This from PAN reader Matt Reynolds, Senior Sales Researcher, at Sky Clip Sales who has penned an article covering why digitisation matters at the Sky Media footage provider providing Sky News, Sky Sports, and Sky Originals content
Preserving the Past, For the Future: The Importance of Digitisation
In an era where content is more accessible than ever, the importance of digitisation cannot be overstated.
From historic news events to iconic sporting moments and groundbreaking entertainment programmes, archive footage serves as a vital resource for storytellers, researchers, and media professionals. At Sky Clip Sales, we are committed to preserving these moments by transforming physical content into high-quality digital assets – ensuring they remain accessible for generations to come.
Why Digitisation Matters
For decades, media was stored on physical formats – tapes, film reels, and cassettes. While these formats were essential for broadcasting at the time, they came with significant limitations:
• Degradation – Physical media deteriorates over time, putting valuable content at risk of being lost forever.
• Limited Accessibility – Retrieving footage from physical archives, sometimes miles away in deep storage, is time consuming and inefficient.
• Fragility – Tapes can be damaged, lost or become unplayable due to outdated technology.
By digitising our vast collection, we are not just preserving history – we are making it instantly searchable, shareable, and available for future storytelling.
The Digitisation Process: More Than Just Pressing Play
At Sky, digitisation is a meticulous process designed to ensure the highest quality output. Here’s how we do it:
1. Tape Preparation & Cleaning – Before digitisation, tapes are inspected and cleaned to prevent data loss.
2. Metadata Transfer – Key details such as shot lists, descriptions, and rights information are meticulously checked and logged.
3. High-Resolution Conversion – Footage is digitised at industry standard resolutions to maintain quality and longevity.
4. Quality Control (QC) Checks – The footage goes through rigorous QC to ensure accuracy and quality.
5. Secure Storage & Accessibility – Once digitised, content is stored securely and made available for broadcast use and licensing.
Challenges & Solutions
Digitising an archive that holds thousands of hours of footage is a meticulous process. Some of the key challenges include:
• Format Compatibility – Working with legacy formats that require specialised equipment.
• Data Storage & Management – Ensuring digital files are properly categorised, stored, and securely archived.
• Time-Intensive Process – Digitisation takes time, requiring careful handling to maintain quality.
To address these challenges, we have invested in the latest technology, expert curation, and efficient workflows, allowing us to bring archival footage into the digital age without compromising quality.
The Impact of a Digital Archive
For content creators, researchers, and media professionals, a digital archive means:
• Faster Access – No more searching through physical tapes, just search and retrieve in seconds.
• Higher Quality Footage – Enhanced resolution and preservation ensure footage looks its best.
• Seamless Licensing – Instant delivery of high-resolution masters to meet production deadlines.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Our Archive
We’ve already made significant progress in digitising Sky News, Sky Sports, and Sky Originals content – but there’s still more to come! With thousands more tapes still to be converted, we are constantly evolving our processes to ensure efficiency and accessibility.
Ready to Bring Your Story to Life?
Whether you’re creating a documentary, a feature film, or a news piece, our extensive archive is here to help. With decades of expertly curated footage from Sky News, Sky Sports, and Sky Originals, we’re ready to support your next project.
To explore how we can collaborate and provide the content you need. Email us at [email protected] ‘Let’s create something remarkable together.’
Related: Posted in 2022 PAN Report: Sky News Archive Digitisation – The Story So Far….