The advent of cloud computing technologies means the broadcast industry is currently undergoing a seismic shift. This transition from traditional hardware-based setups to complex IT-centric systems is fundamentally altering the landscape of media production. Industry veterans Stuart Ray, the Head of Skills and Development at The IABM and Damon Neale, the Managing Director of consulting firm Mediate Solutions highlight the urgent need for a revamped approach to training and development within the industry.
The Growing Demand for Hybrid Skills
Both Ray and Neale identify a growing need for professionals who are well-versed in traditional broadcast technology as well as contemporary IT practices, with a special emphasis on cloud computing and IP workflows. According to Ray, the IABM’s courses dealing with IP, Video over IP, and IP and File-Based Workflows are the organisation’s most popular. He believes that this reflects a significant pivot towards IT-centric capabilities within the broadcast sector.
“It’s important to remember that the fundamentals of broadcast tech haven’t really changed - it’s still ultimately a process of transporting a signal from A to B,” - Stuart Ray, Head of Skills and Development, The IABM
Neale emphasises the scarcity of cross-functional expertise in the industry, “A lot of the public cloud providers are willing to provide solution architects to help design how to best deploy in their cloud,” he says. “They are often absolutely fantastic. The only problem is, they might not understand our industry. It’s incredibly difficult to find people that have a broadcast background and truly understand the cloud because there are such deep skill sets, knowledge, and experience required in each of them,” he says, highlighting the depth of the challenge...
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
Content Everywhere: Accelerators for change
Content Everywhere companies are already in planning mode for this year’s IBC. Some will also have been working on, or at least taking note of, projects included in the event’s Accelerator programme.
Why media networks are being rewired for the speed of light
The elimination of OB trucks is just the start of the light revolution. For the media industry, a rewiring of the transport network from electrons to photons promises to unlock AI driven production, immersive formats, and globalised workflows while dramatically cutting energy consumption.
Q-Stream Alpha: Prioritising trust when the network can’t be trusted
As the industry navigates a storm of content authenticity threats, the Q-Stream Alpha: The "Tactical Truth" Pipeline Accelerator seeks to deploy AI, ML, and post-quantum encryption to apply C2PA principles within live workflows.
KICK: Writing the rules of high-altitude immersive production
From camera placement and viewer comfort to movement, pacing and post-production, the French Alps-set KICK provided Altitude101 with a unique opportunity to test, challenge and refine the methods shaping its immersive storytelling.
.jpg)
Sheffield DocFest: “We need to be more weird”
Funding remains a puzzle, but the documentary and factual entertainment genres are thriving at Sheffield Documentary Festival.
.jpg)
.jpg)
 (1).jpg)
