BroadStream Solutions
BroadStream Solutions is a privately held broadcast technology company that develops integrated software for TV playout automation, live and file-based captioning, and subtitling, serving commercial and public broadcasters, content distributors, and video producers across six continents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersDuluth, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What BroadStream Solutions does
BroadStream Solutions is a privately held broadcast technology company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia. The company develops integrated software platforms for TV broadcast playout automation, live and file-based captioning, subtitling, and compliance monitoring, serving commercial and public TV broadcasters, content distributors, and a smaller base of corporate, nonprofit, and academic video producers. Its core technology architecture centers on OASYS Integrated Playout — a software platform that consolidates file preparation, captioning, graphics, scheduling, playout, recording, and switching into a unified system running on commodity IT hardware, with separate variants for IP (OASYS IP) and small stations (Channel in a Box). The portfolio is rounded out by VoCaption and SubCaptioner for ASR-based captioning, the WinCaps family (Q4 Standard, Q-Live, Pro, WinCapsASR, Q-LiveASR) for professional subtitle authoring, Polistream for subtitle encoding/transmission, MSX for monitoring, MediaMate for file-based encoding, ARMADA for fixed time delay, and Plasma for teletext production.
The company generates revenue through a combination of perpetual and subscription software licenses, hardware appliances (ARMADA, Polistream U8100), usage-based cloud transcription at $0.25 per minute via SubCaptioner, and professional services for implementation and training. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise sales with field representatives in the US, UK, Croatia, and India, supplemented by a global reseller partner network, an e-commerce storefront for smaller buyers, and event-driven engagement at industry trade shows such as NAB. The company serves more than 100 broadcasters across six continents, with multi-decade relationships including Globecast UK (11+ years) and Encompass Argentina (12+ years), alongside enterprise customers such as BBC, WRAL, Comcast, Discovery, Turner, PCCW/NOW-TV, and US public broadcasters KUAC-TV and WVIA-TV. In 2017 BroadStream acquired Screen Subtitling Systems, bringing the Polistream brand and Screen's pioneering 1976 electronic subtitling heritage into the portfolio. Founder and Chairman Herbert Brenninkmeijer passed away in April 2020; the company remains privately held without disclosed institutional investors.
BroadStream Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BroadStream Solutions
- Legal name
- BroadStream Solutions, Inc.
- Website
- https://broadstream.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- BroadStream Solutions is a privately held broadcast technology company that develops integrated software for TV playout automation, live and file-based captioning, and subtitling, serving commercial and public broadcasters, content distributors, and video producers across six continents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BroadStream Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Broadcast Playout and Captioning Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Control Room Orchestration & Workflow Integration (NRCS/MOS, Automation APIs) (MPAHAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Analytics, QoE/QoS Monitoring & Observability (MPAHAJAH)
Keywords
Where BroadStream Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Duluth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
BroadStream Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Perpetual and subscription licensing models for OASYS, WinCaps, VoCaption, Polistream and other software products. Enterprise customers receive maintenance contracts with ongoing software updates and support.
- Professional Services: Implementation, installation, commissioning, and training services for broadcasters deploying playout solutions. Includes project management and on-site engineering support.
- Cloud Transcription Services (SubCaptioner): Pay-per-use cloud service for automated transcription and captioning. Users upload files and pay per minute of audio processed.
- Hardware Appliances: Pre-configured hardware servers including ARMADA for fixed time delay applications and Polistream U8100 for subtitle encoding, sold as complete appliances with software.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | SubCaptioner automated transcription at $0.25 per minute |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | VoCaption live captioning with usage-based pricing |
| Subscription | Annual | OASYS modular software licensing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | WinCaps Q4 Standard perpetual license |
| Subscription | Annual | Academic institution volume discounts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
BroadStream Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BroadStream Solutions develops and sells integrated broadcast playout automation software (OASYS) that consolidates file preparation, captioning, subtitling, graphics, media management, scheduling, playout, recording and switching into a single software platform running on commodity IT hardware. The company complements OASYS with a portfolio of captioning and subtitling products including ASR-powered live captioning (VoCaption, Q-LiveASR), file-based transcription (SubCaptioner, WinCapsASR), professional subtitle creation (WinCaps Q4 Standard, Q-Live, Pro), subtitle encoding and transmission (Polistream, MediaMate), and subtitle monitoring/QA (MSX). These products are sold to commercial and public TV broadcasters requiring reliable master control replacement, accessibility compliance, multi-channel operations and IP/SDI playout workflows.
