Transforming Broadcast Operations: Qligent's Solution at Georgia Public Broadcasting

Challenge: Aging Infrastructure and Monitoring Gaps

Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), with its network of 9 TV stations and 4 translators, faced a critical challenge. The existing equipment, reaching the end of its service life, lacked replacement options from the vendor, leaving GPB in need of a comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS), Quality of Experience (QoE), and compliance monitoring solution. Their hub-and-spoke architecture, coupled with the necessity for detailed data analysis and alerts at each location, required a top-level system for effective monitoring.

Why Qligent: Streamlined Solution for Rapid Decision-Making

In the search for a solution, GPB turned to Qligent. The choice was clear—Qligent offered a streamlined solution with an essential interface, providing confidence recordings and alarming for both technical and operational teams. The platform's local probes, capable of alerting on a wide range of variables, and an aggregated control server appealed to GPB's unique use case. The simplicity of the web interface, with customizable options for each user account, allowed teams to fine-tune data and focus on critical parameters. Qligent and GPB teams worked closely to define the final solution to meet GPB needs.

Results: Enhanced Troubleshooting, Reduced Downtime

The implementation of Qligent Vision™ yielded meaningful results for GPB allowing them to operate more efficiently and with greater operational insight. Qligent alarms provided a clearer picture of on-air issues, becoming the go-to platform for engineering teams during troubleshooting events. The browser-based nature of the system enabled field and on-call engineers to access the system from anywhere, allowing critical input from staff and ensuring quick responses. Qligent proved instrumental in minimizing downtime, allowing GPB to detect and address issues faster than with previous systems. The recorded video features facilitated in-depth analysis and trend tracking, contributing to overall operational efficiency.

Unique Uses and Future Expansion

GPB's innovative approach extended beyond TV stations to include 30 FM radio stations. Qligent's flexibility allowed GPB to monitor both TV and FM signals, laying the foundation for a comprehensive, single-pane-of-glass solution for the entire broadcast network. The early success of incorporating FM monitoring has spurred further exploration, with plans to enhance monitoring of FM via IP streams and video IP streams. The ability to easily download and share clips, graphs, and data has strengthened collaborations with other broadcast providers, highlighting GPB's commitment to signal integrity.

In conclusion, Qligent has not only addressed GPB's immediate monitoring needs but has also become a catalyst for ongoing innovations and improvements in their broadcast operations.

About Georgia Public Broadcasting

Our Mission

To create, produce and distribute high quality programs and services that educate, inform, and entertain our audiences and enrich the quality of their lives.

Our Family

TELEVISION

Georgia Public Broadcasting's nine public television stations deliver quality PBS and locally produced programming to every county in Georgia, and to significant portions of surrounding states.

RADIO

GPB is a listener-supported public radio network serving Georgia with NPR news and information along with a variety of music.

EDUCATION

GPB Education is Georgia’s digital media content provider for the classroom offering locally produced, Georgia-specific content and digital streaming services across all subject areas to teachers and students. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of the digital learning movement by creating, curating, and distributing quality educational programs and services through our state-of-the-art production facility, cutting edge digital media division, and our partnership with PBS Learning Media. GPB Education also provides training for Georgia's educators and educational institutions.

About Qligent

Qligent provides comprehensive monitoring and analysis solutions to empower broadcasters and content providers with insights, efficiency, and confidence to make critical business decisions in an evolving media market. Qligent’s innovative software and cloud service technologies enable content distributors to meet internal and external standards from origination to the consumer ensuring the highest quality of experience.

Qligent’s Vision™ products have been recognized with multiple awards for their innovation, efficiency, and performance in serving the industry. Based in Melbourne, Florida, Qligent has more than 20 years of experience monitoring and assuring quality of distribution for thousands of channels in thousands of locations worldwide.

Contributors

Taylor Klotz, GPB Vice President of Technology

Chris Taylor, GPB Senior Director of Engineering

John Shoemaker, Qligent Director of Sales

Todd Hinton, Qligent Project Manager