IABM Journal Article By Simen K. Frostad
Chairman, Bridge Technologies
What is a decision?
It seems like a simple question, but it's one worth considering. What separates the terms decision' from choice'? The general consensus is: judgement and deliberation. Whilst a choice can be entirely arbitrary in nature, decision making is process orientated', linking behavior with performance and consequence. In essence, decisions act on inputs to drive outcomes. So it follows that all decisions are data driven' - in the sense that data', most widely defined, constitutes information - the inputs upon which the decision making process is exercised.
The key ingredients of a good decision
Thus, the quality of a decision is really impacted by three central factors: the extent of information available, i.e. the number of variables for which information exists, the quality of that data - with quantitative generally preferable to qualitative, and the extent to which the decision maker is able to make use of that data - both by virtue of how comprehensible it is, and how effective and knowledgeable the decision-maker is themselves.
Once upon a time, these three elements were entirely lacking in a broadcast environment. Your network either worked or it didn't, and often the first you'd know about it was Mr. Jones on the phone complaining he couldn't watch the Snooker. Trouble shooting was long, tedious and laborious. In essence, the data needed was lacking in quantity, quality, responsiveness and usability.
Perhaps less of a problem when infrastructure costs once meant that only a few big players dominated the market, and Mr. Jones had nowhere else to watch his snooker. But now, in an environment characterized by endless choice and next to no switching costs for audiences? A very different story.
Decision after decision
Troubleshooting decisions constitute just one type of decision you might make in a broadcast environment, and - moreover one you'd ideally like to avoid; if everything has gone well in your organisational decision making chain, you shouldn't be getting to the point where trouble-shooting decisions are even required.
In reality, decisions in the broadcast industry exist on a vast spectrum; they constitute the high level, boardroom decisions made regarding organizational strategy, and they constitute the millisecond decisions made regarding data paths through complex networks. Of course, at every point - regardless of scale - these decisions need effective metrics to support them.
Decision Blind
Of course, with this sheer scope and scale of decision making going on at the micro- and macro- level, it can be easy to become decision blind' -becoming entrenched in a process that uses the same outdated data points and unconscious biases, in an uncritical manner.
But critically revisiting these questions is key. Really how much do you really know about your network, and how much are you assuming? About your audience and their experience? What data points are you currently getting to inform your decision; how relevant, timely and usable are they? Are you sure you're making decisions, rather than arbitrary choices?
Fundamental questions perhaps - but it's surprising how many people aren't asking them - instead laboring on with outdated information and unchallenged assumptions. And that's really the main thrust of what we're driving at here: When was the last time you considered something as fundamental as what constitutes a decision'?
Probing the depths
It will come as no surprise to hear that technology is offering at least partial answers to many of the challenges we've outlined above. Broadcast network monitoring has never been more sophisticated or comprehensive than it is now. When it comes to the issue of quantity and quality of data points, it's now possible to use probes to gain real-time, continuous insight across the full broadcast chain - from ingest to contribution to playout - giving metrics on every component of technical network performance. From the camera painter in a remote OB van, to a network technician working on a headend, to a boardroom executive ruling on next year's budget, probes have the potential to give the data needed to make effective decisions: able to generate the kind of data that facilitates millisecond operations on audio and video transfer across networks, accommodating the widest range of operational protocols, standards and configurations - compressed and uncompressed, whilst also generating historical reports that give a strategic, birds-eye overview of operational performance for management and decision makers.
But does this increase in the quantity and quality of data points result in better decision making?
Not necessarily.
Indeed, an overload of information can be as limiting as it can be enabling in the wrong hands. It's only if this data is packaged and presented in a meaningful way that it can form the basis of effective decision making, even for those not necessarily versed in the intricacies and technicalities of network performance and IP packet transfer. It's here where an effective monitoring system will really set itself apart: putting eyes at every stage of the broadcast chain to produce not just data, but information which is meaningful, usable and presented in a way that is intuitive to understand.
