Building a resilient network solution for Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is one of the world’s largest multinational media conglomerates and was formed from a merger in 2022.
As part of its operations, the company distributes TV channels globally, a process that depends heavily on reliable network solutions.
The Problem
WBD has television service provider affiliates across Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Ireland that distribute its channels, such as HBO, TNT, and Discovery, as well as local free-to-air channels, to regional consumers.
For WBD’s affiliates, it’s essential that the quality of these channels remains high, with minimal downtime, to ensure a high level of consumer satisfaction. This, in turn, depends on the resilience of WBD’s network solution.
If WBD could keep network reliability high, then this would reflect well on WBD in relation to its affiliates. So, to increase reliability, WBD decided that it was time to migrate its distribution network and began working with Cingularity in 2023.
The Solution
We began by conducting a stringent review of WBD’s requirements, as well as their present distribution system with their affiliate TV service providers. We settled on the Net Insight Trust Boundary as the solution of choice.
Cingularity then extended WBD’s network infrastructure, connecting the affiliate locations with its own core network. Cingularity’s network has nodes across the globe, which meant that WBD could easily leverage it for the distribution of its channel packages to the Nordic countries and Ireland.
The connection process included sending teams to install all necessary equipment at five strategic hubs (across all five countries). Throughout the process, Cingularity emphasised reliability. The network is quadruply resilient and includes four physical paths at each site to minimise overlap and ensure high reliability.
After a rigorous testing period, the solution went live.
The Outcome
The new network is highly reliable, with few downtimes and consistent high-quality delivery of channels.
By including four physical paths at each site, Cingualrity and WBD designed the network to be continuously up, ensuring that it has a nearly constant uptime.
Not only was this well-received by WBD but also by their affiliate channels, who were directly answerable to paid consumers and for whom reliability was essential.
WBD’s requirements were fully met, and the project was completed in a timely manner, solidifying WBD’s market position in northern Europe.
