Planetcast acquires BroadStream, launches an enhanced products division

Planetcast has acquired BroadStream Solutions, a provider of integrated playout, captioning, subtitling and broadcast workflow software, in a deal that establishes a dedicated product arm within the media services company. 

BroadStream will form the foundation of Planetcast’s newly created Products Division, bringing with it the OASYS Integrated Playout platform and a wider portfolio covering playout, time delay, captioning, subtitling and accessibility workflows.

Planetcast said the combination pairs those software capabilities with its own media services and distribution infrastructure, aiming to help content owners and broadcasters build and run linear, streaming, and hybrid workflows more efficiently. 

David Bowes, CEO of BroadStream, will lead the new division, taking responsibility for product strategy, development and go-to-market execution. Planetcast said his immediate focus will be on supporting existing BroadStream customers and partners through the transition. 

“BroadStream is a natural fit for Planetcast as we expand our product capabilities alongside our global services business,” said Sanjay Bhatt, CEO of Planetcast. He added that bringing the two businesses together would allow Planetcast to support customers across more of the content lifecycle, connecting capabilities spanning content preparation, playout, localisation, streaming and distribution, while leaving customers room to shape solutions around their own operations and growth plans. 

For BroadStream, the rationale is scale. “BroadStream has always focused on where our customers want to go next and how we can help them get there,” said Bowes, describing the move as one that gives the company a broader portfolio, wider geographic reach and access to new resources.

He added that the intention was to build on existing customer relationships, add capabilities as requirements change, and extend the same approach into new markets. 

The Products Division will draw on Planetcast’s infrastructure, services capabilities and market reach to support product development and widen the availability of BroadStream’s technology internationally.