Broadcasting live events no longer requires expensive OB vans, large crews, or complex logistics. Today, broadcasters, event organizers, and organizations can deliver reliable, professional live coverage using portable broadcast technology and modern contribution workflows.

In Kenya, many live events are now produced using bonded cellular and IP-based solutions that reduce costs, improve flexibility, and allow faster deployment—without compromising broadcast quality.

What Replaces the OB Van?

Traditional OB vans combine cameras, transmission, switching, and crew transport into one mobile unit. While effective, they are costly and inflexible.

Modern live broadcasting replaces this with:

• Portable transmission equipment

• Remote production workflows

• Centralized studio or cloud-based control

• Reliable multi-network connectivity

This approach delivers the same outcome—live broadcast coverage—without the overhead of a full OB setup.

What You Get With OB-Less Live Broadcasting

When live events are produced without OB vans, organizations benefit from:

• Faster setup and teardown times

• Significantly lower production and logistics costs

• Greater flexibility across multiple locations

• Easier access to hard-to-reach or temporary venues

• Scalable setups for small and large events alike

This model is now widely adopted for news, sports, corporate events, and community programs.

Key Technologies Used to Broadcast Without an OB Van

1) Portable Live Contribution Equipment

Portable contribution systems allow live video to be transmitted directly from the event location using multiple bonded network connections. These systems are compact, quick to deploy, and designed for field use.

They are commonly used for:

• Outdoor events

• Breaking news coverage

• Sports and cultural events

• Temporary or pop-up productions

2) Remote Production Workflows

Instead of moving full production teams on-site, cameras and audio feeds are sent back to a central location where:

• Switching

• Graphics

• Recording

• Monitoring

are handled remotely. This significantly reduces crew size and on-site complexity.

3) Rapid Deployment Event Support

Live events often require short setup windows and fast response times. OB-less broadcasting relies on systems that can be deployed quickly and tested on location with minimal disruption.

Typical OB-Less Live Event Setup

A standard OB-less live event broadcast usually includes:

1. Cameras on-site
   Covering the event from key angles.

2. Portable transmission units
   Sending live video feeds using bonded cellular and IP networks.

3. Central production environment
   A studio, control room, or cloud-based platform where production is handled.

4. Delivery to broadcast or streaming platforms
   The final feed is sent to TV, online streaming platforms, or internal viewing systems.

This setup allows high-quality live coverage without heavy infrastructure.

Where OB-Less Broadcasting Works Best

Broadcasting live without an OB van performs especially well for:

• Sports events and tournaments

• Corporate events and conferences

• Faith-based and community events

• Outdoor and remote-location productions

• News and current affairs coverage

• Multi-location or multi-day events

Delivering OB-Less Live Broadcasting in Practice

Successful OB-less broadcasting depends on:

• Proper equipment selection

• Network reliability and redundancy

• Integration with existing production systems

• On-site and remote technical coordination

Sourcenet supports organizations in Kenya by designing and deploying live event broadcast workflows that remove the need for OB vans while maintaining professional broadcast standards. This includes equipment supply, system integration, and on-ground event support where required.

What Organizations Gain From OB-Less Live Broadcasting

• Reduced broadcast and logistics costs

• Faster deployment for live events

• Greater flexibility across locations

• Improved scalability for recurring events

• Reliable live coverage without heavy infrastructure

Conclusion

Broadcasting live events without an OB van is no longer a compromise—it is now a proven, efficient, and widely adopted approach. By combining portable contribution equipment, remote production workflows, and reliable connectivity, organizations can deliver professional live broadcasts with greater flexibility and lower cost.

OB-less broadcasting is especially well suited to the dynamic nature of events in Kenya, where mobility, speed, and cost efficiency are critical.

Contact us to discuss live event broadcast solutions, or get a quote for OB-less live production support.
👉 https://sourcenet.co.ke/contact