Dolby Acquires Millicast: Low-Latency Streaming Technology

Dolby Acquires Millicast to Enhance Developer Platform

Dolby Laboratories has announced the acquisition of Millicast, a platform specializing in ultra-low-latency video streaming. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering Dolby’s offerings for developers.

Millicast's Core Technology

Founded in 2018, Millicast provides the capability to deliver broadcast-quality content globally with latency of less than a second. Its technology caters to a diverse clientele, including broadcasters and event organizers.

The platform supports streaming from a web dashboard, the OBS Studio application, and even RTMP-enabled services like Zoom, offering flexibility to content creators.

Pricing and Target Market

Millicast is positioned as an enterprise-level solution. Monthly subscription costs begin at $495, which includes 500 GB of CDN bandwidth.

Dolby's Expanding Developer Ecosystem

While widely recognized for its audio codecs, Dolby has been actively developing a robust developer ecosystem. This initiative allows for the integration of Dolby’s audio and video technologies into third-party products.

In 2020, Dolby launched Dolby.io, initially offering audio APIs. Today, the platform encompasses a comprehensive suite of APIs for building solutions ranging from audio mastering to livestreaming tools.

Strengthening Livestreaming Capabilities

Dolby intends to leverage the Millicast acquisition to enhance its livestreaming portfolio. The integration of Millicast’s low-latency broadcasting capabilities will be central to this effort.

According to a company spokesperson, the acquisition expands opportunities for developers and businesses, integrating Millicast’s technology with the existing features of Dolby.io.

Image Credits: Millicast (screen capture)

Continued Support for Existing Customers

Current Millicast customers will maintain access to the features they currently utilize, now through the Dolby platform. There is already a significant overlap in the customer bases of both companies.

Millicast CEO Alexandrine Platonoff expressed excitement about the acquisition, highlighting the potential to deliver ultra-low latency streaming to a wider global audience. She emphasized the opportunity to create immersive virtual experiences.

Financial Details and Growth

The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. However, Millicast demonstrated substantial growth in recent years, reportedly increasing revenue by over 300% in 2021, as noted by investor Keith Teare.