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...
18/05/2026
Despite a bumpy start to the year, the provider of event-production support and ...
18/05/2026
Daktronics has partnered with the University of North Carolina to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet and more than 14...
18/05/2026
CBS LA has announced a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, covering exclusive local broadcasts of Rams preseason games, weekly year-round programm...
18/05/2026
Skyline Communications has announced an integration between its DataMiner xOps p...
18/05/2026
eCLUTCH, the hybrid esports platform powered by iKOMG, has announced an expansion of its distribution across Europe, MENA, Africa, and Asia, along with new cont...
18/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/05/2026
With 22 games this season, the production team looks forward to tweaking and enhancing the coverage
After 8,660 days off the air, the WNBA returned to NBC yest...
18/05/2026
(L-R) Midori Francis and Natalie Erika James attend the Saccharine premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 22, 2026, in ...
18/05/2026
Last night, the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico returned to the country's capital. Now in its second year, the evening honors creators whose voices are hel...
18/05/2026
ZEN-Core synth goes mobile
Roland's powerful ZEN-Core software synthesizer has just been introduced to the iPad, offering a convenient entry point into ...
18/05/2026
Versatile new limiter plug-in announced
Based in Sheffield, UK, fedDSP offer a range of plug-ins that span the music production, live sound and high-end med...
18/05/2026
A new use for convolution?
Viiri Audio's debut plug-in aims to do something a little different with convolution processing, allowing users to adjust all...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
18/05/2026
The Australian Defence Force uses L3Harris T4 and T7 robots for explosive ordnan...
18/05/2026
Continued investment across Europe and Germany is expanding local teams and improving access to stock, regional expertise, and specialist broadcast support.
CV...
18/05/2026
18 May 2026
Dubai and New York, May 18, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a glob...
18/05/2026
Monday 18 May 2026
Sky News offers ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes for just...
18/05/2026
Comscore March 2026 Consumer AI Chatbot Usage Rankings Show Claude Gaining Share OpenAI's ChatGPT maintains lead while Anthropic's Claude continues to c...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
17/05/2026
Back to All News
Oasis Premieres on Netflix June 19
Entertainment
17 May 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Summer, sunshine, the beach, parties. T...
16/05/2026
Helps to deliver a clean, balanced midrange
Developed alongside Newfangled Audio, the latest plug-in in Eventide's software collection has been designed...
16/05/2026
Brings onboard stem rendering to RANE System One
Engine DJ have just released Engine DJ 5.0, a free update for their Engine DJ OS embedded hardware and Engi...
16/05/2026
Boris FX Continuum Pairs AI Precision and Advanced Creative Controls
Jessie Electa Petrov May 16, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic de...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation an...
15/05/2026
Dan Brumm has served as sound designer on Bluey, the Australian children's t...
15/05/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are accepting applications for the 6th annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Schola...
15/05/2026
Netflix has announced an expanded NFL schedule for 2026 and beyond under a four-year partnership extension with the NFL through the 2029-30 season. Each season,...
15/05/2026
Ateme is supporting TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) with a contribution and d...
15/05/2026
Concacaf has announced the launch of a new website and mobile app built on Deltatre's FORGE platform. Concacaf.com and the mobile app, available on iOS and ...
15/05/2026
Eutelsat has announced the launch of QBC Business Economic Channel by Qatar Media Corporation, broadcasting in 4K/UHD via Eutelsat's 7/8 West video neighbo...
15/05/2026
Major League Soccer has announced four original content series timed to the 2026...
15/05/2026
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) has announced it will exhibit and present at InfoComm 2026, taking place June 13-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Cente...
15/05/2026
InfoComm 2026 will take place June 13-19 (exhibits June 17-19) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show will include sessions and exhibits covering broadcas...
15/05/2026
Tracy McGrady's Ones Basketball League (OBL) and FuboTV Inc. have announced ...
15/05/2026
Disguise has partnered with Creative Technology (CT) to deliver visual playback ...
15/05/2026
Sony Electronics has announced two new products for professional imaging: the Alpha 7R VI full-frame mirrorless camera and the FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS super-te...
15/05/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
15/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
15/05/2026
For sports organizations, the most valuable assets are often the most sensitive:...
15/05/2026
The NFL's broadcast partners released their 2026 regular season schedules ye...
15/05/2026
Besides drawing on experience with boxing, the production integrates specialty c...
IABM Journal Article By Simen K. Frostad
