SAN JOSE, Calif., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced industry-first innovations to its comprehensive playout-to-delivery solution, empowering broadcasters and content owners with streamlined media workflows, optimized control and significant cost savings. Harmonic's playout-to-delivery solution combines advanced playout and branding with premium encoding, streaming and broadcast delivery. The solution now features innovative loop record, delay line and enhanced hybrid clou ...

Core Insights - Harmonic Inc. has introduced new AI capabilities in its VOS360 Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, aiming to transform video streaming and broadcasting by simplifying media delivery and enhancing audience engagement [1][4] Group 1: Product Enhancements - The upgraded VOS360 suite features AI-powered capabilities that allow for automatic detection of ad breaks and insertion of SCTE-35 markers into live content, facilitating seamless monetization of both high- and low-action moments during live events [2] - Additional features include automated subtitles through speech-to-text AI, enabling broader audience reach, and AI-driven sports clipping tools for real-time highlight creation [3] - The solution also offers automated translation with voice cloning or overdubbing in any language, enhancing the viewing experience for global audiences [3] Group 2: Market Position and Financial Outlook - Harmonic is recognized as a leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enabling media companies to provide ultra-high-quality video streaming globally [4] - The collaboration with Akamai Technologies enhances the agility, resiliency, security, and scalability of media workflows, potentially leading to increased demand for Harmonic's solutions and improved financial performance [4][5] - Despite these advancements, Harmonic's stock has declined by 25% over the past year, contrasting with the industry's growth of 37.8% [7]

Core Insights - Harmonic has enhanced its VOS®360 SaaS solutions with new AI advancements aimed at improving viewer engagement and monetization [1][2] - The VOS360 solutions are part of the Akamai Qualified Compute Partner Program, utilizing Akamai's infrastructure for cost efficiency and scalability [1][5] - The latest AI features include automated ad break detection, speech-to-text subtitles, real-time sports clipping, and automated translation, enhancing the overall viewing experience [8] Group 1: AI Innovations - AI is recognized as a transformative force in the video industry, essential for streaming providers and broadcasters to remain competitive [3] - The AI enhancements in VOS360 solutions are designed to be user-friendly, cost-efficient, and fully integrated within a single solution [3][8] Group 2: Cloud Capabilities - Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS and VOS360 Ad SaaS are qualified on Akamai Connected Cloud, offering efficient cloud nPVR capabilities for large-scale archival content [4] - The collaboration with Akamai provides a cloud-based primary distribution solution that enhances scalability, resiliency, and efficiency for broadcasters [5] Group 3: Upcoming Demonstrations - Harmonic will showcase the advancements in VOS360 solutions at the 2025 NAB Show, scheduled for April 6-9 [6]

Core Insights - Harmonic has announced significant enhancements to its XOS Advanced Media Processor, focusing on AI-powered applications to improve efficiency and reduce costs in video streaming and broadcast delivery [1][2][3] Group 1: AI Innovations - The new XOS media processor features automated closed captioning, leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, improve accessibility, and significantly lower operational costs by eliminating manual processing [3] Group 2: Streamlined Distribution - A new XOS appliance has been introduced to broaden support for distribution applications, reducing costs for primary distribution in small-channel-count scenarios, while ensuring flexibility for both satellite and IP-based delivery [4] Group 3: Support for DTV+ - The XOS media processor now supports Brazil's DTV+ system, integrating advanced video and audio codecs to future-proof terrestrial digital TV delivery, allowing broadcasters to efficiently deliver high-quality video across various networks [5] Group 4: Company Overview - Harmonic is recognized as a leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enabling media companies to deliver ultra-high-quality video streaming and broadcast services globally [7]

Core Insights - Harmonic Inc. has introduced significant advancements in video streaming technology, particularly through new origin capabilities that enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs for service providers and broadcasters [1][6]. Product Innovations - The new features are part of the Video Origin Software (VOS) family and the XOS Advanced Media Processor, aimed at optimizing video processing and delivery [1][2]. - Harmonic's VOS family includes various software and SaaS solutions designed to streamline video production and delivery workflows over cloud infrastructure [2][3]. - The hybrid origin solution combines cloud and on-premises storage, allowing for efficient management of video assets by storing less frequently accessed content in the cloud while keeping fresh content on-premises [4][5]. Operational Efficiency - The VOS360 cloud media processing SaaS simplifies media delivery for premium video streaming, while the built-in user interface allows for seamless playlist monitoring and automated channel delivery [3][5]. - The integration of live and time-shift origin capabilities into the XOS Advanced Media Processor enables broadcasters to stream live content directly to content delivery networks, reducing operational complexity and hardware costs [6]. Financial Outlook - The recent upgrades are expected to generate incremental demand for Harmonic's solutions, potentially leading to higher revenues and improved financial performance, which may positively impact the stock [7]. - Despite these advancements, Harmonic's stock has seen a decline of 16.1% over the past year, contrasting with the industry's growth of 34.9% [8].

