succeed in the ever-growing world of video on demand.
Blog Author
Sabika is an experienced Product Marketing Professional passionate about crafting engaging content. Beyond her professional pursuits, Sabika loves immersing herself in the world of literature, exploring diverse cultures, and fueling her creativity through writing.
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