A major component of many news programs is live news – reports from the field that allow viewers to witness events as they happen. These live segments can be pre-recorded or, in the case of breaking news, transmitted as they unfold.
Unlike pre-recorded content, which can be rushed out to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving story, live news requires more planning and often involves going on the move to find compelling angles. As a result, live shots can be quite risky for reporters in the field.
To keep their audience engaged, digital news publishers need to be able to deliver fresh content quickly and efficiently. A live blog is one way to do this, allowing reporters and news editors to create and share updates in real-time across all of their platforms.
In the control room of a news studio, producers work to make sure everything goes according to plan during a broadcast. This includes directing various camera angles, mixing in archival footage and announcing any special guests. They also rely on an audio feed called IFB (interruptible feedback) to communicate with a reporter who is out in the field. The IFB provides a signal that tells the reporter when she should start speaking and stops. The signal is sent through a microphone or wireless box the reporter wears and into an earpiece.
A strong mobile connection is essential for live streaming, especially when reporters are on the go. The best news cameras, like the Sony Zv1 and GoPro Hero 10, offer high-quality video at a portable size and weight for use in fast-paced environments. And when it comes to streaming software, a system built for journalists, like Omnistream, offers an intuitive interface that lets reporters focus on their content rather than getting bogged down in complex configurations.