• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • TV/Radio Deals
  • Film partnerships
  • New appointments
  • Production
  • TV Channels
Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

August 23, 2020
How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

May 20, 2025
Ad 1 Ad 3
How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

May 20, 2025
Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

May 20, 2025
The expanding role of AI in broadcast

The expanding role of AI in broadcast

May 20, 2025
Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

May 20, 2025
Sonos debuts in Saudi Arabia as headline sponsor of SLS Expo 2025

Sonos debuts in Saudi Arabia as headline sponsor of SLS Expo 2025

May 20, 2025
Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

May 20, 2025
TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

May 20, 2025
Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

May 20, 2025
Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

May 19, 2025
Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

May 19, 2025
Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

May 19, 2025
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Magazine Archive
  • Directory
  • Contact
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • Login
BroadcastPro ME
  • News
    • All
    • Analyst Reports
    • AV
    • Cinema Theatres
    • Esports
    • Film partnerships
    • International News
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • New appointments
    • OTT/Video Streaming
    • Podcasting
    • Production
    • Satellite/Comms
    • TV/Radio Deals
    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

    Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

    Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

    Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

    Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

    Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

    TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

    TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

    Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

    SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

    Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

    Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

    Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

    Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

    Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

    Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

    Trending Tags

    • broadcast
    • MENA broadcast
    • ConnecTech2019
  • Tech Features
    • All
    • CASE STUDIES
    • New Media
    • REVIEWS
    • TV/Radio Deals
    • Updates from FOMEX
    • Virtual Production Series
    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Media leaders embrace digital transformation

    Media leaders embrace digital transformation

    Broadcasting beyond borders

    Broadcasting beyond borders

    Trending Tags

    • Videos
      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Reema Omari

      Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

      Mustafa Afifi

      Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

      Don

      ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

      KSASummit

      Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

      The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

    • Opinion
      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

      Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

      Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

      Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

      Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

      Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

    • Interviews
      • All
      • Lounge
      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Shades of success

      Shades of success

      Navigating the news wave

      Navigating the news wave

      From archive to asset

      From archive to asset

      Clarity in motion

      Clarity in motion

      Using AI to keep history real

      Using AI to keep history real

    • Products
    • Magazine Archive
      • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
      • PRO Directory
    • Events
      • News from Events
      • Upcoming Events
      DICM

      DICM

      IBC Show

      IBC 2025

      MPTS

      CABSAT2025

      CABSAT2025

      NAB Show

    No Result
    View All Result
    BroadcastPro ME
    • News
      • All
      • Analyst Reports
      • AV
      • Cinema Theatres
      • Esports
      • Film partnerships
      • International News
      • Mergers/Acquisitions
      • New appointments
      • OTT/Video Streaming
      • Podcasting
      • Production
      • Satellite/Comms
      • TV/Radio Deals
      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

      Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

      SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

      Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

      Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

      Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

      Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      Trending Tags

      • broadcast
      • MENA broadcast
      • ConnecTech2019
    • Tech Features
      • All
      • CASE STUDIES
      • New Media
      • REVIEWS
      • TV/Radio Deals
      • Updates from FOMEX
      • Virtual Production Series
      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Media leaders embrace digital transformation

      Media leaders embrace digital transformation

      Broadcasting beyond borders

      Broadcasting beyond borders

      Trending Tags

      • Videos
        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Reema Omari

        Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

        Mustafa Afifi

        Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

        Don

        ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

        KSASummit

        Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

        The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

        The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

      • Opinion
        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

        Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

        Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

        Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

        Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

        Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

      • Interviews
        • All
        • Lounge
        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Shades of success

        Shades of success

        Navigating the news wave

        Navigating the news wave

        From archive to asset

        From archive to asset

        Clarity in motion

        Clarity in motion

        Using AI to keep history real

        Using AI to keep history real

      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events
        • News from Events
        • Upcoming Events
        DICM

        DICM

        IBC Show

        IBC 2025

        MPTS

        CABSAT2025

        CABSAT2025

        NAB Show

      No Result
      View All Result
      BroadcastPro ME
      No Result
      View All Result
      AMT Ad SimplyLive Ad ibc Ad Rossvideo Ad
      Home Opinion

      Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

      Guest Columnist by Guest Columnist
      August 23, 2020
      in Opinion
      Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?
      ShareTweetPostEmail

      “While everyone gets into firefighting mode when problems arise, as a regional industry, we have collectively failed to learn any lessons from past instances,” says Hasan Sayed Hasan of Master Media.