Core Insights - Harmonic has launched new origin capabilities for video streaming, enhancing efficiency and flexibility for service providers and broadcasters while reducing costs [1][5] - The new solution integrates cloud and on-premises storage, optimizing content management and storage costs [2][3] Group 1: New Origin Capabilities - The hybrid origin solution combines cloud and on-premises storage, utilizing VOS360 Media SaaS for less frequently accessed content and on-premises storage for fresh video assets [2] - Older content is automatically transitioned to cloud storage, improving overall efficiency [2] Group 2: Scalability and Configuration - The cloud-native solution features an intuitive user interface, allowing service providers to scale storage based on demand, balancing fixed workloads with cloud scalability [3] - This strategy enhances flexibility and reduces cloud storage costs [3] Group 3: Streamlined Broadcasting - Harmonic introduces live and time-shift origin capabilities within the XOS Advanced Media Processor, allowing broadcasters to stream live content directly to CDNs with a single appliance [4] - This integration minimizes operational complexity and reduces hardware costs, making it a cost-effective solution for live and time-shift content [4] Group 4: Market Positioning - The company emphasizes its role in redefining streaming solutions by combining playout, compression, origin, and delivery functionalities [5] - Harmonic aims to enable customers to deploy streaming services efficiently and profitably, which is crucial in a competitive market [5] Group 5: Company Overview - Harmonic is a leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, facilitating ultra-high-quality video streaming and broadcast services globally [6] - The company has revolutionized broadband networking with its first virtualized broadband solution, enhancing the deployment of gigabit internet services [6]

Core Insights - Harmonic's VOS Media Software is being utilized by Weigel Broadcasting to simplify video distribution and reduce costs, showcasing a shift towards cloud-native solutions in the broadcasting industry [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Harmonic is a leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enabling media companies to deliver high-quality video streaming and broadcast services globally [4] - Weigel Broadcasting is a family-owned media company based in Chicago, operating national television networks and local broadcast stations, including the popular MeTV network [7] Group 2: Technology and Innovation - The VOS Media Software provides an end-to-end workflow for various broadcasting functions, including ingest, centralcasting, advanced playout, encoding, and distribution, all through a fully software-based system [2][3] - The software allows Weigel to scale operations easily by increasing compute power rather than relying on traditional hardware setups, enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility for future expansion [2][3] Group 3: Market Impact - By adopting Harmonic's VOS Media Software, Weigel Broadcasting positions itself as an innovator in the industry, leveraging advanced capabilities such as ATSC support, OTT, and AI integration to streamline operations and future-proof video delivery [3]

Core Viewpoint - Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) has partnered with Astound Broadband to implement its cOS virtualized broadband platform, aiming to enhance network efficiency and scalability while paving the way for fiber deployment [1][2]. Group 1: Harmonic's cOS Platform Benefits - The cOS broadband platform is a cloud-native solution that supports both current DOCSIS technology and future passive optical network deployments, enabling gigabit symmetrical speeds over existing infrastructure [2][3]. - The platform will be integrated within a distributed access architecture, utilizing Harmonic's Pebble Remote Physical Layer Device to boost operational efficiency and provide advanced analytics for real-time network monitoring [3]. Group 2: Market Position and Client Base - Harmonic's cOS platform currently supports over 33 million homes globally, indicating a strong market presence and commitment to innovation [4]. - The company operates in more than 50 countries, which is expected to drive revenue growth in upcoming quarters due to an increasing customer base [5]. Group 3: Stock Performance - Harmonic's stock has decreased by 18.9% over the past year, contrasting with the industry's growth of 23.4% [6]. - The company has delivered an earnings surprise of 158.41% over the trailing four quarters, showcasing its potential for financial improvement [9].

Core Insights - Harmonic's cOS virtualized broadband platform has been selected by Astound Broadband to enhance its broadband infrastructure, aiming for improved speed and reliability [1][3] - The partnership is expected to provide Astound Broadband with a scalable and efficient network, facilitating a transition to fiber technology in the future [1][5] Company Overview - Harmonic is a leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enabling service providers to deliver high-quality video streaming and gigabit internet services globally [6] - Astound Broadband is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., serving over one million subscribers with high-speed internet and various communication solutions [9] Technological Advancements - The deployment of Harmonic's cOS platform will utilize a distributed access architecture (DAA) and the Pebble Remote PHY Device, allowing for faster service rollout and reduced hardware needs [3] - Harmonic's cOS Central will provide advanced analytics and automation, ensuring real-time visibility and proactive issue resolution for consistent broadband service [4] Market Impact - Harmonic's cOS platform currently powers next-gen broadband services to over 33 million homes worldwide, indicating its significant market presence and influence [5]

Core Viewpoint - Pomerantz LLP is investigating potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices by Harmonic Inc and its officers or directors, following disappointing financial results and guidance that fell short of analyst expectations [1][2]. Financial Performance - Harmonic reported its fourth quarter and fiscal year results for 2025, forecasting earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 2025 in the range of $0.02 to $0.08, with revenue expected between $120 million to $135 million, significantly below analyst projections of $0.12 EPS and $149.39 million in revenue [2]. - For the full year 2025, Harmonic provided guidance of EPS between $0.43 to $0.68 and revenue of $585 million to $645 million, missing consensus estimates of $0.87 EPS and $720.73 million in revenue [2]. Stock Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the financial results and guidance, Harmonic's stock price dropped by $1.70 per share, or 15.29%, closing at $9.42 per share on February 11, 2025 [3].