Harmonic Enhances XOS Advanced Media Processor to Streamline Next-Generation Broadcast Distribution

Rhea-AI Summary

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) announced enhancements to its XOS Advanced Media Processor on March 18, 2026, adding playout-to-delivery features that reduce broadcast distribution costs and support next‑generation standards like ATSC 3.0 and DTV+.

Key upgrades include Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos audio, advanced codecs (VVC, LCEVC), ROUTE/STLTP gateways, and hybrid satellite/IP delivery with SRT/RIST and Ku‑Band support.

News Market Reaction – HLIT

-2.10%

1 alert

-2.10% News Effect

On the day this news was published, HLIT declined 2.10%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

NAB Show dates: April 19-22, 2026

1 metrics

NAB Show dates April 19-22, 2026 2026 NAB Show demonstration schedule for XOS enhancements

Market Reality Check

Price: $9.38 Vol: Volume 808,192 is 39% bel...

low vol

$9.38 Last Close

Volume Volume 808,192 is 39% below 20-day average 1,319,641, suggesting a light pre-news participation. low

Technical Trading ~2% below 200-day MA at 9.77, indicating a slightly weaker longer-term trend.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed moves: strong gains for TSAT (23.15%) and ADTN (4.76%), while D...

2 Up

Peers show mixed moves: strong gains for TSAT (23.15%) and ADTN (4.76%), while DGII, AAOI and NTGR are down. Momentum scanner flags other names like AAOI and ONDS moving up, but with no common news and no clear, unified sector direction.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 12 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 12	Media server launch	Positive	+0.3%	Introduced Spectrum X Plus server with higher density and lower cost.
Mar 05	NAB product preview	Positive	-2.8%	Announced major streaming and broadcast enhancements for 2026 NAB Show.
Mar 05	Correction notice	Neutral	-2.8%	Clarified earlier NAB Show product and AI enhancement details.
Mar 03	Customer network deal	Positive	-6.7%	Vyve Broadband chose Harmonic’s cOS platform for network modernization.
Feb 25	XOS deployment win	Positive	-1.0%	Alcom selected XOS for IPTV headend with notable bitrate savings.

Pattern Detected

Recent product and customer-win announcements have often coincided with flat-to-negative next-day moves, suggesting a pattern of muted or contrarian reactions to operationally positive news.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, Harmonic has focused on product innovation and customer deployments. Announcements on Feb 25 and Mar 3 highlighted wins for XOS and the cOS broadband platform, while early March updates centered on NAB Show product showcases, including Spectrum X and the XOS processor. Despite generally positive operational tone, shares often moved slightly down after these releases. Today’s XOS enhancement news continues this theme of product-led evolution in broadcast and streaming workflows.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands Harmonic’s XOS Advanced Media Processor to better support ATSC 3.0, Brazil...

Analysis

This announcement expands Harmonic’s XOS Advanced Media Processor to better support ATSC 3.0, Brazil’s DTV+ standard and hybrid satellite/IP distribution, adding features like Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. It builds on a series of recent product and customer updates, reinforcing a focus on next-generation broadcast and streaming workflows. Investors may watch how these capabilities influence customer wins, deployment scale and future financial disclosures as Harmonic advances its broadcast distribution strategy.

Key Terms

atsc 3.0, dolby vision, dolby atmos, lcevc, +2 more

6 terms

atsc 3.0 technical

"continued rollout of ATSC 3.0 in the United States and the adoption of DTV+"

ATSC 3.0 is the latest digital television broadcast standard that delivers higher-resolution video and audio, more reliable reception, and internet-style data services through the same over-the-air signal. For investors, it represents a platform upgrade—like moving from a basic phone to a smartphone for TV—that can create new revenue streams (targeted ads, interactive services, equipment sales) and change competitive dynamics for broadcasters, device makers, and service providers.

dolby vision technical

"supports Dolby Vision® advanced HDR with look management"

