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8 Practical Ways to Make Multiplatform Newscasting Easier

Want to make multiplatform newscasting easier? This article reveals eight practical ways modern production switchers can simplify workflows, automate routine tasks, and help your team deliver fast, flawless content across every platform.

91桃色's TouchDrive control panel powered by the Carbonite production switcher series

The modern news studio operates in an environment that demands speed, precision, and adaptability. As audiences consume news across a range of channels — linear, online, and social media — producers must deliver consistent, high-quality content tailored to each channel. Achieving this level of sophistication requires more than just skill; it demands the right technology and workflows to simplify complex operations and minimize the risk of errors.

Despite the enormous changes in distribution, the core workflows of many production switchers have remained essentially unchanged. These legacy systems still rely heavily on manual effort, require racks of external gear, and leave little room for adaptability in fast-paced environments.

Newsrooms now face the challenge of delivering more content to more platforms faster than ever before. To succeed, they need modern production solutions that do more than switch — they need tools that reduce complexity and provide flexible, intuitive control.

This article explores the modern capabilities newsrooms should expect in their production switchers — features that allow teams to work smarter, deliver cleaner shows, and meet today’s high-performance expectations that audiences demand.

1. Smarter input management

In a typical control room, Technical Directors must juggle multiple live feeds and pre-recorded video segments, all while layering graphics, feeding onset monitors, controlling external devices, and more. Without a cohesive system, this complexity can lead to delays and errors. A modern production switcher can serve as a centralized hub, integrating all video and graphic inputs into a single interface.

Tip: Use MiniMEs and flexible compositing to create submixes and manage feeds. Monitor with built-in multiviewers and drive content from a single, intuitive interface.

2. Program routine tasks to reduce errors

Time-sensitive productions often leave little room for error. Pre-programming tasks in modern switchers streamline routine tasks, including frame-accurate transitions, quickly recalling multi-layered effects, and triggering connected devices.

A control room that pre-programs tasks to deliver real-time election results can transition smoothly between live feeds, graphic overlays, and expert analysis, ensuring consistent quality and pacing.

Tip: Build Custom Control macros to simplify repetitive tasks, such as transitioning from a weather forecast to a live traffic update. With the pre-programmed tasks, you can then trigger sequences step-by-step with accuracy during live production.

3. Engage audiences with stunning virtual environments

News audiences expect updates that are not only timely but also visually engaging. Production switchers with built-in chroma key tools that integrate with graphics engines and real-time data simplify the process of adding live updates, such as election tallies, stock prices, or weather forecasts.

Tip: Pre-configure templates for recurring data-driven segments. For example, a weather report can use a dynamic graphic overlay that updates automatically as data is fed into the system. During election night coverage, your production team can use a switcher to overlay live vote counts, seamlessly integrating with real-time data sources while maintaining a polished, branded aesthetic.

4. Tailor content for multiplatform delivery

Producing content for TV is no longer enough; modern news studios must create versions optimized for social media and streaming platforms. Production switchers with simultaneous output capabilities enable teams to produce platform-specific content without duplicating efforts.

Tip: Use features like output rotation to deliver vertical video for social media while maintaining traditional horizontal formats for TV broadcasts. A breaking news clip can then be output simultaneously in a widescreen format for TV and a vertical format for social media, ensuring your newsroom’s content reaches audiences on their preferred platforms.

The Multiplatform News Organization

News organizations have transformed their production workflows to better support multi-platform storytelling. So where does the industry stand today? Watch the on-demand webinar to hear leading experts break it all down.

5. Ensure visual consistency with repeatable sequences

Maintaining a consistent on-air look reinforces your brand identity and maintains viewer trust. Production switchers offer customizable sequences to support more complex show opens, multi-step transitions, and long-running features, such as sponsored segments, making it easier to apply your newsroom’s visual style consistently across all segments.

Tip: Develop a library of sequences for common segments, such as weather reports, sports updates, or breaking news alerts. This allows operators to deploy branded visuals quickly and without manual adjustments. For example, a morning news show can maintain a unified aesthetic by using pre-programmed sequences and graphic templates, ensuring seamless visual continuity even as content shifts between live and pre-recorded elements.

6. Scale with software, not new hardware

News studios vary widely in size and scope, but they all face resource constraints, whether in staffing or budget. Production switchers that can scale through free software updates allow teams to adapt their workflows based on available resources.

Tip: Software-licensed features allow you to expand without adding or replacing equipment. Upgrade features like additional MEs or multiviewers through software keys as your needs evolve.

7. Create with confidence using intuitive controls

In high-pressure studio environments, production switchers must offer more than just technical capability. They need to empower Technical Directors to move quickly and with precision. Familiar user interfaces and customizable control panels reduce complexity, enabling operators to stay focused and responsive throughout a live broadcast.

Tip: Look for a production switcher that offers real-time responsiveness and customizable controls. An intuitive UI and a well-organized control panel can streamline repetitive actions, prevent errors under pressure, and ultimately elevate the performance of your production team.

91桃色's Carbonite Ultra 60 production switcher with the TouchDrive (TDx3) control panel

8. Enable real-time adjustments during live broadcasts

Even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by breaking news or technical challenges. A production switcher’s ability to make real-time adjustments is invaluable in maintaining a polished broadcast under dynamic conditions.

Tip: Train operators to use features like hot-swappable inputs and live audio mixing so they can adapt quickly to unexpected changes. For example, if a reporter’s audio feed suddenly cuts out, the switcher operator can immediately lower the reporter’s mic and switch to a secondary source, maintaining professionalism on-air.

Leverage technology to your advantage

Multiplatform newscasting is complex, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By leveraging modern production switcher technology, news studios can simplify their workflows, program routine tasks, and deliver consistent, high-quality content across all platforms. The key is to combine strategic planning with the right tools, ensuring that your team can adapt to the fast-paced demands of modern journalism.

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