Sanjay DudaDirector General at Planetcast Media Services, leading the company’s development by expanding its cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings internationally. With over 21 years at Planetcast, he has led new businesses in cloud playout, post-production, over-the-top streaming, and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST). Sanjay’s expertise is said to attract not only marquee customers. globally but also transforming Planetcast services, including Cloud Playout, FAST Channels, OTT platforms, and Post Production services.
MTECH from IIT Mumbai, Sanjays consulting background at Industrial Development Services, New Delhi, is said to provide him with market entry strategies and techno-economic feasibility assessments for various sectors. His marketing and management experience generally extends to multinational companies like Total and Samsung. In an interaction with Times of India, Sanjay spoke about the evolution of Planetcast Media Services over the years in terms of changes in content display, technological changes in IPL and more.
Tell us about Planetcast’s transformation journey from IaaS to PaaS to meet the evolving demands of the media and entertainment industry.
Planetcast’s transformation from Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to Platform as a Service (PaaS) has been marked by several technological advances. Our journey started with a vision to grow, to be the first company in India to offer live video contribution via satellite and to host the first commercial teleport. From 1996 to 2006, we focused on building advanced infrastructure. In 2007, we developed a proprietary playout and content management system, partnered with Sony for the first IPL, celebrating 16 years of this partnership in 2024. We have been part of the evolution of the IPL from cable and DTH streaming to OTT, incorporating AI-generated highlights, multilingual graphics, comment streams, and live ad insertion.’
Between 2007 and 2020, we expanded our offering, formed strategic partnerships with major broadcasters like Star, Disney, and Viacom18, and opened an office in Singapore in 2017. The turning point in Planetcast’s journey was the acquisition by Apollo Global.
What was the biggest factor that helped with this transition?
Planetcast’s transition from IaaS to PaaS has been supported by a strategic focus on innovation and targeted investment in technology. Our evolution is essential to meet demographic and device-driven broadcasting and streaming demands. The arrival of 5G and improved internet accessibility marks a significant shift towards streaming over traditional broadcast methods. Globalization has led to localization and an increase in video content, exemplified by subtitling and dubbing services for clients like Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar, and Star, making content accessible to a diverse global audience.
Proactive government action also helped content creators to launch customized platforms, and UPI eased the complexity of payments, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for innovative content businesses.
How do you see the way content has changed in the past few years in terms of technology? Sony India, Star etc have been with your clients for over a decade now, how has the service changed over the years?
Content viewing has changed significantly with the rise of OTT platforms and on-demand viewing, driven by faster internet, advanced devices, and easy payment solutions. For those born in the late 90s and early 2000s, smaller screens and short content are now the norm.
For long-time clients like Sony India, Star, and Viacom, our services have evolved from infrastructure support to cloud-based solutions and OTT services. Government regulations, particularly in infrastructure and streaming, have expanded our global market, with uplink and bandwidth opportunities exceeding $1.06 billion in regions like the EU, MENA, and ANZ.
Traditional broadcasters are moving to digital delivery through content aggregators, social media, and apps to increase reach and monetization. The move to cloud solutions is driven by flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, with security and integration important. Outsourcing allows broadcasters to focus on their core competencies, and our proprietary cloud suite enables efficient content management and distribution, ensuring faster and faster audience engagement. AI technology further enhances the content experience.
Planetcast is one of the key partners bringing IPL to audiences in India and around the world. What are the challenges and lessons of broadcasting an event on this scale?
Broadcasting the IPL is a complex endeavor with significant challenges and learning opportunities. Managing large volumes of live content on a global platform with low latency and the highest quality is critical. For more than 16 years, we have adapted to technological advances from HD to 4K, using on-premise and cloud settings and analytics-driven streaming.
IPL requires meticulous planning and resource management for a perfect audience experience. Logistics are complex, with simultaneous coverage in multiple locations requiring proper coordination and contingency planning.
Tell us about the way forward for the company, and what do you see as the next milestones for streaming in India?
