By Faisal Mahomed, director, BT Media & Broadcast
By Contributor
Published: August 24, 2020
By Faisal Mahomed, director, BT Media & Broadcast
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> By Faisal Mahomed, director, BT Media & Broadcast
https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/sustainability-accelerating-change-in-media-and-broadcast title=Share via Email class=share-email>
In recent months, huge pressure and demands have been heaped on the media and broadcast industry, exacerbating an already precarious situation for many organisations. As an industry we have found ourselves in a paradox; live production of content limited, by government restrictions, just at a time when more people are at home, increasing content demand more than ever. It has been incredible being part of and watching an industry overcoming such obstacles, coupled with creativity and tenacity that quickly saw some pivot to new ways of working, such as remote production.
Such was the time, following events in the US, the world has been gripped by movements inspired by Black Lives Matter to drive change - not just in a single industry but across society. It's forced all sectors to look within, to see how improved inclusion can be brought about; which has resulted in a number of initiatives and pledges by the media industry, that can be truly transformational over the coming years.
2020 is viewed as a year of challenge, which is most definitely has been, but progress in the two areas of sustainability - environmental and diversity - provide an early blueprint for hope.
The road to more sustainable broadcasting
Transport is responsible for nearly 30 per cent of the EU's total CO2 emissions, of which 72 per cent comes from road transportation. As such, many industries look at lowering road use to reduce carbon footprints, and broadcasting is no different - it just required a new way of thinking and working. That opportunity came with the government restrictions around the pandemic preventing traditional broadcasting activities and processes, so it was time to find another way.
Project Restart became the perfect catalyst to start to address the issue. Pre-pandemic, broadcasting live sporting events could mean travel for around six people who would set up in a production van (which also has to be driven), two more people setting up the plug-and-play fibre, and all the broadcasters.
With remarkable industry collaboration, it was proven that fewer individuals are needed to be physically present in production or outside broadcast vans. Instead, seamless network connectivity that connects producers, editors and other individuals who were now working remotely; workflows were being redesigned and becoming a new foundation. The quality of the content produced revealed that remote working is a viable option when underpinned by top-tier network solutions, which can bring jobs and opportunities to locations local to the many.
Project Restart was the leap of faith needed. With far fewer vehicles required, it is a referenceable example of a sustainable initiative that can go a long way to achieving the government's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Within the media industry, organisations can do their bit by being a part of and wholly committing to initiatives such as the DPP's sustainability programme. The programme provides practical tools for organisations to gain a better understanding and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
As we all watched our television or other devices more closely, something else was happening - an increasing democratisation of production, with many more diverse faces appearing and producing content. A benefit of more flexible working that helped springboard the next important step in sustainability: diversity and inclusion.
albert celebrates class of 2020
ITV's regional news achieves albert certification
albert to explore impact of sports broadcasting on the environment
Strength lies in differences, not similarities
Recent movements in racial and gender equality has sparked entire nations into action and the media and broadcasting industry is responding in kind. Change needed to happen; according to Ofcom's Diversity and Equal Opportunities in Television report, evidence suggests too many people of differing backgrounds are excluded from working in the industry. The proportion of women in senior television roles is significantly lower than men, the representation of disability has not improved and employees from BAME backgrounds remain under-represented at senior levels.
The increased focus on the news led to many commitments across the industry, such as those from SKY, ITV, BBC and BT Sport - all pledging public ambitions to diversify not only the workforce, but also those visible on television.
New ways of working gives employers access to the best talent in the world and opens up jobs to candidates of all classes and backgrounds - regardless of demographics, whether they have to stay at home for childcare or if they have a disability that makes it difficult to travel. Moving forward, with the increased convergence of broadcast and IT engineering, more flexible and variable workflows should in turn accelerate the diversification of the workforce.
What does this mean for the media and broadcast industry?
We all have a chance to define how we work; some refer to this as the new norm, but it would be better characterised as the next evolution of working. The great thing is companies have already reacted. For instance, innovative solutions have been created and launched to support live events, while environmental commitments are ever more embedded in corporate strategy planning. Furthermore, regarding diversity and inclusion, media companies again are already embracing initiatives to increase inclusion, not
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
By Faisal Mahomed, director, BT Media & Broadcast
