What to Look For When Choosing a TV Production Company

Commissioning a TV production company — whether for a news segment, a documentary, a corporate broadcast, or a live event — is a significant investment. Choosing the wrong company can mean missed deadlines, substandard footage, or technical failures that can’t be fixed in post. Here’s what to look for.

Broadcast Technical Standards

Not all “video production companies” produce broadcast-quality content. Confirm that the company shoots with professional broadcast cameras (not mirrorless stills cameras or consumer video cameras), records in broadcast-compliant codecs, and can deliver to your technical specifications — whether that’s an MXF file for a broadcast editor, an MP4 for a streaming platform, or an SDI feed for a live broadcast.

For live transmission specifically, ask whether they use professional cellular bonding equipment (such as LiveU) or satellite — and what their backup plan is if the primary connection fails.

Relevant Experience — Not Just General Experience

A company with ten years of corporate video experience is not necessarily equipped to handle a live news broadcast. And vice versa. Ask to see examples that are specifically comparable to your project — same format, similar environment, similar broadcast destination. If they can’t show you relevant examples, that’s a significant risk signal.

Crew Quality, Not Just Company Reputation

In video production, the company name matters less than the actual operators who will be on your shoot. Ask specifically who will be assigned to your production and what their background is. A reputable company that sends a junior crew to your shoot is a worse outcome than a smaller company that sends their most experienced operator.

Insurance and Compliance

Any professional production company working in broadcast should carry public liability insurance and, if they operate drones or work in sensitive locations, the relevant permits and certifications. Ask for proof before the shoot — particularly if you’re commissioning work at a public event, a government facility, or a location with specific access requirements.

Clear Contracts and Deliverable Specs

Before any money changes hands, ensure the contract specifies: shoot dates and times, exact deliverables (format, resolution, duration), revision rounds included, delivery deadline, payment terms, and who owns the footage. Vague contracts lead to disputes about whether an additional edit round is included or whether the raw footage is yours to keep.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No itemised quote — a single lump sum with no breakdown makes it impossible to compare or negotiate
• No examples of comparable work — general showreels are not the same as relevant experience
• Reluctance to confirm who specifically will be on the shoot
• No mention of a backup plan for live transmission
• Delivery timelines that seem unrealistically fast or slow

Professional TV and Broadcast Production Across Europe

CamJo24 provides professional news and TV production services across Europe, with experienced broadcast crews, LiveU transmission capability, and transparent, itemised quotes. See who we’ve worked with →

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