Broadcast TECH
TECHNOLOGY SURVEY COST TRUMPS CREATIVE BENEFITS
Last year, our inaugural industry technology audit revealed big challenges in the cost and logistics of delivering file-based data to post facilities. This year, the focus has moved onto the wider issues of storage, archive and delivery. More than 300 people took part – almost double last year’s number – and again the results are split
into four categories: overall results, broadcasters and in-house post facili- ties; production companies; and post facilities, studios and OBs. We asked respondents how much they plan to spend between now and next year, and on what. We also questioned them on their priorities in terms of kit spend and the most popular services being sought. It is clear that the key reasons for buying are still ROI and efficiency, with products that streamline workflows and reduce costs increasingly sought-after. But while respondents may work in a creative industry, there’s little mention of the creative benefits of technology – with early adopters saying their biggest challenge is convincing their bosses to try out new ways of working because the end result might just lead to better content. Expect a bigger push on this issue over the next year.
Ann-Marie Corvin, survey editor 18 WHO TOOK PART?
More than 300 people took part in our survey, with 66% of respondents belong- ing to firms with 50 employees or fewer. Most hold senior staff positions, with managing directors accounting for 24% of responses and divisional heads and department heads representing a further 14%. As you would expect in the broadcast industry, the freelance workforce accounts for just under a quarter of all respondents. The level of involvement in the decision-making process among our respond- ents is high, with 73% claiming some involvement in procurement. Approximately 40% of respondents claim to make the final decision when buying kit, while a further 14% say it is their job to identify the need for new purchases. People working at independent production companies comprise a third of all respondents, while broadcasters, in-house facilities, playout companies and broadcast service providers make up another 21%. Workers from the independ- ent post and audio sector, OBs and studios account for a further 12%. Other respondents reflect the diverse range of service providers that make up the broadcast TV technology industry, with everyone from systems integrators, hire companies, manufacturers, content management companies and training providers having their say. Geographically, our average respondent is likely to be based in London (37%) or Greater London (23%), while companies based in the south-east account for a further 16%. The biggest group of responses outside the M25 corridor comes from the north-west (6%), while 12 of our respondents (4%) work overseas in territories such as Scandinavia, Africa and the US. Only four respondents (1%) describe themselves or their companies as ‘technology sceptics’ who rarely adopt new technology, with most purporting to be ‘enthusiasts ahead of the curve’ (33%) or ‘early adopters’ (27%). There are a fair few pragmatists around, though, with just over a quarter of all respondents admitting to only buying technology when the market demands it.
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CONTENTS SURVEY RESULTS
Focus shifts to storage and archiving BROADCASTERS
10 12
HD still the number one technology challenge PRODUCTION COMPANIES
Digital cameras top the agenda POST, STUDIOS AND OBS
Tapeless delivery is the main priority 14 18
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/techfacils
July/August 2012 | Broadcast TECH | 9
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