Welcome to the world of live broadcasting, where cloud, automation, and AI are transforming the way we produce and deliver content. With the global media technology market rapidly evolving and broadcasters under pressure to “do more with less,” modern tools are no longer optional, they’re essential.
As we move into 2025, broadcasters face challenges that didn’t exist a decade ago:
- Shrinking budgets and teams mean more automation is needed.
- Platform fragmentation demands simultaneous publishing across TV, digital, and social.
- Hybrid workflows (cloud + on-prem) require tools that are device-agnostic and interoperable.
- Legacy NRCS lock-in slows innovation, but API-driven platforms are unlocking new possibilities.
In this guide, we’ll explore the Top 10 tools every broadcaster should know in 2025: from story-centric NRCS platforms to automation engines and playout systems. Whether you’re part of a regional TV station or a multi-site global newsroom, these tools can help you stay ahead of the curve.
1. Cuez – The First End-to-End Cloud Newsroom Suite
What it is:
Cuez is the first cloud-native, end-to-end production platform that combines Storiez (story planning), Rundown, and Automator into one seamless workflow. It’s designed to replace the patchwork of legacy NRCS systems and proprietary automation with a single, flexible, browser-based platform.
Why it matters:
- Works with both MOS-based systems and API-driven workflows, bridging legacy and modern setups.
- No-code automation with Automator allows technical directors to connect any tool (EVS, vMix, Ross Video, OBS, MAM/PAM systems, etc.) instantly.
- Device-agnostic — cloud, on-prem, or hybrid.
- Designed for lean teams and regional broadcasters that need efficiency without vendor lock-in.
Best use cases:
- Regional broadcasters looking to modernize without costly infrastructure overhauls.
- Stations needing fast turnaround for breaking news.
- Multi-platform publishers who want one workflow from idea to air.
2. EVS LiveCeption
The gold standard for replay and live event production. EVS enables instant highlights and slow-motion replays, making it indispensable in sports and fast-paced news environments. Integrated with Cuez Automator, EVS can be triggered automatically from the rundown.
3. Ross XPression & Inception
Ross remains a staple for graphics and newsroom management. XPression powers professional broadcast graphics, while Inception serves as a MOS-driven NRCS. Strong in Tier 1 broadcasters, but less flexible for hybrid/cloud workflows.
4. vMix
A favorite among regional broadcasters and digital-first stations. vMix is a cost-effective live production and streaming solution with features like instant replay, graphics, and remote contribution. Paired with Cuez Automator, it becomes part of a low-cost but professional-grade control room.
5. OBS Studio
Open-source and widely adopted by digital-first media outlets. While it lacks enterprise support, its flexibility and zero cost make it attractive for experimentation and smaller broadcasters. With Cuez, OBS can now be integrated into newsroom rundowns and automated control flows.
6. Wolftech News
A story-centric planning tool that helps large broadcasters organize coverage. Strong in collaboration and planning, but often requires third-party automation to connect with production tools.
7. Octopus NRCS
A legacy newsroom computer system, still used across Europe and Asia. Stable but heavily reliant on MOS and on-prem infrastructure. The new Cuez MOStomator allows Octopus to be integrated into hybrid workflows, giving older systems a bridge to modern automation.
8. Dalet Galaxy
An enterprise-grade MAM and NRCS, Dalet is widely used in Tier 1 broadcasters. Offers robust features but often comes with high costs, long onboarding, and vendor lock-in.
9. Mimir
An AI-powered video management platform. Mimir enables automatic clipping, transcription, and metadata tagging, making it a strong complement to newsroom systems like Cuez for searching archives and pushing highlights to social in seconds.
10. nxtedition
An all-in-one, on-prem system that bundles NRCS, automation, and playout. Popular with news-heavy broadcasters who want everything in one box, but less flexible for cloud-native or hybrid operations.
Conclusion
The live broadcasting landscape in 2025 is defined by speed, flexibility, and interoperability. Legacy systems like ENPS, Octopus, and Dalet remain in play, but they are increasingly challenged by cloud-native platforms that put collaboration, automation, and cost-efficiency at the forefront.
Among the top tools shaping the industry, Cuez stands out as the only end-to-end solution that unifies story planning, rundowns, and automation in a single cloud platform. With the launch of MOStomator, broadcasters finally have a tool that connects the old world of MOS with the new world of APIs, ensuring that no station gets left behind in the shift to modern, agile workflows.
Ready to see how Cuez can transform your newsroom? Book a demo at cuez.app
