diff --git a/backend/src/utilities/database.py b/backend/src/utilities/database.py
index 3f3abd1..288482b 100644
--- a/backend/src/utilities/database.py
+++ b/backend/src/utilities/database.py
@@ -25,6 +25,21 @@ def _db_text(value: Any) -> Any:
     return str(value)
 
 
+def _serialize_row_for_broadcast(row: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    serialized = dict(row)
+
+    raw_val = serialized.get("raw")
+    if isinstance(raw_val, (bytes, bytearray)):
+        serialized["raw_b64"] = base64.b64encode(raw_val).decode("ascii")
+        serialized.pop("raw", None)
+
+    for key, value in list(serialized.items()):
+        if hasattr(value, "isoformat"):
+            serialized[key] = value.isoformat()
+
+    return serialized
+
+
 class DatabasePool:
     """Asyncpg connection pool wrapper used by the packet APIs."""
 
@@ -87,7 +102,7 @@ class DatabasePool:
 
         try:
             async with self._pool.acquire() as conn:
-                new_row = await conn.fetchrow(
+                row = await conn.fetchrow(
                     """
                     INSERT INTO packets (
                         packet_uid,
@@ -157,7 +172,7 @@ class DatabasePool:
                         dpi_metadata = COALESCE(EXCLUDED.dpi_metadata, packets.dpi_metadata),
                         telemetry_metadata = COALESCE(EXCLUDED.telemetry_metadata, packets.telemetry_metadata),
                         raw = COALESCE(EXCLUDED.raw, packets.raw)
-                    RETURNING id, timestamp
+                    RETURNING *
                     """,
                     pkt_info["packet_uid"],
                     pkt_info.get("ingress_if"),
@@ -195,9 +210,9 @@ class DatabasePool:
             logger.exception("DB upsert failed")
             return
 
-        if new_row:
-            pkt_info["id"] = new_row["id"]
-            pkt_info["timestamp"] = new_row["timestamp"].isoformat()
+        if row:
+            persisted = _serialize_row_for_broadcast(dict(row))
+            pkt_info.update(persisted)
 
         if self.broadcaster:
             try: