From Engineers to Babysitters: How Corporate Consolidation Transformed Broadcast Technology

Fully Modulated

#Tyler Woodward #Fatherhood #Dad Life #Personal Stories #Parenting #Humor #Real Talk #Family Life #Science #Life Lessons #Everyday Life #Tech #Health and Well-Being

17:27

Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explains a similar approach in academia called the "Grandma test," and how public speaking can be as simple as a conversation with grandma. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Become a TED Member today at https://ted.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

about a year ago 9:50

MP3•Episode home

Send me a text!

Remember when your local TV station actually felt local? When engineers knew every inch of the equipment and could fix problems with a screwdriver instead of a help desk ticket? Those days are rapidly disappearing as corporate consolidation reshapes the broadcast landscape.
The quiet revolution in local television has transformed independent stations into remote outposts of massive media conglomerates. Since 1995, we've witnessed a 40% drop in companies owning local stations while giants like Nexstar and Sinclair now control hundreds of stations across the country. This isn't just changing what viewers see – it's fundamentally altering how broadcast engineers work and what "local" television actually means.
Today's broadcast engineers face a radically different reality. Instead of maintaining equipment they can touch, they're managing playout servers across multiple states, troubleshooting automation systems via VPN, and hoping their remote connections don't fail during breaking news. As legendary consultant Fred Baumgartner puts it, "We used to be engineers, now we're IT administrators with a broadcast badge." Technical staffing has been cut by 30% over the last decade, while the average engineer's workload has doubled. Meanwhile, nearly one in five TV markets has lost locally produced news entirely.
But it's not all doom and gloom. The evolution has brought new challenges and technologies – IP systems, virtual machine playout, remote workflows – that push engineers to develop new skills. The question remains: are we empowering engineers to truly run these systems, or just babysit them? If you've lived through this transition, text me your experiences with the link in the episode description. Whether your story involves multimarket automation nightmares or MacGyver-level engineering solutions, I want to hear how you're keeping television signals flowing in this brave new world of consolidated broadcasting.

Support the show

If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com, or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Chapters

1. From Engineers to Babysitters: How Corporate Consolidation Transformed Broadcast Technology (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Fully Modulated (00:00:31)

3. The Evolution of Local TV Engineering (00:01:34)

4. Central Casting's Human Cost (00:03:22)

5. Consolidation By The Numbers (00:05:04)

6. Voices From The Trenches (00:06:57)

7. Final Thoughts and Call to Action (00:08:22)

9 episodes

From Engineers to Babysitters: How Corporate Consolidation Transformed Broadcast Technology

Fully Modulated

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Send me a text!

Support the show

If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com, or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Chapters

1. From Engineers to Babysitters: How Corporate Consolidation Transformed Broadcast Technology (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Fully Modulated (00:00:31)

3. The Evolution of Local TV Engineering (00:01:34)

4. Central Casting's Human Cost (00:03:22)

5. Consolidation By The Numbers (00:05:04)

6. Voices From The Trenches (00:06:57)

7. Final Thoughts and Call to Action (00:08:22)

9 episodes

#Tyler Woodward #Fatherhood #Dad Life #Personal Stories #Parenting #Humor #Real Talk #Family Life #Science #Life Lessons #Everyday Life #Tech #Health and Well-Being

All episodes

Fully Modulated

1
Those Annoying Tones? They're About to Get Fascinating 1:20

18 hours ago1:20

1:20

Send me a text! Something new is coming to Fully Modulated, and it's all about those jarring tones that interrupt your favorite programs during emergencies. Starting June 16th, the podcast transitions to a seasonal format with our first season dedicated entirely to exploring the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Why the change? This new approach allows us to dive much deeper into fascinating topics rather than skimming the surface. Over 10 carefully crafted episodes, we'll unravel everything about the EAS – from its technical foundations to the compelling stories behind its development and deployment. You'll discover how those attention-demanding alerts actually work, why they matter so much for public safety, and the intricate systems that make nationwide emergency communication possible. This season is designed for everyone – whether you're a broadcast engineering professional who works with these systems daily or simply someone who's wondered about those tones that interrupt your weather report. The content will be accessible yet substantive, breaking down complex technical concepts without oversimplification. If you've ever been curious about the infrastructure that keeps us informed during critical situations, or if you work in broadcasting and want to understand more about a system you interact with regularly, this season was made for you. Mark June 16th on your calendar and prepare to transform those familiar interrupting tones from minor annoyances into fascinating windows into emergency communications technology! Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
Cable Giants Merge, Local TV Fights Back: Why OTA Still Matters 20:04

