BUSN Student Production

BUSN (Bloomsburg University Sports Network)

With the growing desire to bring video content to consumers as quick as possible, Multimedia Services teamed up with Athletics, Sports Information, and the Department of Media and Journalism to create BUSN, a student-run live production team that offers a truly professional experience.

Watch the sports action here!

From the Stadium to your Home

Since the Fall of 2017, each member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) is required to provide live webcasts of all Football, Volleyball, and Basketball contests as well as any championship event hosted by the institution. Here at Bloomsburg University, BUTV took on this responsibility and over time evolved into what we now call BUSN.

The mission of BUSN is to offer a professional live video production experience not just for students who may wish to pursue it as a career, but also to those who wish to view Bloomsburg University Athletic competitions and other special events like graduation. Most importantly, BUSN is completely student run with the aid of a few staff members who help with scheduling and training.

There are three ways to participate in BUSN productions:

  • Volunteer - The easiest way to get involved is to volunteer. Email Adam Hower for more information.
  • Student Work Study - Apply to work for Media Services by completing our Online Employment Application.
  • Media and Journalism Class Credit - Various Media and Journalism classes offer credit for assisting in BUSN productions.  Email Jason Genovese for more information.

Spring 2024 Event Schedule

Sign up for events!

Your Upward Experience Awaits

Joining the production crew for BUSN offers a professional experience for students, including:

Play-by-Play Announcers provide a live description of the action.

Color Commentators provide expert analysis and opinion of the contest as it transpires.

Sideline Reporters work closer to the action and provide insight based on what they learn through their proximity to the contest and often interview coaches, players, or fans.

The Technical Director (TD) works in the production control room and operates the video switcher and associated devices as well as serving as the chief of the television crew. It is the TD's job to ensure all positions are staffed and all equipment and facilities are checked out and ready before the live broadcast begins. They typically will switch video sources, perform live digital effects and transitions, and insert pre-recorded material, graphics and titles. They will also provide direction to the camera operators and talent.

The Instant Replay Operator is responsible for selecting, tagging, cueing, and rolling replay segments during the live game and assembling a highlight reel for half time and the end of the game.

The Graphics Operator inserts intro graphics, network logos, talent names, scores, and player statistics. They can also be responsible for creating full screen graphics like charts and graphs depicting statistics about a sport, team, or event.

The Audio Technician is responsible for setting up sound and communications equipment including microphones, in-ear monitors, wireless intercom packs, and intercom stations, making adjustments and testing the equipment, and operating the audio console during the production.

Camera Operators are responsible for setting up the tripod and camera before the event, capturing all the action during the event, following the instructions from the Technical Director to achieve specific shots or angles, and packing the camera and tripod away after the event. Each event could have up to five camera operators.

The main responsibility of the Camera Cable Puller is to follow behind a roving camera which is connected to the control room by a cable. The cable-puller carries the cable and prevents it from becoming tangled, caught on obstacles, or creating a hazard. As the camera operator moves around, the cable-puller holds a section of the cable tidily rolled in one hand and feeds the cable with the other. Enough slack is maintained to allow the camera operator room to move freely. More cable can be unwound quickly if needed.

In most cases, the Cable Puller and Camera Operator will trade positions at regular intervals throughout the event to allow for rest periods and equitable experience.

The Camera Control Unit (CCU) Operator is responsible for maintaining uniform exposure, white balance, and contrast to regulate the picture quality between multiple cameras. The CCU Operator may be in frequent communication with the camera operators to resolve potential issues.

When applicable, the CCU Operator may also be responsible for remotely operating Robotic Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras in the venue.

Technology & Equipment

The students working on BUSN productions have the opportunity to work with state of the art video technologies and equipment including:

Hitachi Z-HD5500 Cameras are state of the art HD 1080 Progressive cameras used in professional broadcast facilities around the world. Cameras are connected to the CCUs via SMPTE Hybrid Fiber Optic Cable providing power, two way communication, video, and control over a single cable.
Sachler Video 15 FT Flowtech 100 tripods

The Newtek Tricaster TC1 is an all in one production system with support for up to 16 video sources, video and audio playback, advanced graphics overlays and transitions, and direct live streaming to the PSAC Sports Digital Network, Facebook, YouTube, and others.

The Newtek 3Play 3P1 is a complete Instant Replay solution supporting up to four inputs, two independent replay channels, graphics overlays, clip tagging, and remote telestration.

The Midas M32 Live audio console provides 40 input channels, 16 output busses, 32 microphone inputs, 32 channels of Dante audio input, dynamic and effect controls on each channel, and remote control.

NewBlueFX Titler Live provides animated graphics including live score integration for the broadcast.

A Sonifex Dante Commentary Unit provides connectivity for two Sennheiser Pro Headsets worn by the Play-by-Play Announcer and Color Commentator.

Sideline reporters use a Shure Axient Digital Handheld Microphone for their reports and interviews. The mic offers push-to-talk functionality to allow them to communicate directly with the director and other talent without talking on-air. They can also listen to the broadcast and direction from the director and other talent through a Shure PSM 200 In-Ear Monitor System.

Crowd and player background noise is captured in each venue by a pair of Sennheiser MKH 416 Microphones.

The Clearcom Eclipse HX Digital Matrix Intercom System facilitates campus wide communication via our existing network infrastructure. The athletics venues utilize four wireless belt packs and four control room stations each with customized keys to talk or listen to specific crew or talent as needed.

In addition to live webcasts, during Football games the BUSN video production is presented on the Jahri Evans Scoreboard in Redman Stadium.

The equipment described above relies heavily on network infrastructure to achieve all of our technical needs. These are just a few of the technologies and protocols that support our systems:

  • Network Device Interface (NDI) is a video transport technology created by NewTek, the makers of Tricaster. This technology links the TC1, 3P1, NewBlueFX, camera sources, and output sources with latency of under one frame.
  • Dante by Audinate is an audio transport technology linking all of our audio devices with the mixing console and the Tricaster.
  • Dante Domain Manger is a network platform that expands the capability of Dante devices to send audio between different sections of the campus network.
  • AES67 is an audio transport technology that is compatible with some Dante devices. AES67 enables our wireless intercom to roam between access points in different buildings throughout campus. AES67 also provides the bridge to connect the campus radio station network to the campus wide Dante network.
  • G.722 is an audio transport technology that has been around since 1988. This codec provides connectivity to our hardwired intercom stations as well as the mobile apps.
illustration of Carver Hall

Contact Information