What is it like behind the scenes in Sports TV?
By Leon Imber
Updated 08/01/2026 at 23:57 GMT
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Ever wondered how your favourite sports make it onto the TV? TNT Sports and Into Film are giving you an exclusive peek behind the camera! Meet the people who bring the action to your TV or App, including presenters, senior assistant producers, and camera operators. Discover what their jobs involve, and get tips to help you follow your dreams.
TNT Sports football coverage image with production crew
Image credit: TNT Sports
Sports broadcasting is full of energy, creativity, and teamwork. But how does it all come together?
From capturing the action on camera to producing the shows you love, it’s full of amazing opportunities, and like all the best jobs, it just takes passion and hard work to get there!
Watch our four short videos featuring TNT Sports professionals as they share what they do, how they got started, and their top tips for anyone curious about this exciting world.
- Click here to download our Story Builder: Sports Broadcasting activity pack, to create your own sports broadcast.
Senior Assistant Producer
Ever wondered who helps make our live football coverage look amazing? From the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup to the Women’s Adobe FA Cup and UEFA competitions, a Senior Assistant Producer plays a key role in bringing the action to your screen.
You’ll find out how they work as a replay coordinator, using multiple camera angles to make big moments even more exciting.
Watch the video to find out more about this fast-paced role!
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Learn about the role of a Senior Assistant Producer with TNT Sports
Video credit: TNT Sports
Here is an example of TNT Sports' Champions League coverage, in which multiple angles were used to improve the viewers' experience.
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'Absolutely brilliant!' - Watch as Rice puts Arsenal ahead with 'incredible' free-kick
Video credit: TNT Sports
Top tip from our Senior Assistant Producer
My biggest tip for anyone trying to get into sports broadcasting would be to never be afraid of being too enthusiastic.
Camera Operator
Do you know who captures the shots the main cameras can’t?
A Camera Operator connects TNT Sports teams to create and provide extra footage that makes sports coverage even better.
In this video, you’ll find out how they work behind the scenes to bring unique angles and stories to life.
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Learn about the role of a Camera Operator with TNT Sports
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Camera Operator's role is crucial in providing content around an actual event itself. For example, features and films which are shown as part of pre-event coverage.
Here’s an example of the type of content a Camera Operator might film:
Top tip from our Camera Operator
"Just do it, you know, if you are at school and you have a sports team at school, maybe start looking at the sports team and wondering how you might be able to film it, or work with them, or write articles about the sport.
"Maybe you can film a bit of your school football match and then maybe do some voiceover like talk over the pictures and then already you've created a sports broadcaster."
- Always remember to get permission!
Presenter
Think presenting live sports sounds exciting? Here’s what it’s really like. Meet Rolf Choutan, one of our presenters of Sign Up.
Alongside Damaris Cooke, Rolf has interviewed some of the biggest names in sport and created amazing content for fans.
Both Rolf and Damaris are leading British Sign Language (BSL) presenters in the industry. In this video, Rolf shares what his role involves and what it takes to present live sports coverage.
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Learn about the role of a Presenter with TNT Sports
Video credit: TNT Sports
Why is this role so important?
Presenters don’t just ask questions, they help make interviews with top names like Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot, and Eberechi Eze look and sound amazing. They work closely with producers, camera operators, and lots of behind-the-scenes experts to make sure every interview is the best it can be.
- Read more about Sign Up by clicking here!
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Slot talks learning from other managers and the player he wanted to emulate growing up
Video credit: TNT Sports
Top tip from our Presenter
"I think prep is number one. Deep preparation on the person, their background, or if they have been interviewed before, gauge their responses.
"Think about new questions, don't replicate things they've already been asked.
Don't stick to the list of questions. You know you've got it there as a back-up, but to see how they're responding, ask follow-up questions, go with the flow of the conversation. That's number one.
Production Manager
Who makes sure everything runs smoothly during a live sports broadcast? That’s the job of the Production Manager. They oversee the entire operation, making sure every person and every piece of equipment is in the right place and doing the right job.
Watch the video to learn more about this key role behind the scenes!
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Learn about the role of a Production Manager with TNT Sports
Video credit: TNT Sports
Why is this role so important?
A Production Manager is the ultimate organiser behind a live sports broadcast. They connect lots of different departments, from finance, risk assessment, producers to camera operators, audio teams, and technical crews. Without them, the broadcast simply wouldn’t happen!
A top tip
"Go and find the people who are creating the content that you want to create, and actually reach out to them.
Into Film and Northern Ireland Screen
Image credit: Other Agency
Into Film is the UK’s leading charity for film in education and the community, providing screen industry careers information and advice, supporting young filmmakers, and bringing the power of moving image storytelling into classroom teaching.
The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
Career videos were produced in partnership with Into Film to support the Story Builder: Sports Broadcasting resource.
Into Film Story Builder resources have been developed with investment from Northern Ireland Screen.
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