In broadcast engineering, broadcast automation is the use of technology to automate broadcasting operations. Used either at a station or a network, it is used to run a facility in the absence of a human operator. They can also run in a "live assist" mode when there are on-air personnel present in the studio.

The transmitter end of the airchain is handled with a separate automatic transmission system (ATS).

History

Originally, many (if not most) radio licensing authorities required a licensed operator to run every station at all times, meaning that every DJ had to take an exam and pass it to be on-air. Gradually, the quality and reliability of electronic equipment improved, regulations were relaxed, and only a single operator had to be present (or at least available) while a station was operating — mainly to monitor the transmitter. This led a slow march toward automation, to help supplement (and now in many cases supplant) the live on-air talent.

Early analog systems

Early systems used magnetic tapes (carts, short for cartridges), and large machines that moved them around a carousel into one or two tape players . Shorter periods could also be recorded on reel-to-reel.

Modern digital systems

Modern systems typically run on hard disk, where all of the music, jingles, advertisements, voice tracks, and other announcements are stored. These computer files may be either compressed or uncompressed, or often with only minimal compression as a compromise.

Scheduling was an important advance of these systems, allowing for exact timing. Some systems use GPS satellite receivers to obtain exact atomic time, for perfect synchronization with satellite-delivered programming.

Automation systems are also now more interactive than ever with digital mixing consoles, and can even record from a telephone hybrid to play back an edited conversation with a telephone caller.

The simplest arrangements can even be done on software as basic as Winamp.

Consequences

The consequences of automation in broadcasting have been both good and bad. While it allows shows to be run very smoothly and professionally, it has also led radio to become less personalized, particularly in the United States. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 flung the door wide open, allowing almost total consolidation of the industry there, and leading to massive cumulative layoffs exceeding 10,000 workers. This has left many stations with almost no staff, except to sell advertising.

On the upside, many college radio stations depend on automation to fill-in during breaks and overnight, when they previously went off the air.