HBO Max Preview Tool

For HBO we started development on an internal tool that allowed internal users to efficiently preview scheduled content for HBO max. This tool needed to aggregate data from various backend services and provide a user-friendly interface to manage and (accurately) preview the scheduled content across different regions and times.

Challenges

Before starting development we had the somewhat unique challenge of having to first learn the jargon associated with thousands of internal packages and a platitude of existing services. This in combination with the time zone difference and various teams spread throughout the world made it difficult at times to move fast.

• Identifying and integrating relevant existing services within the company, which was a time-consuming process.

• Overcoming the time zone differences between Europe, the West Coast, and the East Coast, necessitating effective asynchronous communication.

• Developing a user-friendly frontend application from scratch.

• Ensuring the tool could handle high data volumes and provide real-time updates.

Solution

We developed an advanced internal tool that aggregated data from various backend services, with the ultimate goal of providing a comprehensive preview tool for HBO's scheduled content. This tool was designed to help internal users determine the exact composition of the HBO library at any time and for any region (and other variables).

• Technologies Used:

  Typescript, React, Recoil, NextJS, Docker, Kubernetes

• Development Approach:

  Employed an Agile methodology with a strong focus on continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD).

• Integration Strategy:

  Utilized Recoil for state management in the frontend application, ensuring seamless integration with backend services.

Results

• Efficient Content Preview:

  Enabled HBO teams to preview scheduled content efficiently, improving the content management workflow and preventing mishaps that could arise from the wide range of variables that go into scheduling content.

• Seamless Integration:

  Achieved flawless integration with multiple backend services, providing a comprehensive and cohesive tool.

• User-Friendly Interface:

  Developed an intuitive frontend application that enhanced the user experience for internal teams.

• Operational Stability:

  Ensured high availability and reliability through a robust infrastructure, supporting continuous operations.

• Scalability:

  Designed the tool to scale effectively, accommodating HBO's expanding content management needs.