AWS Elemental MediaTailor
Server-side ad insertion
Inserts personalized ads into video streams on the server side (SSAI) by stitching manifests with ads from an ad server, making them hard for ad blockers to block; also offers channel assembly to combine VOD into linear channels.
- Cost$$ Medium
- Difficulty●●●●●
- Costs money when idle?No
- Serverless
Think of it asLike a TV station inserting different ads for each household while the program stays seamless.
When to use it
✓ Use it when
Monetizing video with personalized ads, or building linear channels from an existing library.
✗ Avoid it when
No need for ads or linear channels → MediaPackage + CloudFront is enough.
Common uses
- Personalized ads in live sports
- FAST channels from a film library
- Server-side ad impression measurement
What does it cost?
- Pricing model: Billed per ad inserted; channel assembly is billed by channel running hours.
