There’s a popular meme that goes, “Tell me your generation without saying your generation.” If you’re a Boomer or Gen Xer in the production industry, the phrase “Dub and Ship” might conjure up fond memories of late-night, multi-machine editing sessions, FedEx all-nighters, and nerve-wracking mornings hoping the delivery driver is just moments away from your client’s door.
For Millennials, the term might ring a vague bell, like when they say “tape the game” — even though tapes are as extinct as Blockbuster. But try saying “Dub and Ship” to a Gen Z-er, and they’ll stare at you like you’re asking them to fax something. (Fax? What’s that?)
Boomers and Xers, for context, are reminiscing about the days of Beta SP and HDCAM tapes—staples of the industry that now gather dust on storage shelves, awaiting their inevitable fate (which, by the way, involves digitization — see our previous article!). But while the phrase “Dub and Ship” might have gone the way of rotary phones, the need for a third-party service to deliver content to broadcasters, networks, and streaming sites is still alive and well. It’s just evolved with the times — unlike some of those tapes.
The Golden Days of Content Delivery
To truly understand how far we’ve come, let’s take a trip down memory lane to when delivering content electronically meant your news was already a day old. Can you imagine? In the midst of a presidential election, the infamous “October surprise” wouldn’t hit airwaves until the next day. And then came the advent of electronic delivery, where suddenly news outlets could get up-to-the-minute headlines and sound bites on the same day. It was revolutionary! Back then, third-party providers were the unsung heroes, pushing both radio and TV advertising into the digital future. But, as with all things, technology marched on. Radio delivery became almost obsolete with the rise of the MP3. Traffic directors could simply attach an advertising spot to an email, hit send, and—voilà!—job done. So why isn’t TV the same?
Why TV Still Relies on Delivery Vendors
You’d think, in a world where you can stream a full series in HD on your phone, that video file delivery would be as simple as sending an email, right? Well, not so fast. The truth is, no one at the station level can agree on a standard file type. Video files are way more complex than their audio counterparts. Between different configurations for video, audio, surround sound, stereo, and other factors, there are countless variables in play. Each station has its own preferred pathways and landing sites for the files. Plus, the human element complicates things — operations teams have to keep things organized as hundreds (or thousands!) of ad spots arrive throughout the year. And we haven’t even gotten to resolution wars: 4K? 8K? At this rate, the picture is so clear you’ll swear you’re sitting in the room with the characters. (Gen Z might enjoy that immersive feeling, but can Boomers handle that much reality?) Let’s not even get started on the future: augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and who knows what’s next. Each new technology ups the ante, and with it comes a new set of challenges in how content is delivered to meet growing expectations.
Generations and Tech: A Never-Ending Tug of War
Every generation seems to have its own tech headaches. Boomers are still recovering from the trauma of setting the VCR timer, while Millennials might still have PTSD from buffering YouTube videos in the early 2000s. Gen Z? They’ve never even heard a dial-up modem. (Cue the sound of Boomers and Xers cringing at the memory.) And it won’t stop there. We can only imagine what Gen Z will groan about when Gen Alpha takes over, probably saying things like, “You guys actually downloaded content?” The world of advertising and entertainment is a constantly shifting landscape, and Yangaroo stays ahead of the curve with every technological leap. Whether it’s transcoding a TV commercial into a thousand different file types in the cloud or sending one spot to one station, we’re here to make sure every generation’s needs are met—even the ones still using 1080p.
A Full Circle Moment: Radio’s Comeback
In a twist of irony, the convenience of MP3s and digital delivery hasn’t completely done away with third-party providers for radio. Traffic teams, now busier than ever, are more than happy to let someone else do the heavy lifting. It turns out, ease of use never goes out of fashion, and neither does outsourcing a headache.
The Generational Bottom Line
So, whether you’re a Boomer waxing nostalgic about dub-and-ship or a Gen Z-er wondering what ancient ritual that even refers to, one thing’s clear: convenience is key. As content evolves—from Beta SP to augmented reality—the demand for seamless delivery solutions remains timeless. Technology may change, but the need for simplicity never does. And in a world moving faster than ever, that’s something every generation can agree on.