Dolby Vision is a premium video format that makes on-screen images look brighter, darker and more colorful by sending frame-by-frame instructions about how to show each scene. For investors, its importance lies in how wide adoption can boost sales and pricing power for makers of TVs, phones and streaming services, influence content licensing and signal which devices or platforms can command a premium in the market.

dolby atmos technical

"includes Dolby Atmos® object-based audio with support for audio description"

Dolby Atmos is a branded audio technology that creates three-dimensional, moving sound by placing audio “objects” around and above the listener instead of just left/right channels. For investors it matters because widespread use of this technology can raise the value of devices, streaming content and venues that support it, drive licensing and hardware sales, and become a competitive feature that helps companies charge higher prices or attract more users—like upgrading from a flat painting to a surround sculpture for sound.

lcevc technical

"supports advanced codecs including VVC, LCEVC and MPEG-H audio"

LCEVC (Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding) is a lightweight video enhancement standard that works as an add-on layer to existing video codecs to improve picture quality and reduce bandwidth without requiring major changes to devices or servers. For investors, LCEVC can lower streaming costs, extend the life of existing hardware, and create licensing or adoption opportunities for companies involved in video delivery, making it a practical efficiency and revenue lever in the media and telecom sectors.

mpeg-h technical

"supports advanced codecs including VVC, LCEVC and MPEG-H audio"

MPEG‑H is a family of international standards for next‑generation audio and video coding used in broadcasting and streaming; it covers efficient video compression (including what is commonly called HEVC) and an advanced, object‑based audio system that lets sound be mixed and personalized for listeners. Investors care because adoption of these standards affects demand for chips, software licenses, content delivery and consumer devices—similar to how a new highway design changes which transport companies and vehicle makers prosper.

srt technical

"IP-based distribution using SRT or RIST together with CDN distribution"

SRT stands for stereotactic radiotherapy, a medical treatment that delivers very focused beams of radiation to a small area, like using a precise spotlight or GPS-guided paintball to hit a single target while sparing the surroundings. For investors, SRT matters because approvals, clinical results, equipment sales, and reimbursement decisions can affect the value of hospitals, device makers, and drug developers tied to cancer and neurological treatments, similar to how demand for a specialty tool drives its manufacturers’ sales.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New Playout-to-Delivery Capabilities Elevate ATSC 3.0 Experiences, Lower DTV+ Investments and Simplify Primary Distribution

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced significant enhancements to its XOS Advanced Media Processor that lower the cost of broadcast distribution while enabling outstanding viewing experiences. The expanded capabilities to the award-winning media processor advance key broadcast industry evolutions, including the migration from C-Band satellite to Ku-Band and IP distribution, the continued rollout of ATSC 3.0 in the United States and the adoption of DTV+ in Brazil.

"Broadcasters around the world are navigating major transformations, from spectrum reallocations to migrations to next-generation television standards like ATSC 3.0 and DTV+," said Stéphane Cloirec, vice president, video appliances and software product management, video business at Harmonic. "With newly enhanced capabilities, our XOS Advanced Media Processor eases these transitions, helping broadcasters modernize operations, deliver richer viewing experiences and reduce infrastructure complexity."

Harmonic's XOS media processor combines advanced playout, premium encoding and broadcast delivery workflows into a single solution for broadcast distribution. The latest enhancements to the XOS media processor enable broadcasters to:

Enhance the ATSC 3.0 Viewer Experience
As ATSC 3.0 deployments continue across the U.S., broadcasters are looking to enhance the viewing experience. Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor supports Dolby Vision^® advanced HDR with look management, enabling broadcasters to optimize HDR content across display types and preserve creative intent on any screen. The XOS media processor also includes Dolby Atmos^® object-based audio with support for audio description and dialog enhancement, improving accessibility and allowing for more immersive viewer experiences. These innovations enable broadcasters to deliver richer NextGen TV applications while leveraging the same software-based playout-to-delivery workflow.

