Harmonic has introduced new origin capabilities for its VOS® and XOS Advanced Media Processor platforms, aiming to optimize cost efficiency and operational flexibility for service providers and broadcasters. The update, which integrates hybrid cloud and on-premises storage, reflects an incremental but strategic enhancement in video streaming infrastructure. The advancements will be showcased at the 2025 NAB Show.
Hybrid Cloud-Origin Strategy Balances Cost and Scalability
The new origin capabilities blend VOS360 Media SaaS and VOS Media Software to offer a hybrid storage approach. Frequently accessed content remains on-premises, while long-tail assets and network personal video recorder (nPVR) content are offloaded to the cloud. This architecture allows service providers to optimize cloud storage costs—one of the more significant expenses in streaming infrastructure—while maintaining necessary on-premises functionality.
By automating content migration between storage tiers, Harmonic provides a flexible and scalable solution that adapts to fluctuating demand. The unified UI across cloud and on-premises elements also addresses a common pain point in hybrid deployments: operational complexity.
Streamlining Broadcast Workflows with XOS Advanced Media Processor
For broadcasters, Harmonic has embedded live and time-shift origin functionality directly into the XOS Advanced Media Processor, enabling content to stream directly to CDNs without additional infrastructure. This approach consolidates traditional streaming workflows, reducing hardware costs and simplifying operations.
“We’re redefining what’s possible with a streaming solution that combines everything from playout to compression, origin, and delivery,” said Gil Rudge, SVP of products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. “Optimizing origin functionality and associated storage costs is a considerable challenge for service providers and broadcasters. With our latest innovation, we are enabling customers to deploy their streaming services efficiently and profitably—an essential advantage in today’s competitive environment.”
Strategic Implications in the Streaming Infrastructure Market
Harmonic’s latest product update is more of a thoughtful refinement than a disruptive shift. While it doesn’t introduce fundamentally new technology, the hybrid origin solution is well-aligned with the industry’s gradual cloud adoption. The company’s approach balances predictable cloud-based recurring revenue with continued support for on-prem deployments, acknowledging that full cloud transitions remain impractical for many media companies.
The integration of origin functionality into the XOS Advanced Media Processor is a key technical advantage. By eliminating separate infrastructure components, Harmonic simplifies deployment, reduces points of failure, and lowers costs.
Competitors such as AWS Elemental, Synamedia, and MediaKind offer comparable hybrid solutions, meaning Harmonic’s success will hinge on implementation quality and customer adoption. The timing of this announcement, just ahead of NAB 2025, positions the company to capitalize on industry attention at a time when streaming profitability remains a critical focus for service providers and broadcasters.
