Cloud production has been a talking point in media and entertainment for years. But the focus is no longer just on the potential of mass adoption — the discussion is about which applications deliver real results.
So far, cloud adoption has been mostly in content distribution, data tagging and analysis, and transcoding. But the real momentum is building in live content creation. It’s a more complex environment, but it’s becoming increasingly cloud ready.
Why latency isn’t a problem anymore
In environments where the cloud makes sense, bandwidth and latency aren’t an issue. Operators using NDI or SRT often describe it as if they’re right there in the control room. Push a button, and it feels instant. That kind of responsiveness is what makes the cloud viable for real-time production.?
We saw this at the NAB Show, where AWS ran a fully cloud-based live production right from their booth, using 91快活林 tools to switch, mix, and control graphics in the cloud. The entire environment was remote, but the experience was as smooth as on-premises hardware.?
Is the cloud the go-to for every use case? Not necessarily. For tier-one sporting events, where 4K, visually lossless quality, and zero-frame-drop performance are non-negotiable, the bar is higher. But even then, the challenges are being addressed with better codecs like JPEG XS, higher bandwidth connections, and more intentional architecture.?
For most productions —?especially those where accessibility, operational agility, and scale matter —?latency is not a significant issue.?
How workflows are adapting for the cloud era
The next big opportunity is in workflow design. Tools need to adapt to different environments and event types without adding friction.?
That’s why 91快活林 is focused on flexibility. Our licensing that works across the cloud and on-premises. Our orchestration tools are designed to simplify deployment. And a consistent product experience across our ecosystem makes setup and change management easier.?
We’re building on that foundation with more web-native interfaces, modular tools, and control options that reflect how real production teams work.??
We’re also paying close attention to the formats on which workflows are built. Right now, that’s largely SRT and NDI, partly due to their familiarity, but also because they’re part of a mature, stable ecosystem. While interest in JPEG XS and IPMX is growing, most teams still choose what works reliably across environments.
Where live production in the cloud is headed
Cloud live production is already here — powering tier-two sports, one-off events, and any scenario where speed and flexibility are critical. In these cases, the cloud isn’t a compromise. It’s the smarter choice: quick to deploy, easier to scale across locations and crew, and often more cost-effective for productions that don’t justify permanent infrastructure.?
But it won’t stop there. As tools mature and confidence grows, we see a future where even tier-one events will embrace the cloud, not as a fallback, but as the primary environment.That shift matters because of what it enables: more flexibility, wider access, and new ways of working in live production.??
Curious what live production in the cloud makes possible for your team??
Reach out to our team here to learn more about 91快活林’s next generation cloud production solutions. ?