Hybrid Satellite–Cloud Architecture for Large-Scale Live Sports Broadcasting: A Case Study of IPL 2026

Abstract

Live sports streaming has grown rapidly in recent years; however, delivering smooth and high-quality video to millions of concurrent users remains a significant challenge. Traditional satellite broadcasting provides reliable transmission with very low latency but lacks personalization and flexible service delivery. In contrast, Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms offer enhanced user experience, customization, and interactive features, but they often suffer from higher latency, buffering, and network congestion during large-scale live events.
This paper presents a hybrid satellite–cloud architecture for large-scale live sports broadcasting using IPL 2026 as a case study. The proposed framework integrates satellite communication, cloud computing, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), adaptive bitrate streaming, and predictive traffic management to efficiently handle sudden increases in user demand during important match events. The architecture is designed to improve streaming quality, reduce buffering, and support a large number of concurrent viewers.
Simulation-based performance analysis demonstrates that the proposed hybrid architecture reduces latency, improves scalability, and enhances streaming reliability compared with standalone satellite and OTT approaches. The integration of satellite and cloud technologies provides better service continuity, efficient resource utilization, and improved user experience. The proposed approach offers a promising solution for future large-scale live streaming systems where both reliability and personalization are essential.