3 days ago20:04

20:04

Send me a text! Cable industry titans are merging, and the consequences for local television could be profound. The $34.5 billion Spectrum-Cox merger and Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications represent massive shifts that put the future of accessible local broadcasting at risk. When cable providers and broadcasters clash over retransmission fees, viewers lose access to critical local news, weather updates, and emergency information during blackouts. These disputes have tripled in frequency over the past decade, leaving communities vulnerable and broadcast engineers scrambling to maintain service. For local stations, these fees represent 30-40% of their revenue – essential funding for newsrooms, technology upgrades, and emergency systems. Amidst this corporate consolidation, over-the-air television remains a powerful, free alternative. An estimated 15-20% of American households regularly use antennas to access local channels without monthly fees or blackout risks. This technology proves especially crucial during emergencies when internet and cable services might fail, yet reliable information is most needed. The horizon brings both promise and peril with ATSC 3.0 (Next-Gen TV). While offering impressive technical advancements like 4K video and better mobile reception, the FCC's approval of Digital Rights Management encryption threatens the very concept of free television. This controversial decision could create paywalls for content that has historically been freely accessible to all. For broadcast engineers like myself, these challenges represent both technical and ethical dilemmas. How do we maintain access for vulnerable populations while adapting to industry changes? How can we preserve the public service mission of broadcasting in an increasingly consolidated marketplace? The answers will shape not just entertainment options, but public safety and community connections for years to come. Ready to prepare for cable blackouts and take control of your local TV access? Learn more about setting up an antenna and join our community of viewers committed to keeping local broadcasting strong. Share your experiences with cable disputes or OTA success stories – I'd love to hear from you! ------------------------------- ✅ Credits: Verizon and Disney News Clip is Courtesy of KDKA-TV Pittsburgh/YouTube Spectrum and Cox merger news clip courtesy of 🚨 New Bonus Episode! 🚨 Someone came at me online — and honestly? He wasn’t wrong. In this Fully Modulated mailbag episode, I dig into a spicy comment about EAS tones, what really triggers alert gear (spoiler: it’s not the tones), and why it’s so easy to get that part confused — even for us engineers. 🎙️ Need a voice tracker for your station? I’m Tyler — experienced in rock and classic hits, but open to other formats (no polka, thanks). Fast turnaround, easy to work with, and budget-friendly. Hit me up: tyler@fullymodulated.com Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
Unraveling the Puzzle: When HD1 Drops But HD2 Doesn't 12:25

10 days ago12:25

12:25

Send me a text! Ever faced a technical problem that defied conventional wisdom? In our latest deep-dive, we unravel a perplexing HD radio mystery that had us questioning everything we thought we knew about digital transmission. Our HD1 signal kept dropping out randomly for fractions of seconds while HD2 played flawlessly—a contradiction that shouldn't happen if the issue was with the exciter or transport stream. We meticulously examined every component: the Nautel NV30 transmitter, HD multicast units, Omnia 9 processor, even the Justin 808 time alignment system. Everything checked out perfectly with no errors in logs, yet the problem persisted. The breakthrough came when we discovered our monitoring equipment was giving contradictory information. The Inovonics 632 receivers consistently showed dropouts while the newer 551 mod monitors worked flawlessly. After consulting with colleagues, we uncovered the truth: the 632 tuners had a known flaw the manufacturer never publicly acknowledged. Meanwhile, HD2's natural advantage of a larger buffer (around 40 seconds in MP1 mode) provided greater resilience against minor data issues. This experience highlights a frustrating reality for US broadcasters—we're locked into proprietary HD radio technology when other countries enjoy open digital standards with multiple competing manufacturers driving innovation and affordability. Norway transitioned to fully digital radio back in 2017, while we're still troubleshooting proprietary equipment quirks. What HD radio equipment challenges have you faced? Have recommendations for reliable monitoring gear? Text us using the link in the show notes and share your experiences! 📚 Learn more: Learn more about HD Radio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio -------------------------------------- 🚨 New Bonus Episode! 🚨 Someone came at me online — and honestly? He wasn’t wrong. In this Fully Modulated mailbag episode, I dig into a spicy comment about EAS tones, what really triggers alert gear (spoiler: it’s not the tones), and why it’s so easy to get that part confused — even for us engineers. 🎙️ Need a voice tracker for your station? I’m Tyler — experienced in rock and classic hits, but open to other formats (no polka, thanks). Fast turnaround, easy to work with, and budget-friendly. Hit me up: tyler@fullymodulated.com Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
Engineers can finally study anywhere with SBE's new web-based certification tools 8:55

