Edgio and Vimond Enhance Streaming for NHK

There’s an old Japanese proverb that says, Aun no kokyu・阿吽の呼吸,it is used when two or more people do something in sync without saying anything, like a great classic dance pair, or in sync without words.

Edgio and Vimond recently brought that proverb to life when they joined forces to bring optimized streaming to NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc. (NCMA), a subsidiary of NHK.

But first, a little background into NHK and how a bold new move is changing the entire landscape for the better in 2024.

On April 1, it was out with the old cables and in with new digital streaming after more than 30 years of providing Japanese-language programming to North American audiences. This milestone moved the needle from linear to digital-first and digital-only for traditional broadcast content.

“Jme”, a new direct-to-consumer over-the-top (OTT) broadcasting service, was created when the Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK realized that a one-size-fits-all approach to programming no longer works.

With the new streaming platform, the company aims to adapt to changing viewer habits and the increasing demand for flexible, on-demand content.

The transition reflects broader industry trends, including the ongoing shift from traditional cable television to streaming services, underscoring the impact of cord-cutting movements and the growing success of niche streaming platforms.

“The schedule of programs will be slightly different,” Fujino explained. “NHK World Premium is distributed live from Tokyo, so it can be difficult for people in the U.S. to watch live in a timely manner, taking into account the time differences between Japan and North America, as well as between Eastern and Western Japan and Hawaii.”

Jme promises to maintain the core programming of TV Japan, including live NHK news, the latest dramas, popular movies, and more. The service will also offer adjustments for global time differences to cater to its international audience effectively. In a bid to attract subscribers, TV Japan offered a 30-day free trial for customers who registered between March 20 and April 30.

How Do Edgio and Vimond Fit In?

The combination of Edgio and Vimond brings together two prominent technology companies with complementary strengths and expertise. Vimond, a leading video technology provider, specializing in online video platforms offers a robust content management system, effective monetization models and flexible and targeted distribution. Uplynk is the foundation for a customer’s video business. It’s how the world’s largest content owners manage disparate technologies, from ingest to content management to cloud playout and delivery, using a fraction of the resources needed to build and support it themselves.​ ​ We allow your business to focus on its differentiators not ours.

Uplynk and Vimond have joined forces to make streaming easy, reliable, and affordable. Uplynk helps create and distribute FAST channels with low latency and no buffering. Vimond provides tools for managing online videos and content. Together, they enhance services for NHK and other industries, saving teams time while ensuring high-quality live and on-demand video.

VIA is the core product used to add metadata and manage content in apps and websites. It supports everything from media ingest to asset management and distribution, offering a user-friendly CMS. With Edgio managing delivery, creating FAST channels is simplified, ensuring low latency and the best video quality for live and on-demand content.

Key features include:

• Smooth transitions from live to VOD
• High-quality, broadcast-grade video
• Scalable for large audiences
• Reliable service levels
• Trusted by major broadcasters
• Support for live events
• Easy-to-use workflow
• Integrated front and backend access
• Flexible business models
• Various monetization options (SVOD, TVOD, AVOD)
• Customizable viewer experiences

Together, Edgio Uplynk and Vimond provide a powerful solution for superior video quality and efficient streaming operations.

Preparing for the New Landscape

The future indeed looks bright for NHK and viewers of Japanese programming, but just like any big transition, there are also challenges. In this case, it is for older demographics accustomed to traditional TV viewing who may be resistant to accepting the change.

To ensure that no one is left behind, TV Japan and Jme plan to host a series of seminars in the Los Angeles area to assist viewers in making the switch to the new service.

Although accepting change may be hard for some, knowing that there is a team dedicated to helping them through the transition and into the future makes it a whole lot easier and less painful.

Consumers’ needs have changed. NHK, along with the significant and professional help from Edgio and Vimond, are listening. It may be an end of an era, but it’s also an open door to a whole new brighter future where digital footprints are expanded for broadcasters and consumers get the quality content they want and when they want it.

By joining forces, Edgio and Vimond can create a powerful synergy that enhances capabilities across multiple industries. The integration of Edgio’s solutions and services with Vimond’s video technology enables them to offer comprehensive digital solutions for businesses in media, entertainment, and other sectors. This combined entity can cater to a broader range of client needs, providing end-to-end technological solutions, from ingest processes to video content management and distribution.

Together, we can transform the streaming and how users view content.