Editing Master control (section)

{{short description|Hub of a television broadcast operation}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2024}}
[[Image:111807y.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Fox Business Network]]'s master control]]

'''Master control''' is the technical hub of a [[broadcast]] operation common among most over-the-air [[television station]]s and [[television network]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Soseman |first1=Ned |title=Master Control: Part 1 - The Four Missions Of Master Control |url=https://www.thebroadcastbridge.com/content/entry/18594/master-control-system-design-part-1-ingest-outside-sources |website=The Broadcast Bridge |publisher=The Broadcast Bridge |access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref> It is distinct from a [[production control room]] (PCR) in [[television studio]]s where the activities such as switching from camera to camera are coordinated. A [[transmission control room]] (TCR) is usually smaller in size and is a scaled down version of [[centralcasting]].

Master control is the final point before a signal is transmitted over-the-air for [[terrestrial television]] or [[cablecast]], [[satellite]] provider for broadcast, or sent on to a [[cable television]] operator. Television master control rooms include banks of [[video monitor]]s, satellite [[receiver (radio)|receivers]], [[videotape]] machines, [[video server]]s, transmission equipment, and, more recently, computer [[broadcast automation]] equipment for recording and playback of television programming.

Master control is generally staffed with one or two master control operators around-the-clock to ensure continuous operation. Master control operators are responsible for monitoring the quality and accuracy of the on-air product, ensuring the transmission meets government regulations, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and preparing programming for [[playout]].  Regulations include both technical ones (such as those against over-modulation and [[dead air]]), as well as content ones (such as [[indecency]] and [[station ID]]).

Many [[television network]]s and [[radio network]]s or station groups have consolidated facilities and now operate multiple stations from one regional master control or [[centralcasting]] center. An example of this centralized [[broadcast programming]] system on a large scale is  [[NBC]]'s "hub-spoke project" that enables a single "hub" to have control of dozens of stations' automation systems and to monitor their air signals, thus reducing or eliminating some responsibilities of local employees at their [[owned-and-operated station]]s. 

Outside the [[United States]], the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] (CBC) manages four radio networks, two broadcast television networks, and several more cable/satellite radio and television services out of just two master control points ([[Canadian English|English language]] services at the [[Canadian Broadcasting Centre]] in [[Toronto]] and [[Canadian French|French language]] services at [[Maison Radio-Canada]] in [[Montreal]]). Many other public and private broadcasters in Canada have taken a similar approach.