Case Study: Rakuten ShowTime reduces storage costs and streamlines video delivery with Microsoft Azure Media Services and Azure Storage

Streaming service partners with Microsoft to build a powerful distribution platform

Rakuten ShowTime, Japan's largest video-streaming service, faced mounting storage costs and distribution complexity as it tried to deliver content to a growing number of device types. Its on-premises system required storing a separate, large file for every possible format, bitrate, and digital rights management (DRM) method, creating a massive management burden and limiting scalability. The company partnered with Microsoft to build a new, more efficient video distribution platform.

Microsoft implemented a solution using Azure Media Services and Azure Storage. This allowed Rakuten ShowTime to store a single video file, which Azure then automatically transcodes and encrypts on-demand for any device or DRM method. The results were dramatic: storage costs were reduced to 25% of previous levels and management costs were cut by an estimated 60%. Microsoft provided a scalable platform that improved operational efficiency and ensured a high-quality viewing experience for subscribers.

Rakuten ShowTime

Osamu Hamada

Operating Manager, Systems Division