Case Study: ITV Studios uses Cuez to manage back-to-back shows from one platform

ITV Studios deployed the Cuez live production platform to manage production workflows across its daytime programs “This Morning,” “Loose Women” and “Lorraine” from a single operational environment.

The three shows are produced back-to-back from the same London studio and share one technical crew while maintaining separate branding, graphics and editorial approaches.

ITV’s daytime programs move to studio at The Hospital Club

The deployment consolidated live rundown management and studio automation into a unified platform that supports producers, playout operators and technical staff. ITV Studios said the system replaced multiple production tools previously used across the gallery and control room.

“Our production teams range in technical ability yet suddenly they all use the same newsroom system and that’s really unique,” said Barry Thomas, executive director at ITV Studios. “Other systems don’t offer this sort of full capability.”

The broadcaster said the platform combined graphics and VT playout control into a single application, reducing the number of operators required during live productions and simplifying transitions between programs.

“Using one application, we were able to play multiple graphics systems and VT playout systems together very easily,” said Adam Scott, gallery playout operator at ITV Studios. “This results in the crew having a clearer view of the show, and less margin for error when transitions between programmes run to minutes.”

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ITV Studios also deployed Cuez Rundown to provide real-time script and production updates across the studio floor and control room. Camera operators replaced printed rundowns with iPads displaying synchronized production information.

“From the minute I started, I noticed it was much easier to use than other systems I’ve used in the past,” said Jonathan Hughes, producer at ITV Studios. “It’s really user-friendly. Once you’ve had just a little bit of a play-around with it, you’re completely across it.”

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Hughes said the platform’s live synchronization capabilities improved communication between the control room, presenters and camera operators during last-minute production changes.

“Being able to have one universal tool that we can communicate in, and see exactly what is happening next, is a real game changer for creatives and directors,” Thomas said.

Cuez said its cloud-based platform integrates newsroom workflows, rundowns and studio automation through API and MOS connectivity. The company said the system is used across news, entertainment and live event productions.