Product overview
BroadStream Solutions provides integrated playout, captioning, and subtitling software solutions built on a modular platform-plus-modules architecture. The core product is OASYS Integrated Playout - professional playout automation software that combines file preparation, captioning/subtitling, graphics, media management, scheduling, playout, recording, and switching into one unified platform. OASYS is available as standard Integrated Playout, OASYS IP (full compressed IP version), or Channel in a Box (for small stations). Supporting products include ARMADA for fixed time delay, VoCaption and SubCaptioner for automated live and file-based captioning using ASR technology, and WinCaps family (Q4 Standard, Q-Live, Pro, WinCapsASR, Q-LiveASR) for professional caption/subtitle creation. Polistream provides subtitle encoding and transmission, while MSX offers subtitle monitoring, data logging, and review. MediaMate handles file-based subtitle encoding, extraction, and conversion. Plasma Teletext System creates and manages teletext services. The portfolio is rounded out with numerous OASYS optional modules for specialized functions including redundancy management, graphics extensions, broadcast router control, EAS integration, audio processing (Dolby), and third-party integrations with traffic/MAM systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OASYS: Integrated playout automation software for broadcasters, combining file preparation, captioning, graphics, scheduling, playout, recording, and switching.
- ARMADA
- VoCaption
- SubCaptioner
- WinCaps
- Polistream
- MSX
- Plasma
- MediaMate
Products and services
- OASYS Integrated Playout Professional playout automation software that combines file preparation, captioning/subtitling, graphics, media management, scheduling, playout, recording and switching into one integrated software platform; scales from a few channels to 50+ channels. Targets commercial and public TV broadcasters replacing aging master control infrastructure.
- OASYS IP Full end-to-end compressed IP version of OASYS Integrated Playout with the same look and feel as the original platform, enabling a smooth transition from SDI to IP workflows; a hybrid SDI/IP version is also available.
- OASYS Channel in a Box Channel-in-a-Box version of OASYS designed for small stations that need one or two channels, providing integrated playout automation in a compact configuration.
- ARMADA Time Delay Fixed time delay solution for unattended set-it-and-forget-it broadcast delay operations; supports automatic time shifting or delay of live programming for up to 10 days, with SDI, SDI/IP and IP inputs and SD-SDI/HD-SDI outputs.
- VoCaption Automated live closed captioning software using ASR technology to deliver real-time captions with ultra-low latency. Available as a 1RU rackmount unit, software-only deployment or cloud-hosted; supports over 50 languages with custom dictionaries.
- SubCaptioner Automated online transcription service using ASR technology to convert speech-to-text for pre-recorded media files; delivers closed caption and transcription files in minutes at $0.25 per minute of audio with a 40-minute free trial for new sign-ups.
- Polistream Subtitle encoding and transmission system providing multi-channel, multi-language, multi-format subtitle playout; supports DVB, teletext/OP47, EIA608/708, SDI open-captions and WebVTT for OTT. Hosted on a U8100 1RU Windows server or as VM software.
- WinCaps Family of professional caption and subtitle creation software products offering flexible editing and creation capabilities for broadcasters and professional subtitlers.
- WinCaps Q4 Standard Professional subtitling software with comprehensive range of workflows, media types and file formats including PAC, STL, 890, SRT, WebVTT, Timed Text XML and EBU-TT. Sold as a one-time perpetual license via online checkout.
- WinCaps Q-Live Live subtitling software supporting real-time text input via Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition, Stenograph, Velotype or keyboard; blends live and offline techniques for fast-turnaround programs and integrates with newsroom systems (iNews, ENPS).
- WinCaps Pro Professional subtitling software with an automatic text-to-speech aligner that timecodes subtitles by phonetic alignment with spoken audio in Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish; integrates with Dragon NaturallySpeaking for MP3/WAV transcription.
- WinCapsASR On-premise or private cloud file-based captioning solution combining ASR technology with human editing for productivity improvements of 25-30%; works in background, supports 50+ languages and now includes automatic translation.
- Q-LiveASR Hybrid live captioning software combining ASR technology with human intervention; users control whether ASR is the active input, buffered for quick corrections, or overridden by manual/apology captioning; 2 servers per channel for redundancy and supports automatic translation.
- MSX Subtitle Monitoring System Subtitle monitoring, reviewing and error logging system that allows broadcasters to check, monitor, log and review multi-channel, multi-language subtitle content; includes the MSX Monitoring System, MSX Data Logging and MSX Review modules.
- MediaMate File-based subtitle encoding, extraction, manipulation and conversion software that encodes teletext/OP47 and EIA608/708 closed captions into MXF, MPEG-2 and DVB Transport Stream files; offers audio description and spoken subtitles via TTS, with plug-in option for Dalet Amberfin and a REST-style web interface for partner applications.
- Plasma Teletext System Teletext production and management system for creating 24/7 teletext services; supports over 30 languages including Arabic, Hebrew and Cyrillic with multi-channel and multi-regional service capabilities; includes transmission system and data feed handler modules.
