How the Media Industry has Changed
When we're not out consulting with our wonderful clients; our time as Connect consultants involves creating content for our programs and our much-loved newsletter. My' tales from the media piece' this week arose from a conversation we had about making a video for our newsletter. The plan is to do a 'walk and talk' on Victoria Peak talking about our services using a smart phone only! Yes, in 2026, one simply needs a small phone to create a beautifully edited short feature.
This particular office meeting and talking about this short video prompted me to think about how much the media industry (and especially production) has changed since I started broadcasting in the 90's. During that period, production resources were finite. Studio times were booked weeks in advance. If I was in London and wishing to interview a writer in Scotland I would have to book both studio times way before the recording. I also recall going into editing suites with specialized expensive equipment to do voice ovesr for TV shows I presented. Days on end of sitting in a dark box with an editor next door matching my voice to the visuals. Now these voice overs can literally be done in a heartbeat over the phone!
Today production operates in an environment of near total abundance. Digital storage is practically limitless and the cost of recording has collapsed. A smartphone now rivals and in some cases exceeds the technical capabilities of traditional broadcast equipment. Where once crews were essential, now individuals can shoot edit and publish from a single device; as we do at Connect!
Ultimately, broadcasting roles have changed entirely. As a young presenter in my first TV job for BBC Wales, I was expected to research, write and present my own material to the camera. However I would have a director, producer and editor to perfect the feature. Now producers are expected to shoot, edit,write and distribute their material. Journalists must think digitally and not just editorially. These roles are now all totally hybrid.
One of the most subtle shifts is audience expectations. Traditional broadcasting prioritized technical excellence - clean audio, stable visuals, polished editing. While these still matter, audiences increasingly value immediacy and authenticity. It needs to look raw and authentic ... values we embody at Connect!
A slightly shaky, quickly produced clip can outperform a meticulously crafted package and it often feels more real or timely. For someone such as myself who started my career in the era of traditional broadcasting this new landscape can feel both liberating and disheartening. Yet ultimately at its core, the objective remains the same: to tell stories that inform, engage and resonate. Back to the I phone for me!
