Newsroom computer systems (NRCS) like Avid iNEWS have long been the industry standard for broadcast news production. And for a good reason. It’s a sturdy tool that helps teams plan rundowns, write scripts, and manage other production processes under tight deadlines. But as the industry evolves, many broadcasters start looking for an alternative to iNEWS – such as a more adaptable, flexible, cloud-based and automation driven solution. And this marks a significant shift within broadcasting.
What is iNEWS?
iNEWS is a broadcasting ‘titan’ used by newsrooms worldwide. Through MOS integrations, it can connect to studio systems such as graphics, video servers, and automation layers.
For many, iNEWS means stability and familiarity. However, as technologies develop, traditional NRCS become less and less adaptable to the new reality. Oftentimes, traditional newsroom solutions are tied to on-prem infrastructures and hardware, which today makes them less scalable and more reliable on manual coordination. Such tools rarely work with new, cloud-first tools that gradually become irreplaceable in modern newsrooms.
The result? Adapting these systems to modern production needs requires additional resources, custom integrations, complex workarounds, more budget and time.
Why Broadcasters Are Looking for iNEWS Alternatives
Interconnectivity is no longer just an option. It’s a new standard. Modern newsrooms use automation and solutions that can speak to each other. Why? Broadcast operations of today are no longer limited to a single studio or linear channel. Newsrooms must produce content for multiple platforms to remain relevant and reach their audiences. That, undoubtedly, adds to the complexity of the production, and that’s why teams are automating more of the control room than ever before. This shift has led to broadcasters looking for more agile alternatives to traditional tools like iNEWS, which support:
- cloud-based access and real-time collaboration
- ability to connect to any tool in the studio
- faster onboarding for both technical and editorial teams
- less complex setup process
- automation-first and integration-rich environment
In this context, modern NRCS solutions are expected to do more than manage simple scripts; they need to actively support production.
Cuez as a Modern News Production Software Platform
Cuez approaches newsroom workflows from a broader production perspective. We bring the editorial closer to the technical, allowing them to speak the same language through one universal platform. Who wants to have a dozen different tools for rundown, automation, and management, when you can have it all in a single unified platform that empowers your team?
As a news production software solution, Cuez allows teams to collaborate on rundowns in real-time, while also linking those rundowns directly to studio devices and our automation engine. This means fewer handovers, manual steps, and headaches.
Cuez is designed to run in the browser, with no heavy local installs, and uses a no-code model to connect and automate systems. This benefits both technical and editorial teams because automation is easier to understand, test, and maintain. Everyone works from the same source of truth, with changes updated instantly across the whole control room.
Working Alongside Existing NRCS Systems
One of the most challenging steps in switching to a new tool is change management. Teams can be reluctant to ditch the way things used to be. But change doesn’t have to happen overnight.
Cuez supports MOS integrations, allowing you to start working with the platform while still using the existing NRCS setups. This enables a smooth transition, while also enhancing automation and collaboration capabilities. The key here is the ability to modernize gradually, introducing cloud-based workflows and automation where they add the most value, without disrupting established newsroom operations.
Choosing the Right NRCS for Today’s Broadcast Environment
There’s no universal answer when it comes to newsroom computer systems. Legacy platforms like iNEWS continue to serve many organisations well. But for those productions that want to evolve beyond legacy, they must reassess what they require a modern NRCS to have and whether traditional tools can deliver that.
Flexibility, automation, real-time collaboration, and a cloud-first approach are becoming increasingly important, and platforms like Cuez reflect this global shift, offering a modern approach for modern newsrooms.
Ecaterina Caprari
Content Marketeer