M+E Daily

Broadcast center relocation and real estate trends are having a significant impact on the media and entertainment (M&E) industry, according to M&E-focused consulting firm Qvest.

During the LinkedIn Live Event webinar “Next-Gen Facilities: Exploring Broadcast Centers and Real Estate for the Future,” Qvest explored the dynamic realm of broadcast center relocation, the driving forces behind broadcast center/real estate relocations, the challenges and opportunities associated with such moves, and understanding cost and operational impacts, including downsizing and financial benefits.

Introducing the two main speakers, moderator Sal DeMaio, senior manager (Broadcast Transformation) at Qvest, noted that Paul Charleston, principal at Qvest, and Eric Minoli, senior program manager at Qvest, “both have extensive experience in broadcast relocation, not just in the U.S. market, but globally.”

“I’ve spent 16 years in the broadcast industry looking after everything from operational engineering … through to major transformations and project engineering for vendors and broadcasters in the international marketplace,” Charleston said.

Minoli, meanwhile, noted he focuses on helping broadcasters to “drive transformation for the future … like relocation to different facilities.”

And DeMaio said he’s “been in the broadcast industry for a little over 24 years, working in pretty much every aspect of operations and engineering,” adding: “So I’m excited just to talk today on really what’s some of the driving factors as well as the opportunities that come from relocation … . The driving factors have changed over the last few years, especially [for] what’s really causing companies to look to relocate.”

Also, “streamlined workflows, remote capabilities, new generational workforce” [are] really changing the way we work in the broadcast industry,” DeMaio said.

The moderator asked Charleston if he could talk a little bit about his experience with that and “what you see are the driving factors now compared to maybe a few years ago.”

In response, Charleston said: “So what it really comes down to is legacy. So we had all of these broadcasters who set up very legitimately many years ago and have since become major brands. But when they started their journey as broadcasters or perhaps when they had their last major change, there were very different technologies. Personnel and locations that needed to be there where you had to consider a whole scenic department or perhaps a TV antenna in your back garden. Now people want a smaller and more agile space.”

At the same time, CFOs are “looking for money everywhere and, all of a sudden, they look beneath their feet and they see an old building that’s full of old cables, technology that’s not suitable and really an environment that no one wants to work in,” he said.

COVID then came along and made significant changes to the work environment practically overnight, he said. All companies now must have the capability to have a remote workforce. “And it seems that it’s kind of staying around,” he said.

Minoli went on to note that being able to edit remotely is now possible and “the broadcaster really had to adjust to that.”

Click here to watch the LinkedIn Live – ‘Next Gen Facilities: Exploring Broadcast Centers and Real Estate for the Future’ event.