For Immediate Release
Nebraska Public Media Premieres Behind-the-Scenes Look at Local Sports Coverage
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nov. 17, 2025) – Ever wonder what it takes to capture every buzzer-beater, every comeback and every unforgettable moment of high school, collegiate and professional sporting events – and deliver live coverage to homes across the state?
“Behind the Scenes of Nebraska Public Media Sports” pulls back the curtain, pointing the camera at the network’s own crew and the high-stakes, high-pressure game of live television. The new local sports documentary premieres at 7 p.m. CT on Sunday, Nov. 30, on Nebraska Public Media, with live streaming on Facebook and YouTube exclusively during the broadcast premiere.
Each year Nebraska Public Media broadcasts more than 200 hours of local sports. Work begins long before game time as a dedicated team of producers, camera operators, audio professionals, directors and network engineers work behind the scenes to prepare.
“We don't just show up and unpack a tripod and plug in a camera. It takes days, weeks, sometimes even months of planning for some of these events,” said Austin Sage, a production engineer for Nebraska Public Media.
High school football games present some of the biggest challenges, and highlights from several championship games are featured in the program. “It's just a massive undertaking to be able to do six football games across two days with the number of cameras and resources that we have to put into this,” said Director of Television and Digital Production Gavin Felix.
Nebraska Public Media is one of only a few public television stations in the country delivering live sports coverage to audiences. The high-tech equipment, remote production truck, staff and years of experience all cost money, but the network is committed to serving local communities and highlighting the accomplishments of student-athletes from across Nebraska.
High school football games present some of the biggest challenges, and highlights from several championship games are featured in the program. “It's just a massive undertaking to be able to do six football games across two days with the number of cameras and resources that we have to put into this,” said Director of Television and Digital Production Gavin Felix.
Nebraska Public Media is one of only a few public television stations in the country delivering live sports coverage to audiences. The high-tech equipment, remote production truck, staff and years of experience all cost money, but the network is committed to serving local communities and highlighting the accomplishments of student-athletes from across Nebraska.
“We're storytellers first and foremost. So we're not only covering the game as it unfolds, but we're trying to tell stories about the players and the individuals who are part of those teams,” said Felix.
“Behind the Scenes of Nebraska Public Media Sports” will walk viewers through the local sports production process, highlighting the technical team members who work long hours in the studio, control room and outdoors in all sorts of unpredictable Nebraska weather.
“It is special that we have as many of our championships on statewide television as we do,” said Jeff Stauss, assistant director of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA), Nebraska Public Media’s longtime partner for championship coverage of high school sports.
“Behind the Scenes of Nebraska Public Media Sports” repeats on Nebraska Public Media at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and at 9:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, Dec. 6. Learn more about the program by visiting the website at NebraskaPublicMedia.org/behindthescenes.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Rogers, 402-470-6512
About Nebraska Public Media
Nebraska Public Media has connected citizens with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans on television, radio, online, social media and mobile apps. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.