Embodiments are provided for a cloud-based reliable media ingestion and transcoding. The embodiments comprise an improved backup mechanism where each worker node, such as a virtual machine, physical machine, workstation, or server, in a cloud or Internet environment handles one streamed media/video channel transcoding and another streamed media/video channel ingestion backup. To reduce ingestion storage demands, the ingestion backup storage is based on a pre-determined relatively short-term sliding window. When an ingestion and transcoding worker node fails, a new worker node is brought up to take over from the failed worker node the live transcoding task of a first channel and the ingestion backup task of a second channel. Additionally, the new worker node retrieves backup data for the first channel from a third worker node and a central media storage to ensure seamlessly uninterrupted live ingestion and transcoding of the first channel, and continues the ingestion backup task of the second channel.