The verdict in three sentences
For a London broadcaster airing 24 hours a day with 3,000 titles in its catalogue, the main risk is out-of-rights transmission: a series aired after its licence expires or on a platform the contract does not cover. Custom software linking territorial rights windows, the programme schedule and the ad log costs between GBP 60,000 and 110,000. The project takes 5 months and pays for itself through avoided penalties and better ad break yield.
The problem: rights in spreadsheets, a schedule built elsewhere
The director of programming juggles acquisition contracts for series, films, dramas and documentaries, each with its own terms: number of runs, licence period, territories (UK only, UK and Ireland, satellite footprint), exclusivity or not. This lives in a spreadsheet, while the schedule is built in another tool. A scheduler swapping a slot at the last minute cannot see that the title has used up its 4 runs.
| Risk | Estimated frequency | Potential cost 2026 | Software control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs beyond licensed number | 2 to 4 cases a year | GBP 2,000 to 8,000 per case | Blocking run counter |
| Transmission after expiry | 1 to 3 cases a year | Penalty and distributor dispute | Alert at D-60 and schedule block |
| Uncovered territory or platform | Variable | Possible contract termination | Check by platform and territory |
| Rights bought but never aired | 10 to 15 % of catalogue | Wasted investment | Under-used titles report |
| Poorly placed ad breaks | Daily | 5 to 8 % lost revenue | Ad log linked to the schedule |
| Manual transmission certificates | Monthly | 3 working days a month | Automatic generation for advertisers |
Modules and budget
| Module | Scope | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Catalogue and contracts | Title records, contracts, rights holders, attachments | GBP 10,000 to 18,000 |
| Rights windows | Periods, runs, territories, platforms (DTT, satellite, catch-up) | GBP 12,000 to 22,000 |
| Programme schedule | Drag-and-drop build, real-time checks | GBP 14,000 to 26,000 |
| Ad log | Breaks, spots, rates, export to playout | GBP 12,000 to 22,000 |
| Alerts and reports | Expiries, under-used titles, advertiser certificates | GBP 6,000 to 11,000 |
| Integrations | Playout automation, accounting, catch-up site | GBP 6,000 to 11,000 |
| Total | Delivered in 5 months | GBP 60,000 to 110,000 |
Enterprise rights and scheduling suites are built for large groups and often cost more than GBP 50,000 a year, with long implementations and features a mid-sized channel never uses. Custom software fits your exact workflow, Ofcom reporting needs and ad sales organisation.
How the software fits into the transmission flow
The scheduler builds the week in the schedule. Each time a title is dropped in, the software checks remaining runs and transmission territory: a red flag blocks sign-off if a condition is not met. Ad sales then place spots in the breaks, with automatic revenue calculation per daypart. The approved schedule is exported to the playout system, and transmission certificates are generated for each advertiser. The run count updates with every actual transmission.
Mini case study
James, director of programming at an independent London channel, manages 3,000 titles. Last year, 3 out-of-rights transmissions cost GBP 15,000 in penalties. The software eliminates them. By linking the ad log to the schedule, ad sales optimise breaks and gain 5 % on GBP 2.4 million of ad revenue, or GBP 120,000. The team also saves 3 days a month on certificates. For a GBP 95,000 project and GBP 12,000 annual maintenance, payback comes in around 9 months.
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FAQ
Does the software replace the playout system?
No. It prepares the schedule and ad log, then exports them to your existing playout system in the expected format. This integration usually costs GBP 6,000 to 11,000.
Can it handle catch-up and social media rights?
Yes, each platform (DTT, satellite, catch-up, YouTube) has its own windows. A title can be cleared for linear but barred from catch-up, and the software flags it.
How long does it take to load the existing catalogue?
For 3,000 titles, plan 4 to 6 weeks of data entry and contract checks. We provide an import template that cuts this work by about 50 %.
Does it help with regulatory quotas?
Yes, a report calculates the share of original and European programming aired per period. It simplifies the returns required by Ofcom.
Where is the data hosted?
In UK cloud with daily backups, or on a server on your premises. Cloud hosting costs GBP 120 to 300 a month.
Let's scope your project. Describe your catalogue, transmission platforms and ad sales setup: we will price a scope between GBP 60,000 and 110,000, delivered in 5 months. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
