OKAST platform provider for FAST and streaming services uses BCNEXXT Vipe to help deliver higher value and more live content, while operating and evolving fully European channels with efficiency and speed.
OTT platform provider OKAST is launching the next phase of its modern streaming channel operations across Europe and international markets. As European FAST and ad-supported streaming move from rapid growth to competition based on performance, OKAST is aiming to establish a sovereign, cloud-native playout foundation that gives them greater control over how channels are launched, operated and monetised. At the same time, the company wants to support scalable, cross-border distribution and deliver a high quality, differentiated viewing experience.
"At OKAST, everything starts with monetisation," said Cédric Monnier, CEO, OKAST. "FAST, AVOD, SVOD are the business models, while our job is to help content owners generate revenue across these models – and across borders. Everything else is a means to that end. As FAST matured, we needed a playout system that could launch channels quickly, scale efficiently and evolve the channel experience without locking us into rigid infrastructure that limited scale and geographical reach."
OKAST sought a playout approach aligned with the economics of a modern OTT operation, where speed-to-launch, flexibility and operating efficiency directly impact revenue performance. Following an evaluation process, they have chosen to deploy Vipe playout platform, developed by BCNEXXT. Vipe's cloud-native, containerised microservices architecture allows OKAST to scale playout resources in order to meet their exact scheduling demands as they change over time.
In effect, Vipe has transitioned the operation from a fixed infrastructure built for peak volume, to a usage-based model that dynamically maps to the business. “With Vipe, we have an agile playout foundation that supports our monetisation and expansion goals,” Cedric said.
Built for FAST economics
As FAST has accelerated, legacy playout environments with software running on bare-metal servers in a dedicated hosting facility cannot easily support the varying demands. New channels often need to launch quickly, some run only for short periods, and channel portfolios shift frequently across markets and platforms.
By using Vipe, OKAST can set up playout in a way that matches modern channel needs, in particular, rapidly launching channels without procuring the hardware first or undergoing long provisioning cycles. Instead, they have elastic compute that scales up for complex schedules and live events, and scales down for routine branding and loops. There is also support for premium channel experiences, including live workflows, enhanced graphics/overlays, and higher-quality output expectations.
OKAST is a founding member and coordinator of the ASAP4EU consortium, established as a collaboration with Broadpeak, Titan OS and Impresa to develop interactive advertising solutions for FAST and AVOD services in Europe. The ASAP4EU’s members bring experience with OKAST's FAST4EU program, which focused on content diversity, multilingual availability and regulatory compliance. Their success strengthens the consortium's ongoing efforts to improve streaming.
The ASAP4EU aims to tailor a technology and content strategy specifically for the European market, with scope for global scalability. The initiative's objectives also include increasing viewer engagement and extending the reach of advertising. Its primary objective is to establish a content monetisation ecosystem that will enhance the competitiveness and cultural sovereignty of European organisations. AI-driven content discovery, data traceability, personalised channels and interactive advertising will help to continuously optimise revenue.
Global Distribution with European Sovereignty
OKAST is working with European partners to build updated FAST and AVOD services designed for modern advertising, effective monetisation and long-term scalability. A key requirement of this approach is a playout infrastructure that is flexible enough to evolve with new ad formats – such as interactive, addressable and data-driven – while remaining fully aligned with European technology and values.
Specifically, Vipe's cloud-first architecture supports OKAST's expansion beyond France, helping them to distribute across Europe and into the Americas while preserving control over architectural choices and avoiding vendor lock-in. This flexibility is essential as advertising innovation accelerates and FAST channels demand more live content with higher production standards, and more sophisticated operations.
Regarding sovereignty, Cedric said that, in this scenario, considerations for sovereignty focus on the technology used to produce a channel – here, OKAST and BCNEXXT, which are both EU companies. “Then, we have to distribute here, which means accessing certain cloud services or CDNs that are mainly American,” he said.
“However, we can keep 100% independence because we're working with three major cloud providers and six different CDNs. This design gives us the option to abandon any of these at any moment, should coercive behaviour or commercial issues arise. Our point is that channels are 100% designed, built up and monetised with EU systems, within a worldwide footprint. Distribution is by definition versatile and prone to some compromises.”
Speed and Collaboration – A European Partnership
"We chose BCNEXXT for three key reasons," said Cédric. "First, they are a European company, which is fundamental to our strategy and to ASAP4EU's objectives. Second, the richness of the feature set, at a time when channels require more live capabilities, more polish and more sophistication. Third, Vipe is fully cloud-native. We currently operate across AWS and Akamai, and that flexibility is critical to our model."
Today, OKAST runs its services across multiple cloud environments to meet regional and operational requirements, ensuring scalability, resilience and independence, while building a playout foundation capable of adapting to new European advertising formats and streaming innovation.
OKAST also cited the value of working with a partner that can collaborate quickly on real operational needs. "We appreciate partners who truly listen and deliver," Cédric said. "That's something you don't often get with the biggest vendors unless you are a very big customer yourself. With BCNEXXT, we can have direct, pragmatic conversations and move fast." www.bcnexxt.com/approach
