CBS Sports Turns to University of Cincinnati’s Control Room and Staff for Two Big 12 Men’s Basketball Broadcasts

Why It Matters

The collaboration proves that university facilities can deliver network‑quality sports broadcasts at lower cost while cultivating the next generation of broadcast talent, signaling a shift in how conferences and networks produce live events.

Key Takeaways

• CBS used UC's control rooms for two Big 12 games.
• CBS staff kept key roles; students handled technical positions.
• Ross Video, Calrec, Evertz gear integrated with CBS graphics.
• Two interconnected rooms enabled simultaneous basketball, videoboard, baseball productions.
• Model provides training ground and reduces traditional outside‑truck costs.

Pulse Analysis

The sports‑media landscape is increasingly turning to campus‑based production hubs as a cost‑effective alternative to traditional outside‑truck trucks. By leveraging the University of Cincinnati’s state‑of‑the‑art Ross Video routing, Carbonite switching, Calrec audio consoles and Evertz replay systems, CBS Sports was able to maintain its signature on‑air look while tapping a ready‑made technical workforce. This hybrid approach reduces travel expenses, shortens setup times, and allows networks to scale coverage across multiple venues without sacrificing quality.

Student involvement is a core benefit of the model. Cincinnati’s production curriculum equips learners with hands‑on experience on professional‑grade equipment, and the CBS partnership gave them exposure to network standards and workflows. The blend of seasoned CBS producers with campus crews creates a mentorship pipeline, ensuring a steady supply of skilled talent for the industry. Moreover, the university’s dual‑room setup—linked by 200 feet of fiber—supported simultaneous basketball, videoboard, and even baseball productions, showcasing the flexibility of a fixed‑location facility.

For the Big 12 and other conferences, the success of these broadcasts could accelerate adoption of similar agreements, reshaping broadcast economics and talent development. As more schools upgrade their control rooms for digital and linear streaming, networks may find a reliable, geographically dispersed infrastructure that aligns with the growing demand for live sports content. While logistical coordination and brand consistency remain challenges, the Cincinnati case demonstrates that a well‑orchestrated campus‑network partnership can meet, and even exceed, viewer expectations.