MAM
Synamedia launches new video network solutions to optimize workflows, cut costs and transform video services
MUMBAI: At IBC, Synamedia, the world’s largest independent video software provider, will unveil a torrent of new additions to its video network (formerly video processing) portfolio designed to ratchet up the quality and cost effectiveness of live streaming. New solutions will also help customers make more intelligent use of virtualization and cloud, as well as smooth service providers’ infrastructure transformation journey to IP.
As the industry moves closer to achieving synchonized latency between live broadcast and OTT streams at scale, Synamedia will show a real-world use case with a latency from content ingest to display on the OTT device of just 6 seconds, which is equivalent to broadcast latency. This is made possible by incorporating Common Media Application Format (CMAF) to reduce workflow complexity and enable bandwidth-efficient, highly scalable delivery across the whole technology infrastructure to ABR-aware client devices including a low-latency DASH device. Synamedia will also unveil plans to support Apple’s Low Latency HLS protocol.
Also on display will be a demo of Synamedia’s virtualized Digital Content Manager (DCM) with Smart Rate Control showing how automation using machine learning can optimize quality levels across the entire footprint to deliver a premium live OTT viewing experience cost effectively.
Flexing its R&D credentials, Synamedia will use IBC to preview content-aware encoding, fuelled by AI and machine learning techniques. The demo will show a new content-aware encoding algorithm that incorporates information such as program recurrence, program similarity and genre taken from sources such as program guides and the IMDb database. Using pattern matching techniques, operators will be able to predict the required quality/bitrate per program (or event) to optimize the encoding. Applying machine learning techniques will hone the encoding algorithms to further minimize the number of bits used, while maintaining premium video quality.
Operational workflow efficiencies will also be in the spotlight at IBC, with the launch of the PowerVu Insights module for video operations teams in the distribution segment. It incorporates a set of monitoring, analytics and remote troubleshooting tools for IP-connected receivers to help customers monitor the video distribution chain and drive greater efficiencies.
Synamedia is helping customers boost operations with enhancements to its cloud workflow optimization tools. With a new automation feature for Synamedia Converged Headend, customers can find the right balance between on-premise, public/private cloud and hybrid deployments to optimize OPEX and CAPEX. New for IBC is a partner-enabled range of monitoring dashboards that let customers monitor every part of the processing and delivery chain, helping to control costs and optimizing the end-user experience. Synamedia integrates its solutions with best-in-class third-party products from companies such as Agama and Telestream to offer customers proven ecosystem solutions and services.
Synamedia will also highlight how it can increase uptime by isolating channels using its cloud-native containerized microservices approach. This allows customers to specify how resilience is handled based on each channel/program’s characteristics. For example, for premium content this might require building two synchronized channel container pipelines so that if the original source fails there is no impact on viewers.
Providing more detail on the news outlined in its IBC preview press release from July 2019, Synamedia is also introducing:
· Five compute node variants that come pre-installed with a range of updated applications for its virtualized DCM including Packager and Origin Server. Over 1,000 customers running more than 25,000 DCM appliances now have a smooth migration path to a software-only environment – and a flexible, cost-effective, on-demand consumption model.
· DCM support for Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) with Remote PHY, a building block for cable operators looking to futureproof their networks. Part of Synamedia Converged Headend, DCM offers cable operators a single, converged, virtualized component that lets them seamlessly move video flows from QAM to IP at their own pace. Offering a smooth migration path to virtualized DAA, Synamedia’s Converged Video Core will help customers unlock more bandwidth per subscriber while reducing OPEX.
Julien Signes, senior vice president at Synamedia said, “We understand the challenges pay-TV and D2C providers face as they look to grow their business in a rapidly changing, competitive market, and are continually innovating and fine-tuning our end-to-end video network technologies to give customers that extra competitive edge. Helping customers to boost workflow efficiencies, cut costs and transform their services on prem, in the cloud or in a hybrid model is in our DNA. At IBC we will be showcasing a whole raft of innovations that will help them do just that.”
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
