Texas Athletics opened a new broadcast and video production center on Aug. 13 inside the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The space features four new production control rooms, a central server room, multipurpose studio space and three audio control rooms.
The new center, called Texas Studios, will be used by students in Bevo Video Productions to produce live games on the SEC Network and ESPN’s linear and digital networks, according to a Texas Athletics press release. The space will also serve as an academic center for students taking sports broadcasting and production classes this year in the Moody College of Communication.
Gerald Johnson, executive director of innovation and partnerships at Moody College, said in an email that these classes are part of an initiative to create a sports broadcasting and production minor by fall 2025.
“It’s pretty amazing that students … could sign up to take an introductory course on sports production and broadcasting,” Johnson said. “Through that process, (they can) find that they have an interest in doing that kind of work. They become connected to Bevo Video Productions, and then they have an opportunity to work at home games and get paid for the work that they do in a brand new, technologically advanced studio.”
In addition to the production of live sports, Texas Studios will also host podcasts and coaches’ shows, according to the press release. These will be streamed on the Longhorn Network, the University’s new on-demand video platform.
Jordan Levin, a radio-television-film professor of practice who has worked as chief content officer for the NFL, said that Texas Studios will give students the necessary experience to prepare for a sports broadcasting career after graduation.
“It’s a state-of-the-art facility built from the ground up that puts Texas at the forefront of resources to broadcast sporting events from campus,” Levin said. “When they graduate, they’re going to have a resume that can speak to their experiences.”
Alex Lowen, a radio-television-film senior, works for Bevo Video Productions and goes to Texas Studios three times a week for work. He said the new center features more space than the studio the team previously used.
“We had a control room in the Moody Center, which was a video wall of different inputs and about a row-and-a-half of desktop setups,” Lowen said. “Now we have three rows of desktop setups, two video walls and three separate studios. It’s just a lot more breathing room. There’s a lot of room to be a specialist if you need to practice.”
Praiya Smith, a radio-television-film sophomore, wants to pursue a career in sports media after graduation. She said the University’s decision to expand sports broadcasting and production opportunities reassured her about her career goals.
“(Sports broadcasting is) an industry that is becoming very popular, and it needs more attention,” Smith said. “I love that the college that I chose is aligning with my passions. I’m just really lucky that it’s all forming together, and I’m happy that other students get to experience that as well.”
