Information Technology
Unified Streaming and castLabs introduce high-frequency key rotation for secure live streaming
Unlike traditional periodic key rotation, which can strain DRM servers and drive up costs, this approach optimizes efficiency without added complexity. In traditional setups, key rotation intervals were much longer - sometimes per session or every few minutes - because more frequent rotations would overwhelm DRM servers with excessive license requests, making it impractical for large-scale events.
The new high-frequency key rotation method minimizes redundant requests by embedding key rotation metadata in the stream, enabling players to anticipate key changes and distribute requests more efficiently.
In the first iteration of the collaborative project, the high-frequency key rotation demo synchronizes key components of a streaming workflow. The video packager, Unified Packager , from Unified Streaming, integrates with DRMtoday , castLabs' license delivery network, and runs seamlessly on PRESTOplay, castLabs' video player technology.
One of the major challenges in implementing frequent key rotation has been the associated costs, as every license key request incurs charges. The Unified Streaming and castLabs partnership confronts the key rotation cost conundrum via the player's unique interaction with the DRM provider.
The demo will be introduced at both companies' booths at NAB Show: W.3458 (Unified Streaming) and W.2369 (castLabs).
Visitors will see a seamless stream with key rotation occurring every 10 seconds, using DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP). The demonstration will highlight which video segments are encrypted with specific keys, and how players request licenses at different intervals - an approach that prevents server overloads and ensures smooth playback at scale.
Live sports streaming is a highly valuable market segment where security and scalability are critical. Implementing high-frequency key rotation safeguards premium live events and helps content owners protect their assets, while maintaining operational efficiency.
" " said Unified Streaming CTO Arjen Wagenaar .
" " said Thasso Griebel, castLabs' technical lead for player development.
Join Unified Streaming and castLabs at NAB Show 2025 to see this pioneering solution in action, and to learn how high-frequency key rotation is setting a new standard for secure, scalable live streaming.
castLabs is a leading pioneer of software and cloud services for digital video markets worldwide to easily enable premium content streaming. Their range of applications and services is designed to help businesses deliver high-quality video experiences through protected content playback over a large selection of devices and platforms. castLabs solutions include DRMtoday multi-DRM and CAS licensing, feature-rich PRESTOplay cross-platform players, Video Toolkit cloud encoding and single-frame watermarking, Widevine device and app certification , secure WebRTC end-to-end delivery, as well as expert technical consulting. Learn more at castlabs.com .
Unified Streaming is a creator of world-class streaming technologies and an authority in defining industry-advancing standards and specifications.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Amsterdam , Unified Streaming leads the new wave of content aggregation, providing tools for dynamic and static packaging, capture, and enhanced playlist technology. By building stable and dependable software, Unified Streaming helps customers solve complex streaming challenges.
Companies deploy Unified solutions not just to unlock creative new ways for personalizing, protecting, and repurposing their content, but also to create great value.
With over 140 broadcasters, telcos, streaming platforms, content creators, and ecosystem partners worldwide, Unified Streaming produces software that is under the hood of the largest and best-known streaming platforms and services.
CONTACT: Burcin Aksay ,
Communications and Events Manager, castLabs
burcin.aksay@castlabs.com
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