Quantifiable outcome
- Eliminates need for multiple separate maintenance contracts, support numbers, and purpose-built hardware devices
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BroadStream Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BroadStream Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration25 records
AI capability19 records
Feature5 records
BroadStream Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Screen Subtitling SystemscoreBroadStream acquired Screen Subtitling Systems, bringing together 60+ years of combined experience. Screen developed the first electronic subtitling system in 1976. The Polistream brand remains independent within BroadStream's portfolio, maintaining its leadership position in subtitle transmission systems.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BroadStream Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Imagine Communications: Direct competitor in broadcast playout automation and master control, offering the Versio platform and ADC playout automation. Competes head-to-head with BroadStream's OASYS for broadcaster master control replacement deals.
- Grass Valley: Direct peer in broadcast playout and content delivery, offering the AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform) and iTX playout automation. Competes with OASYS for integrated channel playout, graphics, and master control workflows.
- ENCO Systems: Direct competitor in broadcast captioning and playout automation, offering DAD (Digital Audio Delivery), CaptionStation, and enCaption automated captioning. Closest direct competitor to BroadStream's VoCaption/WinCaps and OASYS portfolios.
- EEG Enterprises: Direct peer in closed captioning and subtitling technology for broadcast, offering iCap and HD478 caption encoding solutions. Competes with Polistream and VoCaption in live caption transmission workflows.
Broad incumbents
- Evertz Microsystems: Broad incumbent in broadcast infrastructure with playout automation, routing, and IP transition solutions. Overlaps with BroadStream in playout and master control but operates across a much broader broadcast technology portfolio.
- Ross Video: Broad incumbent in live broadcast production and playout with the OverDrive automated production control system and DashBoard control. Adjacent competitor to OASYS in broadcast control room and channel-in-a-box workflows.
- Harmonic: Broad incumbent in video infrastructure and playout, with VOS Cloud-Native Playout and Electra encoding. Overlaps with OASYS in IP playout and competes in next-generation cloud-based broadcast workflows.
- Vizrt Group: Broad incumbent in broadcast graphics, playout (Viz Opus), and newsroom workflows (Viz Mosart). Competes with OASYS Graphics Extension and integrated playout offerings for broadcaster customers.
Emerging players
- Syncwords: Emerging player in AI-powered live captioning, subtitling, and translation for broadcast and OTT. Competes with SubCaptioner and VoCaption in ASR-based live and file-based captioning services.
- 3Play Media: Emerging player in captioning, transcription, and audio description services combining ASR with human review. Competes with SubCaptioner for file-based captioning workflows for video content producers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BroadStream Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceBroadStream Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BroadStream Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
BroadStream Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BroadStream Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BroadStream Solutions
What does BroadStream Solutions do?
BroadStream Solutions develops and sells integrated broadcast playout automation software (OASYS) that consolidates file preparation, captioning, subtitling, graphics, media management, scheduling, playout, recording and switching into a single software platform running on commodity IT hardware. The company complements OASYS with a portfolio of captioning and subtitling products including ASR-powered live captioning (VoCaption, Q-LiveASR), file-based transcription (SubCaptioner, WinCapsASR), professional subtitle creation (WinCaps Q4 Standard, Q-Live, Pro), subtitle encoding and transmission (Polistream, MediaMate), and subtitle monitoring/QA (MSX). These products are sold to commercial and public TV broadcasters requiring reliable master control replacement, accessibility compliance, multi-channel operations and IP/SDI playout workflows.
Is BroadStream Solutions a public or private company?
BroadStream Solutions is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was BroadStream Solutions founded?
BroadStream Solutions was founded in 1992. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is BroadStream Solutions based?
BroadStream Solutions is headquartered in Duluth, United States, in the North America region.
How does BroadStream Solutions make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are professional Services, cloud Transcription Services (SubCaptioner) and hardware Appliances.
Who are BroadStream Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Imagine Communications, Grass Valley, ENCO Systems and EEG Enterprises. Broad incumbents are Evertz Microsystems, Ross Video, Harmonic and Vizrt Group. Emerging players are Syncwords and 3Play Media.
Does BroadStream Solutions have an API?
Yes. MediaMate includes a web interface allowing a partner application to control and configure the system using standard HTTP POST and GET methods in a REST style, including commands to control running and configuration of workflow models and to report on their status and progress. Also supports command line interface control.
What industry is BroadStream Solutions in?
BroadStream Solutions's product category is Broadcast Playout and Captioning Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAKAK, Control Room Orchestration & Workflow Integration (NRCS/MOS, Automation APIs), with a secondary code of MPAHAJAH, Analytics, QoE/QoS Monitoring & Observability. Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7372.