      Hasan R. Sayed Hasan is Managing Director of Master Media, and Chairman of the Arab HDTV and Beyond Group.

      Nine years ago, I wrote an article in BroadcastPro ME on “Failing to Prepare: Preparing to Fail”, where I expressed alarm at the lack of Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) measures at regional broadcast facilities should a crisis hit. Nine year later, tragically, many regional broadcasters are still struggling with pretty much the same issues and the truth is they could have been better prepared this time.

      No more than a handful of broadcasters in the whole MENA region had any BC plans in place for a time such as this and even in those cases, they were limited to certain aspects of their operations. They are typically for backup channels playout, keeping some evergreen material running off a remote server with a basic logo bug until they figure out a solution to their problem.

      While some risk scenarios can easily be anticipated, choices were made not to address them. There will be technical failures of broadcast equipment and power supplies, cyber or physical attacks on broadcasting facilities, telecom and satellite network outages, or natural disasters such as floods or lightning. We have had many incidents over the years impact regional broadcasters and production facilities, both national and commercial, large and small. While everyone gets into firefighting mode when such problems arise, as a regional industry, we have collectively failed to learn any lessons from past instances.

      Who, then, is responsible for forecasting and preparing for such events or scenarios? Is it a failure from the technical teams who are typically tasked with initiating new technology investments, budget requests, and requirement specifications? Is it in the finance departments who tend naturally to resist “unnecessary” costs and investments? Or is it the top management’s indecisiveness?

      In most cases, we have seen a collective management failure to decide which investments and planning activities should be on their priority lists. Usually, short-to-medium-term projects gain priority over strategic long-term ones, and often, DR and BC plans, and investments in them, are on the bottom of such lists. They do emerge to the surface occasionally when an incident occurs at a broadcaster’s facility, but they quickly plunge back down to the “nice-to-have” list.

      An open and honest discussion needs to take place about what a broadcast or production facility’s risk-management priorities should be, and funds should be allocated to address these elements.

      Middle- and top-tier broadcasters do spend considerable time, effort, and budgets on fully-redundant production and broadcasting facilities with the infamous target of “No Single Point of Failure”. But they often fail to spend a fraction of that effort and investment in complementing them with DR facilities and capabilities and BC plans, or updating their teams on how to maximise the potential of those investments.

      We have been recently involved in a number broadcast projects where we discovered that even when the implemented facilities’ designs had sufficient resilience, redundancy, and backup features, no documented procedures were available for operators and engineers to activate backup and DR scenarios. Although such documentation and procedures were well developed at the time new systems were procured and installed, they are never reviewed, updated, refreshed, or rehearsed. In some cases, we discovered that new staff did not even know that such documents and procedures existed.

      One could argue that current disruptions and challenges could never have been anticipated, but this is not true. If a broadcaster had BC plans to mitigate risks caused by not being able to access their facilities because of a natural disaster or a strike, then such plans could be activated and adapted to operate within the restrictions caused by the pandemic to comply with authorities’ or self-imposed requirements of reduced on-premises staff.

      Today’s challenge offers yet another opportunity for broadcasters to prepare themselves for multiple scenarios. They should look at best practices within DR and BC and see how they can be potentially adapted to different situations.

      DR and BC plans should be on our top priorities’ list, and we should vociferously advocate with the decision-makers to ensure that this is part of the 2021 budget. Otherwise, we are preparing to fail yet again.

      Tags: broadcastersBusiness ContinuityDisaster Recoveryfeaturedpostopinion

      Related Posts

      No Content Available

      Related News

      More Related News

      BroadcastPro ME

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Magazine Archive
      • Directory
      • Contact
      • Privacy

      Follow us on Social Media

      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Tech Features
      • Videos
      • Opinion
      • Interviews
      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms bellow to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In