Stabilized large-scale video delivery across devices
Liberty Global operates large-scale video services across multiple European markets, with playback running across a wide range of devices, operating systems, browsers, and connected TV environments. Our work focused on upgrading the Shaka Player version by multiple major releases while ensuring the new implementation remained stable across the full device matrix.
“Sophiestream has been an exceptional contractor on our team, tackling some of the most complex video playback and video app issues we've faced. Their technical depth and methodical approach to debugging consistently turn stubborn, hard-to-reproduce problems into clean, reliable fixes. I'd recommend them without hesitation to anyone needing serious expertise in this space.”
Ronald Auwens
Director Video UI & Applications
The challenge
The existing Shaka Player implementation needed to be upgraded across multiple major versions without introducing playback regressions. Because the platform served a broad device ecosystem, the upgrade had to be validated across browsers, connected TVs, and operator device contexts — with key risks around HLS and DASH compatibility changes, DRM and license flow differences, device-specific regressions, buffering and adaptation behaviour shifts, and compatibility on older or constrained devices.
Our approach
- Reviewed breaking changes between Shaka Player major versions and updated integration logic to work with the newer APIs.
- Validated HLS and DASH playback behaviour across the supported device matrix.
- Tested DRM flows and license acquisition behaviour across environments.
- Investigated and fixed platform-specific playback regressions caused by player behaviour changes.
- Supported compatibility across CTV, browser, and operator environments, working through device-specific constraints where standard browser assumptions did not apply.
Outcomes
- Upgraded Shaka Player across multiple major versions, modernizing the playback foundation.
- Maintained HLS and DASH playback compatibility across the supported device ecosystem.
- Preserved DRM playback behaviour across supported environments.
- Improved confidence in cross-device playback stability and reduced long-term maintenance risk from older player dependencies.
- Strengthened the platform foundation for future playback improvements.
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