17 days ago8:55

8:55

Send me a text! Broadcast engineering certification just got a whole lot more accessible. The SBE has finally brought their CertPreview practice exams into the modern era with a completely web-based platform that eliminates the installation headaches and compatibility issues that plagued the previous system. As broadcast engineers, we're rarely in one place. We bounce between studios, transmitter sites, and remote locations, yet our professional development tools haven't kept pace with this reality—until now. The new browser-based CertPreview means you can study for your CBT, CBNT, CBRE, CSRE, or specialist certification from literally anywhere with an internet connection. Those late-night transmitter shifts or airport layovers just became valuable study time. This shift reflects a broader industry trend, with over 60% of engineers now preferring web-based training tools over traditional methods. It's about valuing your time and removing unnecessary barriers to professional advancement. The certification committee has recognized that if our automation systems, routers, and monitors have moved to browser-based interfaces, our study tools should too. The implications go beyond convenience. By making certification prep more accessible, the SBE is strengthening the future of our industry. Engineers no longer need to put off getting certified because the tools were cumbersome. Whether you're looking to break into the field, demonstrate your cross-disciplinary expertise, or secure that chief engineer position, the path to certification just got smoother. Ready to level up your broadcast engineering career? Check the links in our show notes for direct access to CertPreview, pricing details, and the full list of supported certifications. And if you've recently earned a certification, text me your study tips—I'd love to feature them in an upcoming episode. Your experience might be exactly what another engineer needs to hear. -------------------------------------- 📚 Learn more! SBE Certifications: https://sbe.org/certification/ -------------------------------------- 📲 Get in touch! Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
When Your Backup Plan Needs a Backup Plan: The Slow Death of a Generator 6:53

24 days ago6:53

6:53

Send me a text! There's a special kind of dread that comes with finding metal shavings in your generator's oil pan. That unmistakable sign of internal engine breakdown couldn't have come at a worse time for our critical broadcast site. The story of our Cummins 400kVA generator is one of changing technology and infrastructure planning challenges. Installed around 2002, this diesel workhorse was appropriately sized for an era of power-hungry tube transmitters that could each draw 30-50 kilowatts. Fast forward to today, and our modern solid-state equipment—a 32kW TV transmitter, two FM transmitters (18.5kW and 3.6kW), and a 1kW NOAA weather radio transmitter—barely scratches the surface of what this generator was designed to handle. Our monthly power consumption rarely exceeds 200 kilowatt hours, even in peak summer months. This mismatch creates a perfect storm when equipment failure looms. Do we rebuild this oversized dinosaur or replace it entirely? The economics favor replacement, but that means navigating a labyrinth of quotes, load calculations, site drawings, zoning approvals, and emergency contingency plans—all with a 6-12 month lead time hanging over our heads. Meanwhile, we're stuck in infrastructure limbo, hoping our metal-shedding generator keeps breathing long enough for procurement to work its magic. The stakes couldn't be higher: this site houses critical communications infrastructure serving entire communities with television, radio, weather alerts, and emergency communications. Have you ever faced a similar infrastructure challenge? Share your generator breakdown stories or replacement nightmares with me—the link to text me is in the episode notes. Until next time, stay redundant, stay resilient, and when your generator starts coughing, don't just turn up the radio to drown it out. Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
Free Software, Priceless Results: Essential Open Source Tools for Broadcast Engineers 9:19

