broadcastnummers

Broadcastnummers are numeric identifiers used within broadcasting organizations to label and manage broadcast content. In Dutch media practice, the term refers to codes that reference programs, segments, or individual items in schedules, logs, and asset-management systems. They function as stable keys that help operators locate and track content across playout, archiving, and rights processes.

These numbers are commonly employed in automated playout and logging workflows. They support scheduling, rundowns, and playlist generation, and they facilitate data analytics, rights verification, and interchange with other systems such as traffic, traffic‑order systems, and metadata repositories. Broadcastnummers are typically assigned to a unit of content such as a program, a segment within a program, or a single episode, and they may be reused across days or seasons according to an organization’s conventions.

Structure and format of broadcastnummers vary by broadcaster. They are often integers, but some organizations use alphanumeric codes to convey additional information (for example channel or version) within the code. The system of numbers is usually defined in internal documentation and can be hierarchical, with broader series assigned to a show and specific sub-numbers for individual airings or segments.

History and context: broadcastnummers emerged with early scheduling and automation systems and have evolved with digital playout and metadata standards. Today, they are part of the broader practice of asset management and program scheduling, helping ensure consistent references across platforms and departments.

See also: metadata, program scheduling, playout automation, asset management, electronic program guide.