Magnus Svensson on Modular Broadcast Tech at Streaming Media 2025

At the Streaming Media 2025 conference, Magnus Svensson of Eyevinn Technology outlined the critical need for modular, component-based broadcast architectures, emphasizing how this approach allows media companies to select best-of-breed solutions rather than being locked into monolithic vendor systems. During his discussion with editor Timothy Fore-Siglin, Svensson detailed the industry’s shift toward flexible, AI-driven orchestration and open-source development as key drivers for future innovation.

Svensson began by introducing his Stockholm-based firm, Eyevinn Technology, which operates as an independent streaming media consultancy. The company employs 26 people, most of whom are developers, while others focus on providing strategic technical guidance to media companies globally. Originally concentrating on streaming and content delivery, the company has expanded its focus upward in the value chain, particularly in live production, where Svensson observes significant technological evolution occurring.

When asked how a relatively small firm attracts international clients, Svensson pointed to two core strategies: consistent tech blogging that shares industry insights and a strong commitment to open-source development. He explained that whenever his team conceives a new idea or wants to test a concept, they build and publish an open-source component. This practice not only showcases their expertise but also draws potential clients who discover their work on platforms like GitHub. Additionally, Eyevinn frequently collaborates with broadcasters on joint open-source development projects, sharing costs and development efforts. These partnerships, he noted, are primarily with broadcasters in the Nordic region, Europe, and increasingly in North America.

The conversation then turned to Svensson’s industry commentary series, “Game of Streams,” where he challenges prevailing market trends and shares his vision for the sector’s future. Fore-Siglin asked for specific examples of industry shifts that deserve more attention. Svensson highlighted a noticeable disconnect between what technology vendors are promoting and what broadcasters actually want to purchase. He observed that media companies increasingly seek flexible, component-based systems where they can individually select and integrate specialized tools, building their own orchestration layers. In contrast, many vendors continue pushing all-in-one, proprietary solutions that attempt to address every need within a single product.

Svensson stressed that the emergence of AI is transforming orchestration from a standalone product into customizable code, enabling broadcasters to dynamically manage media workflows without relying on rigid, pre-packaged systems. Fore-Siglin noted that this modular mindset aligns with traditional broadcast engineering, where technicians could easily replace faulty hardware modules, suggesting that vendors have been slow to adopt a similar philosophy for software-based media ecosystems.

Svensson agreed, acknowledging that while many vendors recognize the need to change, legacy business models often hinder progress. He revealed his involvement with several major industry initiatives, including collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), CBC, and other North American partners on an architecture known as Dynamic Media Facilities (DMF). This framework is designed around containerized media functions operating within a component-based structure, all coordinated through shared storage and orchestration systems.

(Source: Streaming Media)