Joined up thinking
All of these concepts become even more complex in complex environments (hardly a shock, right?). It's all very well gaining insight along your beautiful, shiny, newly installed IP network. But who has the budget for such a revolutionary upgrade? The truth is, the majority of broadcasters are working with piecemeal, hybrid and legacy systems, where the data available to harvest is wildly different in type, m
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Creative software developer Foundry today announced the latest developments on Nuke Stage. A purpose-built application for end-to-end virtual production and in-...
12/05/2026
Beyond the Hype: A Strategic Post-Hoc Analysis of NAB 2026 If NAB Show 2026 had an underlying theme, it was a quiet, industry-wide pivot from the high-energy sp...
12/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D), a Panoptec Technologies Group company, and CT Square, led by Chandresh Shah, have announced a joint venture to distribute G&D and V...
12/05/2026
With 30 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the United States, has announced th...
12/05/2026
The NHL has announced the return of Stanley Pup for its third consecutive year, a 90-minute special featuring adoptable rescue dogs competing on a miniature rin...
12/05/2026
NBCUniversal presented its 2026 Upfront to advertisers at Radio City Music Hall, detailing upcoming programming across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, and Versant properti...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced funding for the Fandom and Social Connection Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Publ...
12/05/2026
TNDV and Live Media, both divisions of Live Media Group, supported live broadcast coverage around NCAA Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, including the March M...
12/05/2026
The European Football Alliance (EFA) has announced a content distribution agreement with Fubo Sports Network, the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel ...
12/05/2026
For the first time, Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S. will have two separate tel...
12/05/2026
CP Communications led a comprehensive spectrum management initiative on behalf of Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week, coordinating RF assets across the ...
12/05/2026
LiveU has announced a strategic partnership with DRONERESPONDERS, a 501(c)3 non-...
12/05/2026
Open Broadcast Systems has announced that BMC TV, a specialist in IP transport of broadcast content, has selected the Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway solution...
12/05/2026
NEP Europe, part of NEP Group, has announced it will deliver broadcast solutions...
12/05/2026
Grass Valley has announced continued collaboration with Ravensbourne University ...
12/05/2026
Stats Perform has announced the launch of Opta Pulse, an AI-assisted video creation and distribution platform for leagues, rights holders, and broadcasters. The...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced a collaboration with Sesame Workshop to integrate Sesame Street characters into FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 programming. Conten...
12/05/2026
To date, NHL Productions has produced 19 broadcasts with commentary in American Sign Language
NHL in ASL (American Sign Language) may be just one show, but the...
12/05/2026
Google's Brian Albert: creators, athletes, highlights, nostalgia, second-scr...
12/05/2026
A still from Past Lives by Celine Song, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | p...
12/05/2026
Spotify is where fans and artists come together, turning discovery into somethin...
12/05/2026
Features patented Marco-MMC clocking technology
Black Lion Audio's latest release combines the company's expertise in clocking with their renowned p...
12/05/2026
New Track Panel, sequencer upgrades & more
Following their recent public beta release, Reason Studios have announced the full release of Reason 14. With the...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
12/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents its advanced solutions for power electronics testing at...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
12/05/2026
CVP, one of Europe's leading suppliers of professional video and broadcast solutions, has appointed Randy Koeman as Sales Manager, Netherlands, marking anot...
12/05/2026
Taiwan Television has expanded its HD content ingest workflow capabilities by investing in the PlayBox Neo Suite - a leading multi-channel multi-server UHD/HD/S...
12/05/2026
Jigsaw24 is strengthening its media team with the appointment of Tom Laker as Client Director and Ashish Chauhan as Project Manager. These strategic hires bring...
12/05/2026
Broadcast playout leader showcases hybrid IP infrastructure and workflow automation with Videoland deployment as regional benchmark...
12/05/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its centralised approach to production workflows...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
IABM Journal Article By Simen K. Frostad
