Building a Resilient Tech Team in Broadcast Media
Broadcast media technology is evolving quickly, yet its adoption can be challenging. In this demanding field, the resilience and adaptability of teams are key to driving successful transformations. Explore methods to cultivate resilient broadcast teams, enabling them to effectively manage change, tackle challenges, and excel under pressure.
Phil Hodgetts
Broadcast Media Lead
phil.hodgetts@caspianone.co.uk
Broadcast media technology is advancing rapidly, but adoption can be slow. Reliability and real-time demands mean there is little room for error when navigating technological transformation. The expansion of digital channels and the growing expectations of viewers have made resilient and adaptable teams the real drivers of successful transformation. In this high-stakes environment, it’s the strength of your people that truly makes the difference. Here are some strategies for building resilient, adaptable teams in broadcast media, equipping them to manage change, handle challenges head-on, and thrive under pressure.
Building Resilience in Broadcast Media Teams
Broadcast media operates in a high-visibility environment where even small disruptions can impact millions of viewers. Building adaptable and resilient broadcast teams is key to maintaining operational stability, but building these teams does not come without challenges. Let’s explore some strategies known to foster resilience in broadcast teams.
Live Event Simulation Drills
Run drills that mimic real-world, high-pressure scenarios such as live event streaming issues, signal loss, or unexpected equipment failure. These drills give teams hands-on experience with crisis protocols, preparing them to act quickly and confidently when real incidents arise.
Cross-Training for Multi-Platform Expertise
Cross-train team members across roles, such as video engineers, IT, and production teams, to support adaptability across functions. For example, training IT support in basic video engineering and familiarising video technicians with Over-The-Top (OTT) distribution methods ensures smoother operations and coverage when team members are unavailable or high-demand events occur.
Decentralised Decision-Making at Key Levels
Establish a clear framework for on-the-ground staff to make real-time decisions during live broadcasts. Empower broadcast control room and tech support teams to troubleshoot on the spot within set guidelines, reducing downtime and ensuring a proactive, responsive approach to high-stakes challenges.
Essential Skills for Adapting to Digital Change in Broadcast Media
As digital advancements continue transforming the broadcast media landscape, certain skills have become essential for teams to operate effectively and adapt to new technologies and viewer demands. Organisations that prioritise skill-building in areas like OTT platform management, cybersecurity, and cloud-based production are far better prepared to manage these complex changes.
Over-The-Top Platform Management
OTT streaming is now a key area in broadcast media, requiring technical skills to ensure seamless content delivery and quality control. Teams need expertise in adaptive bitrate streaming, content delivery networks (CDNs), and latency management
Proficiency in managing streaming protocols like HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP(DASH) is essential. Teams skilled in CDNs and server configurations can optimise content quality and minimise buffering, keeping audiences engaged across different devices
With strong OTT skills, teams can monitor and adjust stream quality based on network conditions, troubleshoot playback issues instantly, and manage live broadcast delivery with minimal interruptions, ensuring an optimal viewing experience
Cybersecurity for Broadcast Media
The increasing use of IP-based workflows and cloud integrations has raised the need for robust cybersecurity measures across broadcast systems. Teams must understand and implement security practices to safeguard content, viewer data, and operations.
Cybersecurity skills such as secure network management, data encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are foundational in protecting against unauthorised access and potential breaches. Broadcast teams need to be adept at incident response and recovery processes, ensuring quick action to mitigate risks
Teams skilled in cybersecurity can protect content distribution systems and sensitive data across the broadcast workflow, from production through delivery. Familiarity with security protocols and best practices helps prevent data breaches and ensures continuity of service even under cyber threats.
Cloud-Based Production Skills
As cloud-based tools and platforms become more prevalent, expertise in cloud production workflows is increasingly critical. Cloud-based media management allows teams to collaborate efficiently, access content remotely, and scale up production capabilities in real time.
Understanding cloud architectures (e.g., hybrid, public, private), virtualisation, and server management helps teams work efficiently within cloud-based environments. Proficiency with cloud-specific media production tools also enables seamless, collaborative content creation and post-production.
Skilled cloud teams can troubleshoot remote production issues quickly, optimise data storage, and manage content delivery from any location, supporting resilience in a distributed workforce.
How to Develop the Essential Skills for Broadcast Technology
Building resilient, high-performing broadcast teams involves both upskilling existing team members and acquiring specialised expertise. Here are some practical ways to achieve this:
Industry-specific certifications and training programs: Invest in certification programs and training specifically designed for broadcast media, such as OTT management, cybersecurity, and cloud production. Training tailored to broadcast media equips team members with relevant skills to manage evolving demands and technical challenges
Hands-on labs and real-time experience: Simulated labs and workshops focused on broadcast scenarios, such as live event production or cloud-based editing, allow teams to gain practical experience in real-world contexts. These hands-on sessions build confidence and ensure team members can apply skills immediately
Knowledge sharing and expert collaboration: Creating a shared repository of resources and insights can greatly enhance cross-functional collaboration, allowing teams to access solutions quickly and adapt processes based on past experiences. Pairing this with regular knowledge-sharing sessions led by industry experts keeps teams current on best practices and prepared for future innovations
Resilience is increasingly vital in broadcast media. Teams that are adaptable, skilled, and empowered can handle the complexities of modern broadcasting, from managing live events to navigating rapid technological advancements. Organisations can ensure that their broadcast teams are equipped for long-term growth by developing skills, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and supporting agile leadership.
With deep expertise across broadcast technology, cloud infrastructure, and media workflows, Caspian One supports broadcast media firms in building high-performing, resilient teams that drive impact. Speak to an expert today. .
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available, AI-assisted research and Caspian One’s market expertise as of the time of writing; written by humans. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered formal advice or specific recommendations. Readers should independently verify information and seek appropriate professional guidance before making strategic hiring decisions. Caspian One accepts no liability for actions taken based on this content. © Caspian One, March 2025. All rights reserved.
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