Broadcast Media: The Inside Track – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode 8, Ben reflects on a jam-packed Week 4 of the Berkeley ExecEd course — covering computer vision, NLP, and two practical assignments. Joined by HAIley, he breaks down image labelling tests, language model insights, and his visit to the Media Tech Show in London. Plus, plans for hands-on collaboration during Lab Week. AI’s not just theory anymore — it’s hitting the production floor.

In Episode 7, Ben explores neural networks and deep learning from Week 3 of his Berkeley ExecEd journey. Joined by co-host HAIley, he unpacks classification vs regression, loss functions, and adversarial inputs — and shares his real-world experiment using Google’s Teachable Machine on his podcast audio archive. The episode highlights how training data, error penalties, and robustness all shape effective AI models in the real world.

🎙️ Series 3 is here! 🚀

The broadcast media industry is evolving faster than ever, and we’re back with a brand-new season of Ancast’s Podcast: The Broadcast Media – Inside Track to bring you exclusive insights from the experts shaping its future.

In this upcoming season, we dive into:

✅ The latest trends and innovations in media and broadcasting

✅ Behind-the-scenes industry secrets from top professionals

✅ Practical advice for aspiring and seasoned broadcasters alike

Whether you’re a media professional, content creator, or just curious about the future of broadcasting, this season has something for you! 🎧

👉 Subscribe now and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of broadcast media.

🎬 Visit ancast.tv for updates, bonus content, and more!

#Podcast #BroadcastMedia #InsideTrack #NewSeason #SubscribeNow

So during lockdown I worked with a lifelong friend, a musician Tom Southerton who’s now based in Japan, to develop a podcast. I wanted to turn the tables and get me to talk a little bit more in depth about the importance of the broadcast network of connections.

It was great to talk with a few consultants from the Hawk network throughout the series and discover what their projects were like. As this is the broadcast network series I also liked getting guests from more obscure or leftfield areas too.

You can find out more by going to www.linkedin.com/company/ancast/ or https://www.hawkmediapartnership.com/team_member/ben-anchor/

Sneak preview Audiogram: https://share.descript.com/view/J21YyJ6ad49

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. How Ben has developed his broadcast network over the years
2. How was the process authoring books in different formats
3. What makes you happy with the work that you do and why

If you found this episode useful and want to hear other stories check out the series and subscribe, there are even plans for an audiobook so keep tuned in!

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

Ben

More from host Ben:

I have been working at the 'hard end' of broadcast independently for many years, if there's a major transformation or project needing a specialist - this is where I shine. A big fan of cloud, DevOps and agile methods - I like having enough technical grounding and balance it with communicating with people - of all levels.

It all started working in production and editing videos on a laptop to now helping deliver huge complex broadcast projects where I can turn up and not be phased by any of it - let me work with the team and get on with delivering it without supervision. You will see from my track record all of this and when you meet me I like to build up trust and demonstrate this by attention to detail, honesty and big picture mentality.

In my spare time I love culture, like to travel and explore where I can improve my photography hobby - also like to get involved in charity fundraising. If you want to reach out feel free to send me a connection here and we can talk.

Specialities - project management, business analyst, media solutions engineering, workflow specialist, technical consultant, agile, facilitation, training

Me and Angus go way back and was one of my first senior managers I sort of got on with really, he has time for anyone and thought he would be a great guest. His expansion of Hawk has been incredible especially over the last year and fascinating to find out what’s behind it all.

It was great to find out that Angus has also spent some of his career in satellite, radio and the European space agency - giving weight to finding your ideal role!

You can find out more by going to www.hawkmediapartnership.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/angusblackwood/

Sneak preview Audiogram: https://share.descript.com/view/mLl7AMDDvAb

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. The story of Angus from starting 1985 to forming Hawk
2. Talk through the different skill sets and project types
3. Explaining the value of the consultants network

If you found this episode useful and want to hear other stories check out the series and subscribe, there are even plans for an audiobook so keep tuned in!

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

Ben

More from guest Angus:

I founded The Hawk Media Partnership to meet the needs of broadcast and media companies looking for a one stop shop in technical consultancy.

Broadcast & media is undergoing extraordinary change. Conventional linear TV is giving way to radical new models of media delivery. New players like Netflix, Amazon and Apple are pumping millions into production and rights acquisition. DAZN is on the warpath. Will BBC Match of the Day, which began in 1964, still have an audience in 2024?

These monumental changes, coupled with intense competition for eyeballs, mean that broadcasters and their suppliers need to be able to deliver media to consumers better than ever before - faultlessly, seamlessly and efficiently.

Through a mutual friend and someone I’d done a show with previously it was a recommendation - Amber was keen to do a show and I had a slot left.

I’d always wanted to find out what apprenticeships were like and how the mentoree support was like with Rise - Amber even recognised a few previous guests!

You can find out more by going to https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-holbrook-721284a4/

Sneak preview Audiogram: https://share.descript.com/view/w4MtMzljoq9

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. Studying a higher apprenticeship with the BBC in Broadcast Engineering
2. From 1st Line Broadcast Support Engineer for 4 years, to the most recent transition into a Proposals Engineer
3. Working in a male dominated industry and being part of the RISE project as a mentoree

If you found this episode useful and want to hear other stories check out the series and subscribe, there are even plans for an audiobook so keep tuned in!

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

I’ve known most of the panel members for as long as I’ve been going to the IBC show, some as independents, some with their companies but all sharing the same camaraderie. And as were in the festive period me and some of the panel spruced up with hats and Christmas jumpers!

I wanted to host a live podcast on the eve of 'IBC 2021'. Streaming to LinkedIn which was one thing I’d always wanted to do. I'm keen to get some industry folks together and talk about the 2nd show in a row cancelled, the advent of IBC Digital and other topics related to the show.