4 weeks ago9:19

9:19

Send me a text! Dive into the world of free and open source software that's revolutionizing broadcast engineering! We're peeling back the curtain on the powerful tools that keep stations running without breaking the bank. The humble Linux penguin (affectionately known as Tux) might be the unsung hero of broadcasting. As Kirk Harnack perfectly put it, "Linux is the air you breathe in broadcasting. You may not always see it, but without it nothing moves." From remote transmitter sites to complex playout systems, this open source powerhouse runs approximately 90% of cloud infrastructure and serves as the foundation for tech from industry giants like Grass Valley, Telos, and Evertz. Monitoring doesn't have to cost a fortune either. We explore how LibreNMS , Grafana , and Zabbix provide enterprise-level visibility without the enterprise price tag. I share how these tools once helped me catch a transmitter cooling fan failure before catastrophe struck – saving thousands in potential equipment damage. For audio and video production, we delve into the surprising capabilities of Audacity , BUTT (Broadcast Using This Tool), OBS Studio , and the Jack Audio Connection Kit . These aren't just budget alternatives; they're powerful solutions that often outperform their expensive counterparts. Ready to level up your broadcast engineering game? Check out the resources mentioned in this episode to build your open source skills. And don't miss our next show where we'll tackle how cloud services are transforming remote broadcasting – for better and worse. Subscribe now to keep your signals clean, your mind open, and your config files backed up! ---------------------------------- 📚 Learn more! https://www.comptia.org/certifications/linux - CompTIA Linux+ https://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/linux - CBT Nuggets Linux Courses ---------------------------------- 💬 Get in touch! Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
From Engineers to Babysitters: How Corporate Consolidation Transformed Broadcast Technology 9:50

5 weeks ago9:50

9:50

Send me a text! Remember when your local TV station actually felt local? When engineers knew every inch of the equipment and could fix problems with a screwdriver instead of a help desk ticket? Those days are rapidly disappearing as corporate consolidation reshapes the broadcast landscape. The quiet revolution in local television has transformed independent stations into remote outposts of massive media conglomerates. Since 1995, we've witnessed a 40% drop in companies owning local stations while giants like Nexstar and Sinclair now control hundreds of stations across the country. This isn't just changing what viewers see – it's fundamentally altering how broadcast engineers work and what "local" television actually means. Today's broadcast engineers face a radically different reality. Instead of maintaining equipment they can touch, they're managing playout servers across multiple states, troubleshooting automation systems via VPN, and hoping their remote connections don't fail during breaking news. As legendary consultant Fred Baumgartner puts it, "We used to be engineers, now we're IT administrators with a broadcast badge." Technical staffing has been cut by 30% over the last decade, while the average engineer's workload has doubled. Meanwhile, nearly one in five TV markets has lost locally produced news entirely. But it's not all doom and gloom. The evolution has brought new challenges and technologies – IP systems, virtual machine playout, remote workflows – that push engineers to develop new skills. The question remains: are we empowering engineers to truly run these systems, or just babysit them? If you've lived through this transition, text me your experiences with the link in the episode description. Whether your story involves multimarket automation nightmares or MacGyver-level engineering solutions, I want to hear how you're keeping television signals flowing in this brave new world of consolidated broadcasting. Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
FEMA Restores Critical Funding for Public Broadcaster Safety Systems 5:35

7 weeks ago5:35

5:35

Send me a text! When disaster strikes, every second counts. Behind those emergency alerts that interrupt your favorite shows is critical infrastructure that saves lives — and it just got a major boost. FEMA has lifted a freeze on emergency alert grants for public broadcasters, releasing $9.6 million to 22 media organizations. For rural and remote areas, it’s the difference between getting life-saving warnings about wildfires or tornadoes — or being left in the dark. The freeze started earlier this year when FEMA paused funding needed to upgrade aging emergency systems. For small stations serving places like Alaska, rural Nevada, and tribal lands, these upgrades weren't luxuries — they were essential. As CPB put it: "Public media stations are a lifeline in emergencies." The funding, from FEMA's Homeland Security and Hazard Mitigation grants, will help stations finally install redundant systems, backup paths, and new alert tech. Those "annoying tests" you hear? They’re the backbone of real emergency response. --------------------------------------- 📚 Sources FEMA Lifts Its Hold on Warning System Grants – Radio World (Paul McLane) CPB Press Release: $9.6M in Grants to Rural Public Stations FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Overview (PDF) FEMA Homeland Security Grant Program Overview Axios Local: FEMA Funds Public Radio Upgrades Radio Ink: CPB Resumes Emergency Radio Grants After FEMA Hold Current: FEMA Lifts Hold on Next Generation Warning System Grants --------------------------------------- 💬 Get in touch! Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app —it really helps more people discover the show. You can also keep the conversation going by following me on Bluesky @fullymodulated.com , or shoot me an email anytime at tyler@fullymodulated.com . I’d love to hear from you.…

Fully Modulated

1
Public Access TV: When Everyone Had a Voice, Not Just a Channel 9:45

7 weeks ago9:45