Agora’s tech boosts mobile viewing, adding interactive features to engage viewers in sports streams: Ranga Jagannath

Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Agora is specialized in Real-Time Engagement Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Agora empowers developers with simple, flexible, and powerful APIs, allowing them to embed real-time voice, video, interactive live-streaming, chat, whiteboard, and artificial intelligence capabilities into their applications. 

Recently, Agora introduced its Adaptive Video Optimization (AVO) technology, alongside support for the AV1 video codec, marking a significant stride in addressing prevalent issues in video streaming. 

Ranga Jagannath, Senior Director-Growth at Agora, sheds light on this groundbreaking product and its impact on video streaming challenges. 

He emphasizes that while video technology has existed for some time, Agora’s distinction lies in its ability to provide live and interactive experiences. AVO technology tackles common streaming issues such as freezing and buffering by optimizing image quality, ensuring smooth video playback, and minimizing latency for real-time interaction. By dynamically adjusting to network conditions, AVO delivers the highest quality and lowest latency possible, setting Agora apart in the industry. 

Agora’s commitment to innovation extends beyond technology to its strategic focus on interactive live streaming for sports events like the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Jagannath explains that sports naturally lend themselves to interactivity, whether it’s cheering for a team in a stadium, watching with friends and family on television, or engaging in real-time discussions on mobile streaming platforms. 

“Agora’s “Watch Party” feature enables multiple viewers to watch content simultaneously while engaging in conversation, fostering community engagement even during the off-season. This interactive experience opens avenues for brands and franchises to engage with fans through microtransactions, leveraging India’s vast online audience for mutual benefit. 

“During a particular sports season, you have a captivating audience who are rooting for the team. But what can be done during off- season, that’s where platforms which allows interactivity amongst the fans pave exciting opportunities to brands and for franchises, which brings the fans together even during the off-season. Generally, for these kinds of conversations there is always an element of commerce that can be built on top of these, when people are involved in conversations while watching the match nothing stops a brand or platform to engage with these consumers with micro transactions. It might not be a large ticket transaction, there are 720 million internet users in the country and a large majority of them watch sports what if a tiny fraction of them engage in micro transactions may be of Rs 5-10, these micro transactions can accumulate into a large amount of money and value for all stake holders, Jagannath said. 

In terms of enhancing the fan experience, Agora complements traditional streaming platforms rather than competing with them. 

“While television remains a primary medium for content consumption, Agora’s technology enhances the second screen experience, particularly on mobile devices. By enabling interactivity and social engagement, Agora observes a significant increase in user engagement during sports events, enriching the overall viewing experience. Looking ahead, real-time engagement is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of sports broadcasting, especially in markets like India with a large and diverse fan base. Agora’s technology facilitates seamless interactions among fans, fostering a sense of community and connectivity beyond geographical boundaries,” he added.

In terms of user privacy and security, Agora prioritizes compliance with industry standards and regulations.

“With certifications such as ISO and AES encryption, along with geo-fencing capabilities, Agora ensures the protection of user data and content rights. Partnerships with industry leaders like EZDRM further strengthen Agora’s commitment to secure, interactive experiences while safeguarding user privacy,” Jagannath added. 

Beyond sports, Agora’s technology finds applications across various industries, including education, social media, gaming, and entertainment. From interactive classrooms to immersive gaming experiences and engaging social platforms, Agora’s real-time engagement solutions redefine user interaction across diverse domains.