What is BroadcastSIMS?

BroadcastSIMS is a suite of six browser-based simulations that teach live broadcast production. Students take a production role (technical director, replay operator, audio engineer, graphics operator, or director) and practice it on realistic interfaces with real event footage.

Do we need production equipment or special computers?

No. BroadcastSIMS runs in a web browser on computers, laptops, and Chromebooks, so a whole class can train at once without a control room.

Does the teacher need a broadcast background?

No. Every simulation comes with lesson plans, readings, vocabulary, rubrics, and assessments, so a teacher can run the course without building materials from scratch.

How does BroadcastSIMS connect to HometownLive?

Students build their skills in the simulations, then put them to work running your live games on HometownLive. Your stream gets a trained crew and your students get real broadcast experience.

How much does it cost?

BroadcastSIMS is included with the HometownLive All Access package and is available as a $995/year add-on for other plans. It is eligible for Carl D. Perkins CTE funding.

Build Your Broadcast Crew in the Classroom

Live production simulations and ready-to-teach lessons that train students to switch, replay, mix, and direct, then put them to work on your HometownLive streams.

Visit BroadcastSIMS

At a glance

Six browser-based live production simulations
Ready-to-teach lessons, readings, rubrics, and assessments
Runs on computers and Chromebooks, no production equipment needed
Aligned to CTE and industry standards
Educator dashboard for classes, assignments, and progress
Included with All Access, or $995/year as an add-on

Why It Matters

Every Stream Needs a Crew

The best crew for your broadcasts is already in your building. The hard part is training them. Production gear is expensive, there is never enough of it for a whole class, and the teacher assigned to an A/V course often comes from journalism, not a control room.

BroadcastSIMS solves both problems. Every student gets a seat in a realistic control room on a laptop or Chromebook, and every simulation comes with complete lessons, so teachers can run a full course without building materials from scratch.

The Simulations

One Simulation for Every Seat in the Control Room

Students start with the fundamentals in A/V Club, then step into each production role. Footage and scenarios are refreshed every year.

The starting point

A/V Club

Introduces the fundamentals of audio and video production before students take on a specific role.

Technical Director

SwitcherSIM

Camera switching, transitions, and keeping pace with a live show.

Replay Operator

ReplaySIM

Isolating the key moment and delivering the replay on cue.

Director

DirectorSIM

Calling shots, coordinating the crew, and running the show.

Audio Engineer

AudioSIM

Mixing, balancing, and managing live audio at broadcast quality.

Graphics Operator

GraphicsSIM

Building and triggering lower thirds, scoreboards, and on-screen graphics.

Inside the Simulation

Real Footage, Real Interfaces

Each simulation looks and works like professional broadcast equipment and runs on real event footage. Here, a SwitcherSIM student cuts between cameras, video rolls, and graphics on a Friday night football show.

SwitcherSIM lesson with preview and program monitors, camera feeds, and score graphics for a Friday night football show

A SwitcherSIM lesson: preview, program, and every source a technical director works with

From Simulation to Stream

From the Classroom to Game Night

Learn the Role

Students work through lessons on realistic production interfaces built from real event footage. Built-in feedback shows them what worked and what to fix.

Train as a Crew

Multi-player sessions put students in different seats at the same time, so a class practices together like a real production crew.

Go Live on HometownLive

When they are ready, the same students run your live games on HometownLive, with fans watching at home, on the app, and on Roku.

For Teachers

Ready to Teach on Day One

Lesson plans with learning objectives and step-by-step instructions
Student readings with built-in industry vocabulary
Quizzes, rubrics, reflection prompts, and performance-based assessments
Capstone projects that pull every skill together
Lessons that build from the basics to multi-camera productions
Educator dashboard to assign simulations and track progress

BroadcastSIMS with HometownLive

$995/year

Included with the All Access package, or add it to any HometownLive plan.

BroadcastSIMS is eligible for Carl D. Perkins CTE funding, which can cover up to the full cost for qualifying programs.

Broadcast Curriculum

Broadcast Curriculum FAQ

: BroadcastSIMS is a suite of six browser-based simulations that teach live broadcast production. Students take a production role (technical director, replay operator, audio engineer, graphics operator, or director) and practice it on realistic interfaces with real event footage.
: No. BroadcastSIMS runs in a web browser on computers, laptops, and Chromebooks, so a whole class can train at once without a control room.
: No. Every simulation comes with lesson plans, readings, vocabulary, rubrics, and assessments, so a teacher can run the course without building materials from scratch.
: Students build their skills in the simulations, then put them to work running your live games on HometownLive. Your stream gets a trained crew and your students get real broadcast experience.
: BroadcastSIMS is included with the HometownLive All Access package and is available as a $995/year add-on for other plans. It is eligible for Carl D. Perkins CTE funding.