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Platform Overview

Technical overview of the StreamLayer platform architecture including the Client SDK, Backend Services, and StreamLayer Studio.

StreamLayer delivers interactive, real-time advertising and engagement experiences for video and second-screen applications. The platform consists of three core components—the StreamLayer SDK, the StreamLayer Backend, and StreamLayer Studio—designed to work together for low-latency, synchronized, and monetizable viewer interactions.

Client SDK

The StreamLayer SDK provides native, high-performance UI functionality for the StreamLayer Element, synchronized ad delivery, and real-time engagement. It integrates directly into your host application and is video player–agnostic, connecting to any player to read metadata and timestamp information for precise synchronization.

StreamLayer offers native SDKs for CTV, mobile, and web, providing optimal animations and performance through platform-specific rendering. React Native and WebView implementations deliver the same interactive and advertising capabilities with strong performance across devices. The SDK can also operate independently of a video player, supporting second-screen configurations where engagement runs parallel to the main video content.

The StreamLayer Element

The SDK renders the StreamLayer Element—the interactive UI surface that hosts all units (ads, stats, polls, predictions, and more). Supported formats include overlay, sidebar, L-bar, picture-in-picture, side-by-side video, and frame ad, as well as notification overlays, video overlays, and side notifications (for mobile, tablet, and CTV).

Adaptive Content Delivery

The SDK dynamically adjusts the content displayed to viewers using real-time data from live event updates and programming schedules.

Metadata-Driven Synchronization

StreamLayer synchronizes interactive and advertising elements with live or on-demand content using programming metadata, live game data, performance statistics, and other real-time information associated with the video presentation. Ad units, promotions, and engagement features remain precisely aligned with the viewing experience across devices and time zones.

Platform Compatibility

The SDK supports iOS, Android, React Native, Web (desktop and mobile), tvOS, and connected TV devices. Developers can implement StreamLayer using native or cross-platform frameworks without altering existing video workflows.

Backend Services

The StreamLayer Backend is the core data and processing layer responsible for content delivery, analytics, and advertising logic.

Key Responsibilities

  • Ad Decisioning and Delivery – Processes metadata, schedules, live game data, and other real-time signals to deliver contextually relevant ad units at precise timecodes.
  • Content and Configuration Sync – Manages synchronization between the SDK and StreamLayer Studio.
  • Real-Time Event Handling – Responds instantly to user interactions and live event triggers.
  • Analytics and Reporting – Collects engagement data and provides insights through APIs.

Integration and Analytics APIs

StreamLayer offers an API suite that connects the platform with third-party systems:

  • Partner APIs – Ingest live stats, sports data, or promotional feeds.
  • Advertising APIs – Integrated with Google Ad Manager and connectable to other SSPs for targeted ad delivery.
  • Analytics APIs – Retrieve performance metrics and audience insights.

Event-Driven Architecture

The platform operates on an event-driven model: any user interaction or live event triggers the appropriate response immediately. Interactive features and ad units update instantly in response to real-time events. Built on a microservices architecture, the backend supports event-driven scalability and fault tolerance, handling millions of active users and up to 10K authentications per second.

  • Error Handling – Comprehensive mechanisms address network delays and unexpected data inputs, ensuring a smooth user experience.
  • Optimized Data Delivery – Minimized latency and optimized data flow ensure that ad units and interactive content are delivered promptly. Content dynamically adjusts to live data and viewer behavior.
  • Fault Tolerance – Built-in resilience ensures uninterrupted experiences even under high load.

Security and Scalability

  • Secure Data Transmission – All communication between your application, the SDK, and the StreamLayer backend is encrypted using industry-standard protocols.
  • Access Control – Token-based authentication and SSO integration allow frictionless user access. Viewers engaging with interactive features do not need to re-authenticate separately.
  • High Availability – The platform scales dynamically with traffic and maintains continuous availability during peak usage.

StreamLayer Studio

StreamLayer Studio is a web-based control interface for administrators, producers, and ad managers.

Core Capabilities

  • Configure and schedule ad campaigns, interactive units, and gamified promotions.
  • Manage templates and layouts for different video player configurations.
  • Trigger real-time updates and A/B tests without redeploying apps.
  • Access analytics dashboards for engagement and monetization metrics.

Next Steps

Updated 21 days ago