Is anyone in public broadcasting actually doing DAM?
Public broadcasting already has asset management systems of sorts–notebooks, tape libraries, edit lists, traffic software and even some databases. But these repositories of data aren’t remotely integrated or accessible: they do not allow media to flow seamlessly throughout a station, let alone from Macs to PCs, out through e-mail to constituents and customers. You may already have the appropriate technology for retrieval and use of digital media sitting on your desk in the form of a PC, but that dream scenario of flowing content can only work if there are agreed-upon metadata standards so that all parts understand each other. The bottom line: You need a metadata standard to make DAM work. The first major DAM initiatives in public television are taking place at major producing stations–notably WGBH, with 160,000 hours of program assets–and at stations with university connections that are encouraging content integration, such as Wisconsin PTV and KUED in Salt Lake City. South Carolina
