The use of audio and video archives has become a standard practice in broadcast stations, education- and audio/video surveillance applications. Most significant objective in an archive strategy for audio-/digital assets is data protection over specified periods of time and at the same time to provide online, nearline or offline access. While the online playback is always done from harddisk/RAID, the deep archive should consist of low cost, highly reliable direct- or nearline access storage media. The content is managed by an asset management software, which controls the different storage devices. In most cases the archive strategy includes usage of optical storage media.

There will be loss of data at some point in time. Regular storage on hard disk with tape backup will not protect you from data loss. Additionally, repeated playback with tape storage deteriorates the quality of the content. Magnetic recording is contact recording and has wear and tear over time. The only long term safe storage medium = archive medium is optical storage. Optical storage is a non-contact recording method, write once media (WORM) should be used in archive environments. Use of rewrite media is an option in some environments.

Video/audio recordings, film and video soundtracks, terrestrial and satellite broadcasts, cable programs -  all have historical significance that demand long-term or permanent retention.

A/V broadcasting demands long term archive of rich content for reuse at a later point in time. Usually the demand for long term safe storage comes from the original producer who wants to preserve the content. In audio/video observation managed long term storage (months to years) with precise access as well as controlled erasure is a requirement.    
Several ISO Standards have been released including BS-ISO 12606 Care and Preservation of Magnetic Audio Recordings for Motion Picture and Television.