How Wowza and SVTA Are Investing in the Future of Streaming 

The streaming and broadcasting industry is evolving at a breakneck pace, driven by new technologies and a growing demand for high-quality, seamless video experiences. The recent IBC conference attested to this, with pervasive themes around deployment flexibility, edge computing, and AI-enhanced workflows. What’s more, the industry at large is facing a skills shortage while video demand is surging. More self-taught professionals are entering the workforce, causing enterprises to rely on a dwindling group of aging engineers with entrenched technical knowledge. As streaming becomes more pervasive and mission-critical, this lack of structured training poises a significant barrier to the industry’s growth.

We have seen in our own customer base the surge in demand for video, from viewers who want to consume more video content across more varied devices, to developers looking to capitalize on the rich data embedded in the video content. On average, enterprise applications are producing more than 400% more video data than 2023 levels, with more than 20% growth in the number of streams year over year. More organizations want more cameras in more locations to capture, process, and deliver this rich video data. This makes it clear that, while video itself is indispensable, the skills to bring reliability and scalability to video streaming operations have not been as widely adopted.

To ensure the long-term success of this dynamic field, it’s crucial to invest in the next generation of streaming professionals. Equipping these individuals with formalized skills and knowledge they need to not only keep up with evolving technologies, but to innovate and lead, will enable their future growth and upward mobility.

Filling the Streaming Skills Gap

A 2023 Streaming Media survey noted that 74% of streaming engineers say they are largely self-taught, with 61% of enterprises lacking the skilled staff to deploy advanced video workflows (according to Deloitte). What’s more, LinkedIn reports a more than 30% year-over-year increase in Developer job posting in streaming-related roles. All this points to one key insight: organizations and professionals lack the structured training to keep pace with growing video use cases.

Wowza and the Streaming Video Technology Alliance (SVTA) have partnered together to build and champion the future of the streaming industry, from certification and education programs to value-added technical resources to build upon foundational knowledge. Together, we are committed to providing essential tools and resources that help individuals develop their careers and master critical skills in this space. This collaboration is designed to foster a robust ecosystem of talent that can tap into the latest technological advancements and help propel the industry forward.

Building A Career in Streaming Media & Broadcasting

A cornerstone of this partnership is the development of the Streaming Media Fundamentals certification program. Created as part of SVTA University, this comprehensive course is specifically designed to help individuals launch their careers in broadcasting and streaming media. Whether you’re a student, a career-changer, or a professional looking to formalize your skills, this program offers a clear pathway to building a strong foundation and lasting success in your field.

This 11-part course covers a range of topics, from the building blocks and core concepts behind streaming to more technical information and emerging trends in the space. On the topic of launching this course with SVTA, Wowza CEO Krish Kumar said, “This program addresses what we see across industries every day: video is indispensable, but the skills to make it reliable and scalable simply haven’t existed. Without structured training, organizations are struggling to keep pace. This certification fills that gap.”

The power of this collaboration was recently highlighted when Wowza and SVTA CEOs Krish Kumar and Jason Thibeault, respectively, joined forces on a podcast recorded live from the IBC show floor. The two industry leaders discussed the new partnership and how this initiative is a direct investment in the long-term future and success of the industry, emphasizing the shared vision for empowering new and existing talent.

Developing Advanced Technical Skills with Targeted Resources

Wowza and SVTA are not only building programs for new entrants into the industry; we also are developing resources for more experienced professionals to refine their skills and gain a better understanding of the broader technology landscape. Anyone looking for more advanced or specialized skills in streaming should keep an eye out for targeted materials that dive deeper into specific topics.

For example, for teams looking to implement a monetization strategy, we hosted a webinar on Ad Insertion that covers everything you need to know. This webinar is a great resource for entry-level and experienced professionals alike, with key takeaways summarized in our blog post here: Ad Insertion for Streaming Monetization: SSAI vs. CSAI vs. SGAI.

At Wowza, we believe that a thriving industry is built on a foundation of continuous learning and innovation. Our partnership with the SVTA is a testament to this belief, and we are excited to see how the next generation of streaming professionals will shape the future of video.

To learn more about Wowza, get a demo, or sign up for a trial, visit
https://www.wowza.com/

To sign up for the Streaming Media Fundamentals course in SVTA University, visit
https://university.svta.org/courses/streaming-media-fundamentals/