Going forward, we see the next milestone for streaming in India as achieving seamless integration and a personalized experience across all platforms. This includes using advanced analytics and AI-driven insights to optimize content delivery and audience engagement. As the streaming landscape evolves, Planetcast aims to stay at the forefront, innovating to meet industry dynamics while upholding our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
MTECH from IIT Mumbai, Sanjays consulting background at Industrial Development Services, New Delhi, is said to provide him with market entry strategies and techno-economic feasibility assessments for various sectors. His marketing and management experience generally extends to multinational companies like Total and Samsung. In an interaction with Times of India, Sanjay spoke about the evolution of Planetcast Media Services over the years in terms of changes in content display, technological changes in IPL and more.
Tell us about Planetcast’s transformation journey from IaaS to PaaS to meet the evolving demands of the media and entertainment industry.
Planetcast’s transformation from Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to Platform as a Service (PaaS) has been marked by several technological advances. Our journey started with a vision to grow, to be the first company in India to offer live video contribution via satellite and to host the first commercial teleport. From 1996 to 2006, we focused on building advanced infrastructure. In 2007, we developed a proprietary playout and content management system, partnered with Sony for the first IPL, celebrating 16 years of this partnership in 2024. We have been part of the evolution of the IPL from cable and DTH streaming to OTT, incorporating AI-generated highlights, multilingual graphics, comment streams, and live ad insertion.’
Between 2007 and 2020, we expanded our offering, formed strategic partnerships with major broadcasters like Star, Disney, and Viacom18, and opened an office in Singapore in 2017. The turning point in Planetcast’s journey was the acquisition by Apollo Global.
What was the biggest factor that helped with this transition?
Planetcast’s transition from IaaS to PaaS has been supported by a strategic focus on innovation and targeted investment in technology. Our evolution is essential to meet demographic and device-driven broadcasting and streaming demands. The arrival of 5G and improved internet accessibility marks a significant shift towards streaming over traditional broadcast methods. Globalization has led to localization and an increase in video content, exemplified by subtitling and dubbing services for clients like Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar, and Star, making content accessible to a diverse global audience.
Proactive government action also helped content creators to launch customized platforms, and UPI eased the complexity of payments, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for innovative content businesses.
How do you see the way content has changed in the past few years in terms of technology? Sony India, Star etc have been with your clients for over a decade now, how has the service changed over the years?
Content viewing has changed significantly with the rise of OTT platforms and on-demand viewing, driven by faster internet, advanced devices, and easy payment solutions. For those born in the late 90s and early 2000s, smaller screens and short content are now the norm.
For long-time clients like Sony India, Star, and Viacom, our services have evolved from infrastructure support to cloud-based solutions and OTT services. Government regulations, particularly in infrastructure and streaming, have expanded our global market, with uplink and bandwidth opportunities exceeding $1.06 billion in regions like the EU, MENA, and ANZ.
Traditional broadcasters are moving to digital delivery through content aggregators, social media, and apps to increase reach and monetization. The move to cloud solutions is driven by flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, with security and integration important. Outsourcing allows broadcasters to focus on their core competencies, and our proprietary cloud suite enables efficient content management and distribution, ensuring faster and faster audience engagement. AI technology further enhances the content experience.
Planetcast is one of the key partners bringing IPL to audiences in India and around the world. What are the challenges and lessons of broadcasting an event on this scale?
Broadcasting the IPL is a complex endeavor with significant challenges and learning opportunities. Managing large volumes of live content on a global platform with low latency and the highest quality is critical. For more than 16 years, we have adapted to technological advances from HD to 4K, using on-premise and cloud settings and analytics-driven streaming.
IPL requires meticulous planning and resource management for a perfect audience experience. Logistics are complex, with simultaneous coverage in multiple locations requiring proper coordination and contingency planning.
Tell us about the way forward for the company, and what do you see as the next milestones for streaming in India?
Going forward, we see the next milestone for streaming in India as achieving seamless integration and a personalized experience across all platforms. This includes using advanced analytics and AI-driven insights to optimize content delivery and audience engagement. As the streaming landscape evolves, Planetcast aims to stay at the forefront, innovating to meet industry dynamics while upholding our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
