Broadcast networks face serious cybersecurity challenges that standard enterprise security cannot solve. Recent ransomware attacks prove this point clearly. Sinclair Broadcast Group lost $74 million when attackers hit 185 TV stations across 86 U.S. markets in 2021. Channel Nine in Australia went offline for 24 hours, forcing live shows to relocate. These attacks show how vulnerable broadcast infrastructure really is. Media organizations run 24/7 operations with real-time content delivery and complex equipment from multiple vendors. This creates perfect targets for ransomware and insider threats that can shut down live programming and steal sensitive content. Zero Trust Architecture works well in business environments. But no existing frameworks address broadcast-specific needs. Media companies remain exposed to attacks that target production systems, automated servers, and distribution networks. This research creates the first Zero Trust framework built specifically for broadcast networks. It combines proven security principles with broadcast threat modeling. The framework protects live production workflows, content integrity, and meets regulatory requirements. The methodology employs controlled simulation testing across three diverse broadcast scenarios: small market television stations, regional broadcast groups, and national media networks. Framework validation includes stakeholder interviews, performance benchmarking, and expert review processes to ensure practical applicability. Testing across three broadcast scenarios shows strong results. Small TV stations, regional groups, and national networks all benefit. The framework improves threat detection by 67%. Ransomware impact drops by 45%. Insider threat detection jumps 78%. All improvements happen without disrupting operations. Deployment takes two weeks for small stations and twelve weeks for national networks. This research advances broadcast cybersecurity theory and provides practical implementation guidance. It fills critical security gaps while keeping the real-time performance that media operations demand.

Zero Trust Architecture, Network Security, Broadcast Infrastructure, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Ransomware Mitigation, Insider Threats, Media Networks, Cybersecurity Framework

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