Competition or Collaboration: where lies the future of broadcast?

INBroadcast January 2025

Simen K. Frostad, Chairman Bridge Technologies

A little competition never hurt anybody, or so the saying goes. Zero-sum games with a singular prize drive innovation, sharpen strategies, and inspire excellence – at least in theory. And certainly, for a time, it was true. Historically, technological progress was driven by companies who were cutthroat in their approach; those who guarded knowledge, drove their workforces to the edge, and were insatiable in their appetite for an ever-greater share of the market.

But in industries as complex and interconnected as broadcasting, the theory that underpins ‘zero sum’ competition simply doesn’t hold. In reality, success often hinges not on solitary wins but on collaborative ventures where shared goals amplify collective outcomes.

The rise of ‘we’re all in it together’

Perhaps one of the most important milestones in this new era of what one might term the ‘integration epoch’ was the development of the original SMPTE standards. This framework, introduced in 2017, marked a pivotal moment in the broadcast industry, laying the foundation for IP-based media workflows.

Crucially, the development of the standards required extensive collaboration between manufacturers, broadcasters, and industry bodies, necessitating cross-vendor interoperability to realise its potential. By establishing a common framework, the standards encouraged companies to work together on integration, testing, and innovation, transforming the industry mindset from competition to collaboration.

A Bridge to the future

Pivotal as that moment was in 2017, the groundwork was set long before. Tentative forays into IPTV were made as far back as 1995, but it was in the early 2000s that a few key players really saw the potential for IP-based broadcast, not as something niche, but as a cornerstone of the future. Bridge Technologies was one such company, and in 2004 they made it their mission to become ‘IP evangelists’. But just like SMPTE, they recognised that they couldn’t change an industry alone. The key to their success would lie in the spirit of collaboration.

The Sky(line) is the limit

One of the earliest collaborations for Bridge was their work with Skyline Communications and its DataMiner platform. In their own respective fields, each company had achieved quick mastery. For Bridge, this was monitoring, beginning first with the VB330, which delivers intuitive and actionable analytics across the full broadcast chain (whether terrestrial, satellite, IP, OTT or hybrid), and then the VB440, which has revolutionised the field of IP production. For DataMiner, this was the provision of an unrivalled end-to-end Network Management System.

The potentially symbiotic nature of these two operations was readily apparent – and the two companies were quick to capitalise on that, beginning with the integration of Bridge’s probes into DataMiner through Bridge’s External Integration Interface (EII). This allowed DataMiner to display real-time metrics and alarms from Bridge’s probes, alongside other data sources, in a single platform. Operators gained a centralised system for monitoring and managing network performance, reducing complexity and improving responsiveness.

The relationship evolved further with the introduction of the Remote Data Wall (RDW), allowing for customisable monitoring setups. Operators could merge metrics from both systems into bespoke views, enhancing their ability to adapt to changing production needs. Most recently, the integration of Bridge’s VB440 production probe into DataMiner has brought production-focused metrics into the fold.

A relationship over time

Unlike static and singular integrations, the partnership between Bridge and Skyline is an ongoing process. Both companies work continuously to optimise their systems, ensuring that they remain aligned with industry developments and user requirements. And, most importantly, with one another.

And whilst the relationship between the two companies is close, it’s by no means exclusive. DataMiner’s watchword is ‘integration’, and their platform is designed to bring together all kinds of disparate systems and technologies under one roof – harmonising, streamlining and optimising workflows. Similarly, Bridge have engaged in a huge range of partnerships and integrations to expand the functionality of their probes. In 2024 these included Chromorama, Zabbix, TFC and Pixotope. Over the years Bridge have also become active members of important industry groups, including AIMS, SVG, SRT Alliance, SCTE, Ravenna and IABM.

The latter organisation recently awarded Bridge and Skyline ‘Partnership of the Year’, recognising particularly a foundation of shared goals and a forward-looking mindset. From the early days of IP adoption, Bridge and Skyline recognised the technology’s transformative potential and worked together to realise its benefits for the industry. Their efforts have helped broadcasters navigate the transition to IP-based workflows and are now extending into live production.

Together, the two companies embody a belief that industry progress benefits everyone and that collaboration is essential for achieving it. Their work serves as a reminder that progress in broadcasting is not just about innovation but about creating connections—between technologies, companies, and the wider industry.