Sofie
lastmod 2025-05-11created 2025-05-111 edits
Open-source web-based system for automating live TV news production
About
- Open-source web-based system for automating live TV news production
- Used daily for live TV news production at NRK, the Norwegian public broadcaster, since September 2018
- Users can edit news running orders and manage various elements such as video, graphics, and audio in one place through a web interface
- An automated cue system helps maintain broadcast quality and reduce human error
- The system has a modular structure that can be extended flexibly, and integrates with a variety of broadcast hardware
- Free for anyone to use, making it suitable for small broadcasters and educational institutions
Sofie system overview
- Sofie is an open-source web-based news automation platform
- A system focused on automating and optimizing the operation of live TV news broadcasts
- Simplifies complex production processes into a unified interface, helping improve broadcast efficiency and consistency
Key features
- Provides a modern web-based user interface that news producers can access and control quickly
- Built as a state-based device control and content playout system, so each device automatically performs the appropriate action based on the current state
- Has a modular device control architecture, enabling integration with various hardware (e.g. video switchers, graphics servers) and software
- A modular data ingest structure integrates with the MOS protocol and Google Sheets to fetch external content automatically
- Supports plugin-based show programming, allowing automation flows tailored to specific shows or broadcast formats
- Automated cue and timing control reduces human error and enables fast, reliable broadcast preparation and playout
- Provides a real-time collaboration interface where multiple producers and operators can work together simultaneously
- Lets you manage various media resources such as video, audio, graphics, and studio equipment intuitively
- Highly scalable and flexible, applicable to a wide range of broadcast environments from small to large scale
Usability and accessibility
- Sofie is an open-source solution available for free
- Ensures broadcast quality and consistency without separate commercial tools, making it suitable for small broadcasters, local broadcasters, educational institutions, and more
- As a web-based platform, it can be accessed and used from anywhere