The annual charity livestream Desert Bus for Hope relied on Blackmagic Design’s ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD switcher to broadcast its 16th event on Twitch. The telethon raised over $1.18 million, contributing to a lifetime total of more than $9 million for Child’s Play Charity.
Seamless Broadcast Operations
Founded in 2007 by internet comedy group LoadingReadyRun, Desert Bus for Hope combines gaming and humor to benefit children's hospitals worldwide. The event features live auctions, giveaways, celebrity guests, and audience interaction while playing the unreleased video game “Desert Bus.” This year’s stream lasted over 166 hours.
Johnny Blakeborough, broadcast producer for Desert Bus for Hope, noted that using the ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD switcher ensured minimal downtime. “Having dedicated hardware for camera switching meant we could run the show seamlessly,” he explained. “This is crucial for a seven-day, 24-hour livestream.”
Efficient Setup and Clean Workflow
The team rebuilt their set annually due to lack of a permanent studio space. This year, they opted for an all-SDI setup, simplifying cable management with the ATEM’s SDI inputs and outputs. Blakeborough added, “Our cables were hidden behind our televisions and powered via USB, making the build faster and cleaner.”
Andrew Ferguson, communications director, echoed this sentiment. “With a rock solid SDI workflow, we were ready to go quicker and earlier,” he said. “This extra time allowed us to focus on creative content rather than troubleshooting technology.”
Versatile SuperSource Feature
Desert Bus for Hope utilized the ATEM’s SuperSource feature to create dynamic picture-in-picture displays, accommodating multiple video sources simultaneously. Blakeborough commented, “Being able to send different video sources wherever we wanted on our screen made the show look more professional.”
The team also used a Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K as the main camera and a Studio Camera 4K for wide-angle shots. Blakeborough praised the cameras’ image quality and ease of integration with the switcher, noting, “We could adjust lighting or color via the switcher without taking the cameras offline.”
Ferguson concluded by highlighting the overall quality and stability of their Blackmagic Design workflow. “This setup allowed us to put on the most complex, stable, and professional show Desert Bus for Hope has ever seen,” he stated.