The Streaming Media Readers’ Choice Awards 2020 are now open for voting. Held annually since 2007, the Readers’ Choice Awards has end users awarding exemplary solutions in the video industry. These solutions can range from physical ones, like PTZ or network-controlled cameras, to services that run in the Cloud.
For 2020, IBM has been nominated in these five categories:
- Closed Captioning Solution: IBM Video Streaming
- Cloud Encoding/Transcoding Service: IBM Video Streaming
- Enterprise Video Platform: IBM Enterprise Video Streaming
- OTT Video Platform: IBM Video Streaming for OTT Video Management
- Webcasting/Presentation Solution (Cloud): IBM Video Streaming
VOTE FOR IBM
Please show your support by voting for IBM using the link above and a valid email address. You have our sincerest gratitude.
For more information on the awards, including our history at them, please read on.
Voting details
Voting for the 2020 Streaming Media Readers’ Choice Awards opened in early September. Voting is done online and is open until October 8th. Once voting is closed, it is assumed that a confirmation email will be sent to confirm each vote, as has been done in the years past. This is why it’s important that a valid email address be utilized when voting.
Winner Announcements
Traditionally, winners are announced at the Streaming Media West trade show that is often held in Los Angeles, California in the month of November.
However, given the COVID-19 pandemic, this year will be handled differently with winners announced online in November instead. Traditionally three finalists are announced, and among those three a winner is revealed.
Nominated categories
This year, IBM has been nominated in a total of five categories. These categories include:
Closed Captioning Solution
An integrated, automated closed captioning solution is available inside the IBM Video Streaming product. This produces AI generated captions through utilizing speech-to-text. It includes robust functionality around training the artificial intelligence as well, to improve accuracy of generated captions.
Cloud Encoding/Transcoding Service
IBM’s enterprise video solutions offer built-in cloud transcoding for live and on-demand content. This enables compatibility across a variety of different devices along with supporting adaptive bitrate streaming, to optimize content for viewers across different connection speeds.
Enterprise Video Platform
IBM has won this award several times in the past. The solution nominated is our IBM Enterprise Video Streaming platform, which secures content using a variety of methods, such as SSO (Single Sign-On) with support for SAML based solutions. The service is also able to track users on an individual level, helping to validate that users watched required material for or to gauge the effectiveness of content.
OTT Video Platform
OTT Video Management from IBM offers intelligent content distribution capabilities for direct and third-party OTT streaming services. This also includes granular access controls to monetize content through subscription and other user based models. In addition, content owners can manage their multiscreen content strategy from a single framework and utilize UX tools to drive a compelling user experience.
Webcasting/Presentation Solution (Cloud)
IBM offers an comprehensive webcasting solution through both IBM Video Streaming and IBM Enterprise Video Streaming. This includes everything from an encoder, video player, embed codes, hosted web pages and more, with flexibility to use other components such as your own RTMP based encoder for live streaming. Virtually real-time cloud encoding, real-time analytics and real-time QoS (Quality of Service) elements are also built-in to provide scale. This is managed from a multi-CDN connection with automated, seamless switching based on virtually real-time viewer feedback. So viewers who experience buffering, for example, are switched between delivery sources to optimize their experience and mitigate potential outages before they happen.
IBM at the Readers’ Choice Awards
IBM has a long history with the Readers’ Choice Awards. One that goes all the way back to 2009, just a couple years after it was launched, when Ustream earned its first nomination.
Below are all the awards IBM was won over the years at the Readers’ Choice Awards, along with instances where IBM services were in the runner up category.
2019
- Closed Captioning Solution
(IBM Watson Captioning – Runner-up) - Webcasting/Presentation Solution (Cloud)
(IBM Video Streaming – Runner-up)
2018
- Closed Captioning Solution
(IBM Watson Captioning) - End-to-End Workflow Solution
(IBM Streaming Manager) - Enterprise Video Platform
(IBM Streaming Manager for Enterprise) - Live Streaming Platform
(IBM Streaming Manager – Runner-up) - Media & Entertainment Video Platform
(IBM Streaming Manager for OTT Video Management)
2017
- Cloud Encoding/Transcoding Services
(IBM Streaming Manager – Runner-up) - End-to-End Workflow Solution
(IBM Streaming Manager) - Live Streaming Platform
(IBM Streaming Manager) - Media & Entertainment Video Platform
(IBM Media & Entertainment – Runner-up) - OTT Platform for MSO and MVPD
(IBM Media & Entertainment) - Small/Medium Business Video Platform
(Ustream Pro Broadcast – Runner-up)
2016
- End-to-End Workflow Solution
(Ustream Pro Broadcasting) - Enterprise Video Platform
(Ustream Align) - Live Streaming Platform
(Ustream) - Media & Entertainment Video Platform
(Ustream Pro Broadcasting) - Small/Medium Business Video Platform
(Ustream Pro Broadcast – Runner-up)
2015
- Enterprise Video Platform
(Ustream Align) - Live Video Platform
(Ustream) - Video Advertising Solution
(Ustream LiveAd)
2014
- Live Video Platform
(Ustream) - Video Advertising Solution
(Ustream LiveAd)
2013
- Live Video Platform
(Ustream)
2012
- Best Streaming Innovation
(Ustream Broadcast for Friends)
2011
- Mobile Video Platform
(Ustream)
2010
- Live Streaming Platform
(Ustream)
2009
- Live Video Streaming Platform
(Ustream – Runner-up)
Readers’ Choice Awards History
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards are run by Streaming Media, who maintains both a magazine and a website. The company has long been a resource for video industry professionals.
The awards have been around for 12 years, first kicking off in 2007. As part of the process, thousands of voters determine the finalists. In fact, in 2018 upwards of 25,000 votes contributed to the winners.