Akamai Announces CMAF Support for Transcoding Services

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the global leader in content delivery network (CDN) services, today announced that its cloud transcoding service for on-demand content now supports the Common Media Application Format (CMAF). The CMAF specification defines a common file format for segmented media delivery and is currently under Draft International Standard status at the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). This common file format is designed to allow for efficiencies to be realized in the encoding, packaging, storage and delivery of over-the-top (OTT) content across the online video ecosystem.

To reach the most viewers, content providers currently must create and store multiple renditions of a single title to accommodate various playback formats and device types. While the individual formats themselves are sound, the redundant processing and extra storage requirements introduce greater opportunity for error, increased complexity and added expenses. The CMAF standard is intended to streamline the entire process through the need for only a single file rendition that can be played back on any device.

“CMAF technology represents the convergence of the OTT industry towards the usage of a single type of file container for delivering media assets to broad spectrum of devices, from smart TVs, laptops and phones to smart watches,” said Sam Rosen, vice president, ABI Research. “CMAF supports common encryption and next-generation codecs as well as multi-track video and audio and advanced captions and subtitles which helps support the launch of international services. Content producers, encoders, distributors and consumers all stand to benefit from the increased efficiencies enabled by a single converged file format.”

CMAF support is initially available to those customers using Akamai’s on-demand transcoding services, part of the company’s cloud-based Media Services On Demand OTT workflow solution. A CMAF content preparation option is available in addition to existing support for established formats including Adobe HDS, Apple HLS, Microsoft Smooth Streaming and MPEG-DASH.

“Akamai is committed to driving the maturation and growth of the OTT video industry through support for important standards such as CMAF while continuing to help our customers address their current technology and business needs in delivering the highest-possible quality online video at scale,” said Will Law, Chief Architect, Media, Akamai. “CMAF can help simplify the complexities that are inherent to OTT workflows and enable content providers to more efficiently reach larger audiences at high quality with fewer operational expenses.”

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