Reinventing broadcast infrastructure with optical circuit switching

The broadcast industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. As audiences demand instant, high‑resolution content across multiple devices and platforms, traditional SDI‑based workflows can no longer keep pace. The shift toward IP‑based production, virtualized environments, and cloud‑native operations is accelerating—and at the center of this evolution is optical circuit switching (OCS).

The POLATIS® family of all‑optical switches, from HUBER+SUHNER, provides the flexible, scalable, and future‑proof foundation broadcasters need to thrive in this new landscape. 

1. Explosive growth in digital content consumption

Ultra‑high‑speed internet access and always‑on devices have radically shifted expectations. Consumers now want instant access to content on phones, tablets, laptops, and beyond—not just traditional TV screens.

2. Evolving video standards

From SD to HD, 4K, 8K, HDR, and even 32K formats, the growth in resolution is pushing bandwidth requirements to their limits. Traditional SDI over coax simply cannot scale affordably or efficiently.

3. Migration to SMPTE ST 2110 workflows

The shift toward ST 2110 makes media streams look more like IT traffic—packetized, routable, flexible. Fiber has become the new physical layer standard thanks to its performance, reach, and low signal degradation.

1. Outside Broadcasting (OB)

Live events—especially motorsports and large‑venue sports—require redundant fiber backbones and dozens of nodes for routing video, audio, telemetry, and timing data. 

OCS enables:

• Automated routing of diverse fiber paths
• Simplified management of complex infrastructures
• Signal equalization from remote devices using integrated attenuation

This dramatically reduces operational overhead while improving resilience.

2. Corporate Campus Broadcasting

Companies increasingly rely on internal broadcast networks for town halls, training, corporate events, and global communications.

OCS enables:

• Low‑latency, scalable broadcast links across buildings or campuses
• Rapid deployment for on‑demand production
• Support for global, multi‑site broadcast 

3. Virtual Studio Expansion

When studio space in major cities becomes too expensive, OCS makes it practical to extend production to satellite locations.

Benefits include:

• Resource sharing between main and satellite studios
• Seamless operator experience (satellites feel “local”)
• Protection switching for tie‑lines 

4. College Sports Broadcasting

American universities run broadcast operations rivalling major networks, often across sprawling campuses.

OCS supports:

• Centralized production with fiber‑rich campus networks
• ST 2110‑based workflows
• Dynamic routing to multiple venues (stadiums, arenas, pools, training facilities)

The same architecture applies to multi‑sport parks and Olympic venues.