Dependable video feeds for news and television
Camera crews, live signal management and delivery to your control room. We keep the picture steady from the venue to the studio, whether it is one location or several.
- Camera crews on location
- Live signal monitoring
- Delivery by fibre or satellite
Ask for a quote
Contact us01743 358216Send a few details about your event and we will reply within one working day.
Five ways we supply broadcast-ready video
commonra works with news producers, programme makers and event organisers who need pictures they can put straight to air. Our crews shoot, our engineers watch the signal, and our coordinator arranges the delivery. You can book one part of that chain or all of it.
Live Signal Management
We monitor and route live video signals so your broadcast stays stable from venue to studio. An engineer watches the feed throughout, checks levels and paths, and speaks to your control room if anything needs adjusting.
On-Location Camera Crews
Experienced camera operators capture news events, concerts and festivals to broadcast standard. Crews arrive early, check the position and the light, and agree with your producer what shots are needed before recording or transmission begins.
Multi-Camera Event Feeds
Switched coverage of stages and large events, ready for television programmes. Several cameras are cut together on site, so the programme team receives a single clean feed instead of separate sources to sort out afterwards.
News Programme Support
Rapid-turnaround feeds and live inserts for news bulletins and current affairs shows. We work to the running order you give us, keep communication short and clear, and hand over material in the format your newsroom expects.
The equipment and settings behind each feed
A broadcast feed depends on small, practical details: where the camera stands, how the cable runs, who watches the monitors. These scenes show the kinds of setups our crews work in.
Monitoring a live signal in a control area
An engineer checks several incoming sources on a monitor wall, watching picture, sound and signal strength so a fault is caught before it reaches the broadcaster.
Camera positioned at the edge of a festival stage
Position is agreed in advance with the event team, so the operator has a clear view of the performers without blocking the audience or safety routes.
Cabling run for a multi-venue shoot
Cable and connectors are labelled and laid out to a plan, which makes faults quicker to trace and the rig quicker to strike at the end of the day.
Switching between cameras at the production desk
A vision mixer cuts between camera angles in time with the programme, following the director's instructions and the running order set before the event.
Satellite uplink vehicle ready for transmission
For feeds going to a broadcaster by satellite, the dish is aligned and tested before the booked slot so transmission starts on time.
Presenter at a news desk during a live insert
For news bulletins we supply the pictures and keep a talkback line open with the studio, so the insert joins the programme at the right moment.
A small crew based in Shrewsbury since 2014
commonra was founded in 2014 by Helen Marsh, who came from television operations. We are a compact team of camera operators, signal engineers and a distribution coordinator working from Coleham Head Works in Shrewsbury. Our clients are news programmes, television producers and event organisers who need feeds that arrive clean and on schedule. We keep our methods simple: clear plans, calm communication and discretion about what we film and for whom.
AboutFrom first enquiry to delivered feed
Every job starts with a conversation about what you need on air and where it is coming from. We then plan the crew, the signal path and the delivery, and confirm it in writing before anything is booked.
Enquiry
You tell us the date, the location, the type of programme and the destination of the feed. A short note is enough; we ask for anything further by phone or e-mail.
What you leave withA shared understanding of the job and any questions still open.
Planning and recce
We decide how many cameras and crew are needed, how the signal will travel, and what the venue allows. Where it helps, we visit the site or speak to the venue's technical staff first.
What you leave withA written plan covering crew, equipment and signal route.
Written quotation
We send a quotation setting out what is included and what could change the price, such as extra cameras, longer hours or a different delivery method.
What you leave withA quotation you can accept in writing.
Shoot and live monitoring
On the day the crew sets up early, tests each source and tests the path to your control room. An engineer monitors the signal for the whole transmission or recording.
What you leave withA stable feed and a log of any issues dealt with.
Delivery and invoice
Finished feeds go to you by satellite, fibre or secure internet transfer, with a technical hand-off to your control room. We then issue an invoice, payable by bank transfer.
What you leave withDelivered material and an invoice matching the quotation.
