Unpacking the Modernisation of Broadcast Operations
Broadcasters are under pressure to evolve without compromising reliability. From AI-enhanced workflows to smarter cloud cost management and resilient live distribution, leaders are finding ways to modernise infrastructure with precision, speed, and minimal disruption.
Phil Hodgetts
Broadcast Media Lead
phil.hodgetts@caspianone.co.uk
Modernising broadcast infrastructure is no small undertaking, and in recent years has commanded increased focus from broadcast leaders. Viewer expectations are evolving rapidly, and the platforms they use to consume content are multiplying. At the same time, budgets are tightening, and the pressure to maintain uninterrupted delivery of live news, sports, and entertainment is intensifying.
The reality for most broadcasters is a balancing act. They need to upgrade systems and workflows to stay competitive, but they cannot afford to disrupt the daily output that drives revenue and audience engagement. This tension was a recurring theme at IBC 2025, where conversations focused on operational efficiency, pragmatic rollouts, and the need for faster returns on investment.
What’s clear is that modernisation must be approached with precision. It’s not about wholesale transformation but identifying the areas where change will deliver the most value with the least risk. Leaders are increasingly favouring phased upgrades, pilot programmes, and hybrid models that allow them to test new technologies without jeopardising core operations.
Related Reading: Why Legacy Systems Are Holding Back Innovation in Broadcast
AI That Supports Broadcast Workflows
AI is becoming a practical tool in broadcast environments, particularly in production and post-production workflows. The most effective use cases are those that enhance existing processes rather than replace them. At IBC, I noticed a strong focus on AI that improves speed, accuracy, and discoverability without introducing additional or unnecessary complexity.
In creative production, AI is helping generate more realistic graphics, reducing reliance on traditional CGI and green screen setups. These advancements are particularly relevant for high-end productions, where visual fidelity is critical. While the cost implications are still being evaluated, the pace of improvement over the past year suggests that AI-generated graphics will become a standard part of the toolkit.
In live and news production, agentic AI is being trialled to streamline editorial workflows. These agents can respond to queries about file formats, content location, and metadata, allowing teams to access information in real time. This reduces the time spent searching for assets and accelerates the path from capture to distribution. It’s a clear example of automation working inside real workflows, not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a support mechanism.
AI is also playing a growing role in audience analytics. Broadcasters are using it to understand what content is being watched, when, and by whom. This data is helping shape content acquisition strategies, scheduling decisions, and even business models. The ability to access and interpret this data quickly is enabling faster, more informed decision-making across the organisation.
Importantly, these applications are not speculative. They are being deployed in real environments, with measurable impact. The emphasis being on tools that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and deliver immediate value.
Related Reading: Making The Most of Your Next AI Project
Cost Control: FinOps is Becoming a Leadership Habit
Cloud infrastructure has brought flexibility and scalability to broadcast operations, but it has also introduced new challenges around cost management. Unpredictable bills and opaque pricing models are a growing concern for technology leaders, especially as cloud usage scales across the organisation.
FinOps, the practice of embedding financial discipline into cloud operations, is emerging as a critical capability. At IBC, there was a clear shift in mindset. Leaders are no longer treating cost as an afterthought. Instead, they are designing workflows with cost visibility and control built in from the start.
Some broadcasters are reducing cloud spend by reintroducing on-premise infrastructure for specific workloads. This approach allows them to manage costs more predictably, especially for tasks that require consistent performance. Others are refining their cloud usage with clearer rules about what stays steady and what bursts. The goal is to avoid surprises and ensure that spending aligns with operational priorities.
FinOps teams are helping technology leaders regain control by implementing tagging standards, setting monthly alerts, and reporting unit costs in plain language. These practices are still maturing, but they are already delivering results. Predictable spend enables better planning, and better planning reduces the risk of disruption.
In an ideal world, finance, operations, and technology should work together to define guardrails, monitor usage, and adjust strategies as needed. A collaborative approach like this is beginning to help organisations move from reactive cost management to proactive optimisation, but a greater alignment across these functions still needs to be more widely adopted before FinOps becomes habitual.
Resilience in Live Distribution: Satellite and Broadcast 5G
Live content remains the cornerstone of broadcast revenue and audience engagement. Sports, news, and events continue to draw large audiences, and any disruption in delivery can have significant consequences. As a result, distribution resilience is back in focus.
Broadcasters are revisiting satellite technologies and exploring Broadcast 5G to ensure coverage in remote or congested environments. Hybrid models are emerging, combining low-earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite contributions to improve reach and reliability. These setups reduce the risk of service interruption during high-stakes events.
Broadcast 5G is also gaining traction. Field trials have demonstrated its potential to deliver over-the-air content directly to mobile devices without consuming mobile data. This capability is particularly valuable in live sports scenarios, where audience demand can spike suddenly and unpredictably.
These technologies are not intended to replace existing infrastructure. Instead, they augment it, providing additional layers of resilience. By integrating satellite and 5G into their distribution strategies, broadcasters are creating an environment that supports consistent delivery even in challenging conditions.
Operational teams are also adopting smarter practices to reduce risk. Pre-event testing rituals, vendor coordination checklists, and contingency planning are becoming standard. These small but effective measures help ensure that live broadcasts proceed smoothly, even when unexpected issues arise.
Revenue Growth in Broadcasting Without Viewer Friction
As broadcasters seek to grow revenue, they are increasingly focused on preserving the viewer experience. The challenge is to monetise content without introducing friction or alienating audiences. This requires a thoughtful approach to advertising, distribution, and platform partnerships.
One strategy gaining traction is content diversification across platforms. By making content available on multiple streaming services, broadcasters can reach wider audiences and gather richer data. This data supports more effective monetisation, enabling targeted advertising and personalised recommendations.
Login-based streaming apps are a key part of this approach. They provide granular insights into viewing habits, allowing broadcasters to optimise ad placement and frequency. Some platforms are offering ad-free experiences at a premium, generating revenue without increasing ad load.
The emphasis is on making advertising feel native and unobtrusive. Smarter metadata, better targeting, and cleaner transitions are helping broadcasters improve fill rates and CPMs without compromising the viewer experience. Broadcasters are also exploring dynamic ad insertion (DAI) to stitch ads into streams in a way that feels seamless. This technique allows for more relevant and timely advertising, increasing effectiveness without disrupting the flow of content.
Modernising Broadcast Operations Can Be Done at Speed
Successful modernisation is not about sweeping transformation. It’s about identifying high-impact opportunities, proving value quickly, and scaling what works. Here’s a practical roadmap for broadcast leaders looking to upgrade infrastructure without risking daily operations:
Start with metadata and captions
Automate descriptions and captions to improve discoverability and accessibility. These are low-risk areas with high returns, especially when paired with human review for quality assurance.
Implement FinOps guardrails
Introduce tagging standards, monthly alerts, and clear rules for cloud usage. Assign ownership to a dedicated team and track impact in real terms. This helps prevent budget overruns and supports better planning.
Test resilience in live workflows
Run a pilot using satellite or Broadcast 5G for a single event. Measure performance, identify gaps, and refine the approach before scaling. This ensures that live broadcasts remain reliable even as infrastructure evolves.
The goal is to build momentum through focused, achievable wins, and to create a foundation for broader transformation. However, you can’t underestimate the time and expertise required to modernise broadcast infrastructure. If you’re running a lean team, you need to be confident that they can absorb the additional workload without burnout. Understand the skills required, the cost implications, and the operational impact before you commit. If the investment isn’t there, the project will struggle. Define what’s possible, advocate for what’s needed, and build from a foundation of realism.
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 2025. All rights reserved.
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