Remote production capabilities to become a permanent requirement for media

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the use of remote technologies within sports production is rising rapidly, and it appears that it is set to have a permanent role to play going forward.

The majority of media executives polled while on a webinar held by Zixi, provider of live broadcast quality video over IP, said they see remote technology as something that will continue to benefit their staff and companies, even after the virus threat has reduced.

The poll of 80 global media company executives attending a Remote Monitoring and Management Webinar held 31 March, showed that 81% believe that their organisations require a permanent remote workforce capability for future breakouts from the current health crisis, or for potential future like incidents or disasters. This would enable broadcast quality live streaming operations from remote locations, such as the home.

With many inflexible hardware-based video infrastructures, keeping employees safe and at home while the show still goes on has been difficult for many. While more companies are realising the benefits of IP-based infrastructures, shifts towards software-based virtualised workflows and IP transmission have not happened fast enough for some, Zixi stated.

The poll showed that 53% believe the current US-based statewide shutdowns will last for another two months, with only 16% believing this current shutdown will last for more than six months, while also indicating that 66% believe that this is not a one-time event.

As part of the company’s initiative to help customers navigate through these unprecedented times when remote work is essential, Zixi recently offered new and existing Zixi customers the complimentary use of its cloud-based Video Control Plane, Zen Master, for three months in an effort to facilitate the provisioning, orchestration monitoring and management of live video streams by operations staff safely working remotely.

“While an abundance of Zixi’s customers have virtualised their workflows and have been able to reduce onsite employees as much as 80%, many media organisations have not and are now scrambling,” said Gordon Brooks, executive chairman and CEO, Zixi. “The number of companies that have broken the glass on what were long range plans is keeping us very busy and we hope making a difference.”