Power Cost-Effective DTV+ Deployment
Harmonic's XOS media processor lowers the cost of DTV+ deployments by integrating playout, encoding and gateway functionality into a single appliance. The solution supports advanced codecs including VVC, LCEVC and MPEG-H audio, enabling broadcasters to deliver low-latency, high-quality video and audio experiences while optimizing bandwidth efficiency. In addition, the XOS media processor integrates ROUTE and STLTP gateway functionality for centralized management of all DTV+ parameters, further reducing deployment costs.

Simplify the Transition to IP Delivery
Harmonic's XOS media processor supports traditional satellite workflows in addition to IP-based distribution using SRT or RIST together with CDN distribution while maintaining exceptional video quality and low latency. The media processor offers hybrid satellite and IP delivery, leveraging emerging standards like satellite Ku-Band downlink and RIST packet recovery over IP to help broadcasters ensure a smooth migration away from legacy satellite infrastructure while maintaining broadcast-grade service reliability for primary distribution.

Harmonic will demonstrate the latest innovations to the XOS Advanced Media Processor at the 2026 NAB Show, April 19-22, in Las Vegas in booth W2831. To schedule a meeting with the company, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/nab/. Further information about Harmonic and the company's solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

About Harmonic
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enables media companies and service providers to deliver ultra-high-quality video streaming and broadcast services to consumers globally. The company revolutionized broadband networking via the industry's first virtualized broadband solution, enabling operators to more flexibly deploy gigabit internet services to consumers' homes and mobile devices. Whether simplifying OTT video delivery via innovative cloud and software platforms, or powering the delivery of gigabit internet services, Harmonic is changing the way media companies and service providers monetize live and on-demand content on every screen. More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com. 

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements concerning Harmonic's business and the anticipated capabilities, advantages, reliability, efficiency, market acceptance, market growth, specifications and benefits of Harmonic products, services and technology are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties more fully described in Harmonic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Harmonic as of the date hereof, and Harmonic disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Harmonic, the Harmonic logo and other Harmonic marks are owned by Harmonic Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Harmonic Inc.

FAQ

What improvements did Harmonic (HLIT) add to the XOS Advanced Media Processor on March 18, 2026?

The XOS update adds Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos audio, and advanced codec support for VVC and LCEVC. According to the company, these features enhance NextGen TV experiences and improve bandwidth efficiency for broadcasters migrating to ATSC 3.0 and DTV+ deployments.

How does the HLIT XOS enhancement reduce costs for DTV+ deployment?

XOS integrates playout, encoding, and gateway functions into one appliance to lower deployment costs. According to the company, consolidation plus ROUTE/STLTP gateway integration reduces hardware and operations complexity for broadcasters implementing DTV+.

Will Harmonic's (HLIT) XOS support hybrid satellite and IP delivery for broadcasters?

Yes — XOS supports hybrid satellite and IP delivery using SRT or RIST plus CDN distribution to maintain low latency. According to the company, the processor also supports Ku‑Band downlink and RIST packet recovery for smoother migration from legacy C‑Band satellite flows.

How do the new XOS features improve ATSC 3.0 viewer experiences for HLIT customers?

The enhancements enable Dolby Vision look management and Dolby Atmos object audio with dialog enhancement and audio description. According to the company, broadcasters can preserve creative intent across devices and deliver more accessible, immersive NextGen TV applications.

When and where will Harmonic (HLIT) demonstrate the XOS Advanced Media Processor?

Harmonic will demonstrate XOS at the 2026 NAB Show, April 19–22, in Las Vegas at booth W2831. According to the company, attendees can schedule meetings via the company's events page for live demonstrations and technical discussions.

Which advanced codecs and audio standards does HLIT's XOS now support for broadcast distribution?

XOS supports VVC and LCEVC video codecs and MPEG‑H audio, plus Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for imaging and audio. According to the company, these standards enable low‑latency, high‑quality delivery while optimizing bandwidth for modern broadcast workflows.