A standby channel, ready for the bad day
Keep a ready-to-start copy in the cloud, so a failure in your main chain does not mean silence for viewers.
Plan for the day you hope never comes
Most broadcasters have a backup plan, and many rely on a second set of equipment that is costly to buy, house and keep current. The risk is that the backup is the last thing tested and the first thing to fail.
A cloud standby exists as settings and content in the cloud, costs little while idle and can be started when needed.
Four parts of a standby channel
Mirrored content
A copy of key programming and fillers.
Matching schedule
The same line-up, so the standby can pick up at the right place.
Switch-over
Point your distribution at the standby if the main chain fails.
Regular testing
Run it on a calendar and confirm it works.
Writing the plan
- Rank your channels, and note the least content each one needs.
- Decide how long each could be off air before it hurts audience, sponsors or public trust.
- Mirror the essentials and agree how schedule updates reach the standby.
- Write down who decides to switch, how it is done and how long it takes. Keep the steps short enough for someone tired at night.
- Rehearse switching to the standby and back, and update it after every change to the main chain.
Questions to settle
Often, because you do not buy or house a second set of equipment. We will scope the standby for your channel so you can compare it with your current plan.
Yes. You can move to the standby while you work on your main chain.
You can do it yourself, or ask our team to help. Who does what is agreed in advance, and rehearsed.