Live concerts and sporting events on platforms like and . Entire broadcast workflows and studios managed through the cloud. A U.S. election that鈥檚 being widely . YouTube is now the , followed by WhatsApp and TikTok. And the ever-squeezing vice that鈥檚 while simultaneously increasing demands on those same platforms.鈥
It鈥檚 safe to say that there鈥檚 no shortage of competition in the broadcast industry and deep viewership ripe for innovative content producers and broadcasters. To meet this demand and to beat the competition, broadcasters need to deliver real-time and on-demand content in an interactive manner across an ever-growing pool of platforms. Their needs are complex and specific.
In this landscape, media companies are constantly pressured to adopt cutting-edge technology and must make purchasing decisions at a rapid pace. Technology innovators, likewise, are under pressure to push out products to adapt to this rapid change. But when decisions are rushed, mistakes are easily made.鈥
Most commonly, these mistakes will emerge as a disconnect between technology that is created and sold, and what actually aligns with the broadcaster鈥檚 day-to-day challenges, operational workflows, and long-term goals. When it doesn鈥檛 align, operational inefficiencies emerge and the overall efficacy and reliability of the broadcast infrastructure comes into question.鈥
Taking a customer-driven approach to innovation that streamlines and simplifies workflows while maintaining quality is the way around this disconnect. This article will explore why that鈥檚 important, and how to find technology partners to help you take the necessary steps to innovate and think bigger about engaging and delighting your viewership.
In an industry where technology and consumer habits are rapidly changing, live broadcast and media organizations need more than just cutting-edge solutions. They need tools designed with specific challenges and operational success in mind.鈥
Innovation without understanding the customer’s needs can result in technology that fails to solve real-world problems, leaving broadcasters with tools that don鈥檛 drive their business forward and may even hinder the quality of their broadcasts.鈥
This leads to four specific problems for both broadcasters and technology providers:
Broadcast technology should be developed in lock step with customer needs. And that鈥檚 only possible when the technology provider develops close relationships with their customers, which in turn leads to customer-driven innovation.
Broadcast technology that doesn鈥檛 align with real-world needs isn鈥檛 useful. We鈥檝e established that. Instead, what鈥檚 needed is close collaboration between end users鈥攂roadcasters鈥攁nd individuals who create the technology they use to build and deliver content to their audiences. Customers, in other words, need to be in the driver鈥檚 seat of innovation.鈥
When they are, technology is planned, developed, and refined to address specific pain points and operational goals, instead of being driven by the hottest trends of shareholder pressures. This ensures that the technology allows for greater operational efficiency, reliability, and opportunities for strategic growth, rather than being a barrier to it.鈥
The most successful technology partnerships are those that prioritize customer collaboration, ensuring broadcasters are equipped to thrive both today and in the future. Tech providers can deliver practical, easy-to-use, and scalable solutions by engaging broadcasters throughout the product development process.
A technology partner that listens to these specific needs and develops tools to meet them helps the broadcaster not only deliver on the viewer’s expectations but also can construct integrations between these tools to ensure that the broadcast is seamless and free from delays.鈥
Broadcasters should look closely at each vendor鈥檚 track record for customer-driven innovation when considering new technology partners. To do so, look for vendors who show the following characteristics and values related to their product innovation and customer service initiatives.鈥
First and foremost, broadcasters should look for technology partners with a deep understanding of the broadcast industry, the challenges they face as broadcasters, and the opportunities available to solve those challenges. Like with any partner, you want someone who is deeply plugged into industry, and intimately understands the technology, viewer demands, and platform requirements for large scale broadcasting.鈥
Ideally, these providers should have a clear perspective on where broadcast technology needs to go, and what they are going to do to help get it there. Look for providers who actively solicit feedback from their customers to better understand what end users need from their technology equipment.鈥
The deep industry knowledge mentioned above doesn鈥檛 just happen overnight. It comes from years of trial and error and, more importantly, from listening to clients.鈥
The strongest technology partnerships are built on a foundation of understanding the client鈥檚 unique operational needs and aligning product development with those needs. Broadcasters should look for technology partners that actively incorporate client feedback into their innovation processes.鈥
This is how that looks in practice.鈥
If you鈥檙e unsure if a potential partner incorporates these points into their R&D roadmap, ask how they decide what products to build. It may be a red flag if customer input isn鈥檛 at least part of that process.鈥
Another key indicator of trust is a technology provider鈥檚 ability to anticipate future challenges before they become problems. This can be gathered from their own experience and from customer feedback sessions.鈥
Using these inputs to inform and adapt product roadmaps is another sign of a customer-driven technology partner. They actively listen to customer challenges, overlay that with their own experience, and forecast future needs鈥攚hether that鈥檚 addressing the growing demand for UHD content, integrating with new cloud-based workflows, or anticipating new distribution platforms.鈥
Broadcasters should expect technology partners to invest in scalable solutions that will help to modernize their current operations. Scalable technology is designed with the flexibility to integrate new technologies and workflows as industry trends shift. This future-proof approach prevents broadcasters from being locked into outdated systems, ensuring they can adapt as media landscapes evolve.鈥
To achieve that level of forethought, innovators need to intimately understand where customers are today, and what they will likely need in the future. That鈥檚 the sign of a customer-driven technology partner.鈥
Trust with a technology partner is also built on how effectively they support the broadcaster鈥檚 day-to-day operations鈥攅ither directly through support services or indirectly through user-friendly and well-integrated tools.鈥
The most reliable partners design technology that is intuitive and easy to implement within existing workflows. They couple this with highly skilled and customized training that allows broadcasters to quickly integrate new technology into their operations. Look for solutions that simplify complex tasks and make your team more efficient.鈥
Support is also an important factor. Broadcasters should seek partners who provide on-call, 24/7 support, offering fast, effective solutions when issues arise. This type of support minimizes downtime, reduces operational costs, and ensures broadcasters can maintain high-quality production standards, even under pressure.
Bonus points for any technology partner who also uses these support conversations to help inform future product updates!鈥
Broadcasting is growing more complex every year. The last thing broadcasters need is added complexity from products that don鈥檛 align with their day-to-day needs. By focusing on scalability, innovation, and adaptability, Ross ensures its customers can grow confidently, innovate boldly, and deliver exceptional content across platforms. 91桃色 provides broadcasters with the tools and expertise to thrive in an industry that rewards agility and creativity.
This puts their customers in the driver鈥檚 seat, giving them the power to shape the future of the tools they use to deliver great content and experiences to their viewers.鈥
As the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry stands at the crossroads of technological transformation, the choices you make today will define your operational success in the future.
Whether you鈥檙e planning to build or upgrade new facilities, our comprehensive whitepaper, 鈥The Ins & Outs of Today鈥檚 Signal Transport,鈥聽provides the essential insights you need to make the best decision for your organization today and tomorrow.
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