Before the outbreak of Covid-19, transitioning to remote workflows was generally perceived as a desirable yet intimidating process for many broadcasters, and one that could be best addressed again later in the future. Those that did produce content remotely tended to focus on either lower tier sports where the audiences and expectations were smaller, or supplement traditional broadcasts of top tier or primetime events. However, the pandemic we’ve faced in 2020 has changed everything. The way live sports are produced has had to be completely rethought during the lockdown, and we’re seeing very different production models appear as we prepare to hopefully return to some semblance of normality in 2021.
Media Workspaces During COVID-19 and Beyond
The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced nearly every company to reassess their media workspaces as they plan their employee’s return to the office and meet stringent new safety guidelines. While many can continue to leverage telework technology, there remain several in the media industry whose work practices are tied to a specialized, physical environment. Sustaining these “place-based functions” in both work-from-home and return-to-office situations creates a material challenge for any organization. We have learned by working with our clients in such situations that the workplace will be significantly altered for some time to come. And, despite the unfortunate condition created by this global crisis, some of these changes may improve performance and productivity. Here are some key points on what we’ve seen…
On-Air, From Anywhere
The COVID-19 pandemic with its shelter in place orders and social distancing mandates has transformed the flexibility to effectively work remote from a luxury into an operational necessity . Large meetings are now taking place virtually from dining room tables and the morning commute to the office has gone from 45 minutes to just 45 steps—including that pitstop for your morning coffee. Just as boardrooms have moved into the dining room, newsroom operations are also finding their new home outside of the broadcast facility. However, leading technology manufacturers are helping media operations make this transition without skipping a beat.
Covid success story: Telstra
Over the last decade, with the likes of Uber, Monzo and Netflix dominating and disrupting traditional industries, we’ve seen first-hand the revolutionary potential of digital transformation. The acceleration of digital technology has become a buzzword yet again in 2020 with the emergence of Covid-19. The pandemic has sped up several incubating trends over the last four months and digital is now a universal requirement for every business that remains in business today. It is also the means to productivity and resilience from future crises and shocks.
Covid success story: TVU Networks
We’re all in this together. These were the words we came to say and believe as an organization in early spring as the coronavirus spread across the world and began to paralyze the business operations of our customers and the broader community. Even as we were transitioning our worldwide staff to long-term work-from-home arrangements and restricting travel for safety, we were planning and mobilizing as an entire company to help broadcasters to transition from physical studio operations to remote setups in living rooms and other shared living spaces in homes.
Covid success story: Zixi
The current climate has certainly spurred a movement towards the virtualization of broadcast media infrastructure. Zixi’s Software-Defined Video Platform can help media companies navigate this transition expertly, without sacrificing continuity of broadcast operations. Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Zixi has been able to provide continuity and quality of service, both within the company and for our clients and partners.
Platform Survey: The New World Of Tech Communications
As the world tentatively looks to the future, there’s a natural re-alignment of priorities and an emphasis on working out what the “new normal” might be. In that spirit, we asked leading technology journalists and analysts for their views on how technology companies have been communicating during the Covid-19 pandemic and what they want more/less of in future. The results reveal important insights that will help technology communicators plan their next steps.
Newsbridge: Onboarding During COVID19
How To Integrate New Team Members During a Global Health Crisis
So clearly we are living in an exceptional time. In a matter of months, our personal and professional routines have evolved on a massive scale. For companies currently hiring, candidates with a track record of adaptability are in high demand.
And there’s something about this word, adaptability… and how it applies to so many aspects of work right now. Adaptability of current employees’ mindsets, work and management styles, environments and various procedures and processes, such as employee on-boarding.
Live Centralized IP Sports Production Across Australia
Marc Segar (Director of Technology, NEP Australia) explains the drivers and key benefits behind having a multi-client, multi-user and centralized environment as NEP Australia embark on the largest IP roll out to date. Four new all-IP broadcast trucks, seven upgraded existing trucks, and two new IP production centers are creating centralized facilities for equipment, whilst technical and production staff have the flexibility to work anywhere on the new network. All equipment and resources are shared in real-time across all connected 29 tier one sports arenas.
