How one architecture solves streaming’s impossible problems
Everything We’ve Covered
Over this series, we’ve exposed the fundamental flaws in how streaming works today:
- $200,000/hour: The true cost of serving 1 million viewers via CDN
- 306 megatons of CO2: The environmental waste of redundant unicast delivery
- Negative margins: Why FAST channels mathematically cannot profit with unicast
- Inevitable failures: Why major events always crash, regardless of infrastructure
- 8K impossibility: Why next-gen video can never work on today’s architecture
The problems are clear. Now let’s talk about the solution.
Introducing SmartCast
SmartCast is Viewcast’s patented multicast technology that fundamentally changes how video reaches viewers.
The core principle is simple: Instead of sending one stream per viewer, send one stream that reaches all viewers.
| Metric | Traditional CDN | SmartCast |
|---|---|---|
| Streams for 1M viewers | 1,000,000 | 1 |
| Bandwidth required | 8 Tbps | 8 Mbps |
| Cost per hour | $200,000 | $200 |
| Scaling | O(n) – linear | O(1) – constant |
That’s not an optimization. It’s a completely different architecture.
How SmartCast Works
Step 1: Content Ingestion
Your video enters the SmartCast network from any standard source—live encoders, file-based content, or third-party feeds. No special equipment required. Standard RTMP, SRT, or HLS input.
Step 2: Network Distribution
SmartCast distributes content using true IP multicast principles. One stream travels the backbone network. Replication happens at network branch points. ISPs receive a single feed they distribute locally.
Step 3: Viewer Delivery
Viewers receive content through standard methods—HLS/DASH for web and mobile, native apps for Smart TVs, IPTV for set-top boxes. No special software or plugins required.
The magic happens in the network, not on the device.
The Business Impact
For Broadcasters
Problem: CDN costs consuming 70-90% of operating budget
Solution: SmartCast reduces delivery costs by 90%+
Real example: A national broadcaster spending $2M/year on CDN reduced to under $200K—freeing $1.8M for content and growth.
For FAST Channels
Before SmartCast:
Revenue: $35,000/month | CDN costs: $167,000/month | Margin: -$132,000 (LOSS)
After SmartCast:
Revenue: $35,000/month | Delivery: $12,000/month | Margin: +$23,000 (PROFIT)
For Sports & Live Events
Problem: Crashes, buffering, quality drops during peak moments
Solution: Unlimited concurrent viewers without infrastructure strain
Whether 100,000 or 100 million tune in, SmartCast delivers the same reliable experience.
Proven at Scale
SmartCast isn’t theoretical. It’s operational today:
- DanceTV: 24/7 global music television channel serving audiences worldwide with zero buffering
- National Broadcasters: Government and public broadcasters in multiple countries
- Hospitality Partners: Major casino and hotel chains delivering custom entertainment
- Telecom Bundles: ISPs bundling SmartCast-powered channels with broadband packages
The Environmental Advantage
Traditional streaming for 1 million viewers: 5,000-20,000 servers, 1-4 MW power, 400-1,600 kg CO2/hour
SmartCast for 1 million viewers: 10-50 servers, 10-50 kW power, 4-20 kg CO2/hour
97.5% reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions.
SmartCast is by far the greenest streaming technology available.
The Only Long-Term Solution
We’ve spent this series explaining why streaming is broken. Let us be clear about the conclusion:
There is no CDN optimization that solves these problems.
There is no codec that compresses away the bandwidth.
There is no cloud that scales infinitely at zero cost.
The only solution is to stop sending redundant copies of identical content. The only architecture that does this is multicast.
SmartCast is how multicast works on the modern internet.
Start the Conversation
Whether you’re a broadcaster drowning in CDN costs, a FAST operator struggling with unit economics, a sports league worried about next season’s streams, or an enterprise looking for efficient video distribution—we should talk.
About Viewcast
Viewcast is a streaming technology company headquartered in Amsterdam and Ventura, California. Our patented SmartCast technology has been tested by Lockheed Martin, deployed with Comcast, and powers content delivery for broadcasters, platforms, and enterprises worldwide.
Our mission: Make streaming work the way broadcast always has—one signal, unlimited viewers, sustainable economics.
Contact: info@viewcast.tv | viewcast.tv
Streaming. Solved.