Kaltura, the video experience cloud, has been selected by Israeli commercial broadcaster Reshet 13 to upgrade its direct-to-consumer video service. Reshet 13 (broadcasting on Channel 13) is one of Israel's leading commercial television channels. It offers a wide range of entertainment via its digital platform, and will benefit from Kaltura’s advanced video technology, along with hosting on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
After evaluating alternative providers, Reshet 13 chose Kaltura to replace its existing online video platform. Kaltura carried out the technology migration and implemented its platform for Reshet 13 including bespoke player plug-ins for client-side dynamic ad insertion (DAI), integration with Google Ad Manager, alongside analytics and audience measurement capability. The solution includes an integration with AWS for delivery of live linear channels and CloudFront CDN.
Reshet 13 is benefitting from fast deployment by Kaltura - the migration went live at the end of September 2020 just six weeks after contract. As part of the large, ambitious project, Kaltura seamlessly migrated over 170,000 content assets to the new platform. A key objective for Reshet 13 was timely delivery in order to support the live broadcasts of its flagship annual Big Brother show (pictured). Reshet 13 provides a premium Big Brother Channel which broadcasts for several months each year. Kaltura developed a bespoke solution which enabled Reshet 13 to monetise the web livestreaming of its Big Brother 2020 service through personalised, client-side ads.
With a reach of almost six million viewers, Reshet 13 is one of the fastest growing broadcasters in Israel with 15% year-on-year ratings growth. Reshet 13 also has the youngest TV audience of all main commercial broadcasters in the country. Available terrestrially as well as via cable, satellite and mobile, Reshet 13 airs its popular TV programming, including Big Brother - Israel, Survivor - Israel, and other quality Israeli-produced content, as linear TV and VOD. Like many broadcasters internationally, Reshet 13 offers a D2C online service to expand reach and engagement with its viewers beyond the traditional broadcast value chain. The service is distributed online, to mobile devices and smart TVs.
“Viewing audiences today have very high expectations of video service quality, and we need to be ready to meet these requirements as they grow and evolve,” said Gal Goren, chief digital officer at Reshet 13. “Now, thanks to Kaltura, we have a flexible, future-ready video platform which will leverage the efficiencies enabled by cloud technology at scale. We very much appreciate that Kaltura delivered this big project so rapidly, and with no disruption for our viewers.”
Nuno Sanches, Kaltura general manager, media and telecom, said: “We are honored that Reshet 13 chose Kaltura to power its direct-to-consumer service, and is using our advanced video technology to stream some of Israel’s most popular TV shows. With its new advanced advertising technology and better understanding of viewership made possible through audience measurement and analytics, Reshet 13 has the opportunity to explore new commercial possibilities, get a greater understanding of content assets’ value and realise enhanced monetisation.”
