American Forces Network

Distribution
Modernization

Architecture & Cost Brief
FY2025
FOUO
01

The Legacy Architecture

AFN currently operates three parallel distribution systems — two satellite networks and a streaming platform — each running independent infrastructure and contracts.

AFN Legacy Construct — three-tier satellite and streaming distribution architecture
DTH Satellite
Direct to Home
$5.7M
Annual contract cost
DTS Satellite
Direct to Sailor
$7.6M
Annual contract cost
Streaming
AFN Now + AFN Go
$8.3M
Annual contract cost
Total annual spend
current state
$21.6M
Three contracts, three systems
02

The Modernized Architecture

A cloud-based playout system distributes all AFN content through commercial ISPs and public internet — eliminating both satellite uplink contracts while preserving full audience reach.

AFN Modernized — cloud playout with streaming-only distribution
Streaming only
future state annual spend
$8.3M

AFN Now and AFN Go continue unchanged. A new cloud playout system handles programming, CI, and live local station streams via NIPR and AM/FM.

Authorized audiences access services via public internet through contracted commercial ISPs — the same connectivity they already use for AFN Go.

Closing
AFN Broadcast Center
Riverside, California
Facility operations $4.0M/yr
Broadcast ops support $4.0M/yr
Total facility cost $8.0M/yr
→
Absorbing functions
Cloud Operations
Fort Meade, Maryland
All broadcast functions migrate to cloud playout
Operations managed by contractor from Fort Meade
No California facility lease, staffing, or support contracts
$8.0M in annual facility costs eliminated
03

What Changes

Eliminating the satellite contracts and closing the Riverside broadcast facility removes $21.3M in annual costs — leaving only the streaming platform that already serves the full audience.

Current state
$29.6M
Per year — distribution + facility
  • DTH satellite uplink contract ($5.7M)
  • DTS satellite uplink contract ($7.6M)
  • Streaming — AFN Now + AFN Go ($8.3M)
  • AFN Broadcast Center, Riverside CA — facility ops ($4.0M)
  • Riverside broadcast ops support ($4.0M)
Modernized state
$8.3M
Per year — streaming only
  • AFN Now streaming retained
  • AFN Go streaming retained
  • Cloud playout at Fort Meade (contractor-managed)
  • Delivery via contracted commercial ISPs
  • Riverside facility closed — zero facility costs
Annual savings breakdown
Distribution savings
Satellite contracts eliminated
$13.3M
DTH ($5.7M) + DTS ($7.6M)
DTH — Direct to Home satellite $5.7M
DTS — Direct to Sailor satellite $7.6M
Facility savings
Riverside closure
$8.0M
AFN Broadcast Center, CA
Facility operations $4.0M
Broadcast ops support $4.0M
Total annual savings
$21.3M
72% reduction from $29.6M to $8.3M
Eliminate the satellite contracts. Close Riverside. Keep everything that works.

The $13.3M in satellite contract savings comes from eliminating DTH and DTS outright — distribution capability that streaming already replaces. The additional $8.0M comes from closing the AFN Broadcast Center in Riverside and moving all broadcast functions to a contractor-operated cloud playout system at Fort Meade.

No audience capability is lost in either move. The transition removes redundant infrastructure and a costly California facility, not coverage or service.

Contracts, facilities, and infrastructure eliminated
ELIM DTH satellite uplink contract — Direct to Home broadcast service ($5.7M)
ELIM DTS satellite uplink contract — Direct to Sailor broadcast service ($7.6M)
ELIM AFN Broadcast Center, Riverside CA — facility operations ($4.0M)
ELIM Riverside broadcast operations support contract ($4.0M)
ELIM Legacy broadcast center distribution model
ELIM Direct operational dependency on DTH/DTS satellite infrastructure