BXF Implementation Use Case Maine Public Broadcasting Network

Jason Salyards - Harris Broadcast Product Manager Automation Products

Overview • Repetitive, duplicated data entry across

workflows promoted errors and inefficiencies

• Implemented BXF interface between Myers ProTrack and Harris ADC Automation

• Visibility across systems and automated processes yielded fewer errors, efficiency, and time savings

Challenge

Solution

Results

MPBN Profile • Maine Public Broadcasting

Network (MPBN) – Formed in 1992; Operated by

Colby, Bates and Bowdoin Colleges

– Locations in Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland

– Five TV stations, seven radio stations, and three studios

Operations Environment (Before) Harris Broadcast ADC Automation

•Channel Playout •Media Preparation •Schedule Record •As-Run Generation

Myers ProTrack

•Schedule Creation •Media Management •As-Run Reconciliation

Daily Schedule (Flat File)

Daily As Run Logs

Business Challenges • Flat-files, manually translated and loaded

into automation

• Manual oversight to account for playlist modifications

• Limited, requiring re-entry of data at multiple points of process

• Manual confirmation of content availability to traffic team

Program Scheduling Metadata Exchange Content

Notifications

As Run Logs

BXF Overview BXF (Broadcast eXchange Format)

XML-based SMPTE standard

• BXF defines the language that systems use to communicate, but it does not specify what workflows must be supported.

• BXF benefits depend on the systems which implement the standard.

Harris Broadcast ADC Automation

•Channel Playout •Media Preparation •Schedule Record •As-Run Generation

Myers ProTrack

•Schedule Creation •Media Management •As-Run Reconciliation

Solution

Harris Broadcast Live Update

BXF Interface

Two-way Exchange

Automation System

Traffic System

BXF Interface

• Daily schedules, with exact timings, are automatically loaded into automation playlists

• Lockout time prevent changes within specified time to playout

Schedules (daily and ad-hoc)

Schedules

BXF Interface

• Operation changes are automatically fed back to traffic system

Manual Changes

Automation System

Traffic System

Manual Playlist Changes

BXF Interface

• Exact timings captured (SOM/EOM) during media prep are automatically sent to traffic system

• Traffic system is notified when media prep has completed and content is available

Metadata

Automation System

Traffic System

Metadata Exchange

Dub & Purge Lists BXF Interface

• Content awareness allows purge process to be traffic driven and automated

• Dub lists auto-populate metadata fields for content prep, eliminating manual entry

Automation System

Traffic System

Dub & Purge Lists

BXF Interface

• Traffic system is notified of manual changes to automation schedules streamlining recon process

As-Run Data

Automation System

Traffic System

Incremental As-Run

Overall Solution Benefits Before After

Program Scheduling • Daily, manual intervention • Automated daily schedule

loads

Metadata Exchange • re-entry at multiple points

• Dub lists auto-populate metadata

• Exact timings captured

Content Notifications

• Manual confirmation of content availability

• Notifications of completed prep • Purge is traffic driven and

automated

As Run Logs • Manual corrections to account for playlist edits

• Incremental. Automated reconciliation of operator playlist edits

Implementation Challenges • Early Adopter; closed functional gaps • Differences in BXF data representation

between systems • Testing an integrated solution between

different companies / geographies • Flow of error data from the deployment

site

Lessons Learned 1. Details critical; each BXF implementation will

have some unique requirements 2. BXF standard adoption does not mean plug-

and-play 3. Solution highlights intradepartmental

organizational dynamics

Organizational Impact Risk of Operations

perceiving a loss of control Traffic teams view of new

visibility and control

Before After

MPBN’s view “A single master control operator is often bombarded with tasks, and the Live-Update BXF-based system streamlines the traffic and ADC automation workflow so they can focus on other essential duties. This ends up in a better on-air product, as well as time- and money-savings for us. — Gil Maxwell Maine Public Broadcasting Network

Conclusion • Several benefits from a BXF installation

• Invest time in workflow details

• Not all BXF solutions are equal

Thank you