You can find out more about the IBC show by going to https://show.ibc.org/

Sneak preview Audiogram podcast: https://share.descript.com/view/dt6RcZmQaDb

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. Introductions and show of hands how long you've been going to the show
2. If you were attending in-person this year what would you be looking for?
3. Panel: What is the view on virtualizing the show and the IBC Digital platform
4. Recollections of memorable moments from previous years - any stories to tell.
5. Panel: Future direction of trade shows - less of them? more networking?
6. IBC Quiz - quick fire round and wrap up.

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

More on our panel guests:

Paul Markham:

I've done software, hardware, infrastructure, networks, web, cloud, security, audio, video and broadcast technologies. I've managed teams, recruited teams, performance managed and handled redundancies. I took the ITIL foundation exam and got only one answer wrong. I've worked on business cases, led workshops, solved awkward problems and generally tried to bridge the gaps between technology, business and people to get to the real initiatives that can make things better.

Tony Dotchin:

Prince 2 and Agile qualified Project Manager with a proven track record of delivering complex and diverse projects.

Experienced in design and delivery of contribution events using technical and operational knowledge to create robust and innovative delivery mechanisms and operational solutions for sports broadcasting. Extensive experience on DTT and DTH platforms. Former REME avionics technician.

Jonathan Marshall

Whether in his earlier role in BBC R&D or latterly in commercial innovation, Jonathan has played a key role in the invention and dissemination of many of the interactive technologies we now take for granted - Red button TV, hybrid TV (internet + broadcast) and integration of programming with Social networks and online trends. To do so has required a leading level of creative and truly multidisciplinary understanding and vision, working with other visionaries, writers, programme makers, technologists and broadcasters. The result of his work has been to significantly extend the reach and possibility of the creative industries in both broadcast and online environments.

Phil Hodgetts:

I partner with broadcasters and telecommunications companies across Europe to scale their flexible workforce in-line with delivery needs. My role is to work closely with various client stakeholders to scope requirements of unique and complex technology programmes, understand what skills are required and deliver those skills from Caspian One's Partnered Network of Associates.

I’d met Jeremy working on related projects in the industry, it was only after he became one of the network of Hawk consultants that I really understood what makes him tick. It was interesting to hear from someone who’s been around the block and likes the smaller broadcasters and companies now.

Who knew that Jeremy was once a TV presenter, he comes from the creative and post-production side of broadcast and now finds himself deep in the technology now.

You can find out more by going to: www.hawkmediapartnership.com/team_member/jeremy-smith/

Sneak preview Audiogram: https://share.descript.com/view/elto6g2EaUp

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. Where it all started and how he got into broadcast projects
2. The differences between large corporate and small scale companies
3. What it’s like becoming a consultant within a partner network

If you found this episode useful and want to hear other stories check out the series and subscribe, there are even plans for an audiobook so keep tuned in!

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

Ben

More from guest Jeremy:

With more than 25 years’ experience in broadcast television operations and programme-making, I offer unique leadership for hard-working teams, provide structure to complicated activities and solve knotty problems in pressured and dynamic environments to deliver efficiencies and clever solutions.

A hybrid background leading operational and technical teams for large and small businesses in the television industry together with experience writing, directing and editing programmes for ITV and BBC helps me bridge gaps of understanding between creative and operational parts of businesses.

Having put out another guest slot post wondering who may respond I was interested in Priyanka’s response as she is in social media software. My take on it was is it part of broadcast media and how it has evolved with the younger generations.

It was my first 3 shot interview with Priyanka and co-founder Shannon both taking part, it was fascinating hearing the Volv story and how they fit into this new eco-system of news consumption.

You can find out more by going to https://volvmedia.com/ or LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/volvmedia/

Sneak preview Audiogram: https://share.descript.com/view/0Y56tDomDX2

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. How people’s perception of content has changed over the years
2. By redefining the news how Volv fits in with today's generation
3. What they look for in people they hire and their news app workflows

If you found this bonus episode useful and want to hear other stories check out the series and subscribe, there are even plans for an audiobook so keep tuned in!

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

Ben

More from guests Shannon & Priyanka:

Our founders Shannon Almeida and Priyanka Vazirani reimagined the news after they personally witnessed the jarring implications of biased news while working on a social campaign for their first startup. Now, they are taking on the media industry as a whole by solving its three main challenges - reader's declining attention span, information overload, and most importantly, media bias - in an easy, approachable manner.

I’ve known Kim for many years and always been a friendly outgoing type in the industry so I directly messaged her and invited her on the show. Glad she was able to impart some of her insights into acquiring skills in the industry and what it’s like to move on.

Kim explains her early days and the fact that commercials were mastered on tape and couriered around to the broadcast facilities. Also little known fact is her candle making side hobby!

You can find out more by going to www.pmi.org or www.linkedin.com/in/kim-j-billings/

Sneak preview Audiogram: https://share.descript.com/view/MXCNhO5ha49

During the episode we go through some talking points:

1. Takes us through the early days and recognising opportunities
2. Offering project management experience for newcomers
3. What it’s like to move industry and take those skills with you

If you found this episode useful and want to hear other stories check out the series and subscribe, there are even plans for an audiobook so keep tuned in!

For more information about the host and additional offerings head over to ancast.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

Ben

More from guest Kim:

A results-oriented Senior Manager, relied upon to lead digital transformation and innovatory business change. Leading programs to support the strategic direction of the business and achieve organisational goals. A pragmatic and methodical approach; leading by example, encouraging cross-vertical synergies and departmental collaboration to ensure continuous improvement. My greatest satisfaction comes from coaching and mentoring staff to develop their careers and grow their sphere of influence.

https://share.descript.com/view/MXCNhO5ha49

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