Virginia Public Media - Broadcast Management Group

Executive Summary

Virginia Public Media (VPM), the PBS and NPR affiliate serving the Richmond region, partnered with Broadcast Management Group (BMG) to design, build, and manage a next-generation broadcast facility supporting its television, radio, and digital operations. As VPM moves into a new downtown headquarters, BMG is delivering complete consulting, system integration, and managed services—spanning from initial design and construction to complete media asset management (MAM) hosted in the BMG Cloud Control Center™. The project represents a new standard for regional public media infrastructure: cloud-connected, future-ready, and built for 24/7 operations.

Background / Challenge

VPM sought to replace its aging 66-year-old broadcast infrastructure with a state-of-the-art media facility designed to serve its audiences across television, radio, and digital platforms. The new headquarters would need to combine traditional studio operations with modern cloud-based systems, ensuring flexibility for future growth and operational efficiency.

To meet these goals, VPM required an experienced technical partner capable of managing every stage—from consulting and design to engineering, training, and ongoing support—while ensuring seamless integration with PBS systems and network standards.

BMG Engagement by Phase

1. Consulting

BMG began its engagement at the earliest planning stage, serving as a technical consultant and systems designer throughout construction.

Worked alongside the architectural and construction teams to define space layouts, equipment requirements, and production workflows.
Created high-level technology roadmaps for both TV and radio operations.
Developed long-term scalability plans for future digital and OTT expansion.

2. Facility Design and Build (In progress)

Once design planning was complete, BMG transitioned into the engineering and integration phase.

Designed and installed a Master Control system capable of managing 15 distinct television feeds, each with unique branding and audio configurations.
Built two fully equipped television studios, associated control rooms, and audio suites.
Constructed two radio master control rooms and two additional podcast studios that can also function as radio studios.
Installed three edit bays, a postproduction suite, and a dedicated media ingest room.
Implemented advanced routing infrastructure connecting all production positions to a centralized core for maximum flexibility and collaboration.

3. Creative Services

BMG supported the facility’s creative and operational vision through the design and layout of production environments.

Designed control rooms, studio layouts, and monitor walls for both form and function.
Ensured consistent visual branding and ergonomic workflows across all media spaces.
Integrated LED and lighting systems tailored for live and recorded broadcast content.

4. Staffing, Daily Operations, and Engineering Support

As part of the ongoing engagement, BMG provides long-term operational and technical support.

Delivers augmented master control staffing and remote oversight from BMG’s Network Operations Center.
Offers continued training and documentation for VPM staff.
Provides system monitoring, software updates, and remote engineering support.

5. Scale Operations

VPM’s new media center is designed for long-term growth, powered by BMG’s cloud-connected backbone.

Implemented a Media Asset Management (MAM) system hosted in the BMG Cloud Control Center™ for secure archiving, retrieval, and collaboration.
Designed IT infrastructure with redundant dark fiber for transmission continuity and disaster recovery.
Future-proofs the entire facility for integration with cloud-based workflows and remote operations.

Results / Impact

Through BMG’s turnkey managed services, VPM is building one of the most advanced public media facilities in the U.S.

Unified TV, radio, podcast, and digital operations under one modern infrastructure.
Seamlessly integrated cloud and on-prem workflows for flexibility and scale.
Established a sustainable, efficient system design supporting local and statewide programming.
Empowered internal teams through training, documentation, and remote operational support.
Delivered a facility capable of serving the Richmond community for decades to come.

Deliverables

End-to-end turnkey managed services partnership for a new broadcast television and radio network facility.
End-to-end turnkey managed services partnership for a new broadcast television and radio network facility.
Facility design and build for television, radio, and podcast studios.

Master Control system for managing 15 unique television feeds.
Media Asset Management (MAM) system hosted in the BMG Cloud Control Center™.
IT infrastructure design, connectivity, and dark fiber installation.

Staff training, documentation, and ongoing support.
Augmented master control and operational oversight from BMG’s Network Operations Center.