8/12/21 Edition

2021-22 Webcasting Handbook

NSIC Network Handbook Marketing and Branding for the 2021-2022 Academic Year OFFICIAL NETWORK NAME The primary name will be The NSIC Network. It can also be referred to as NSIC Network.

CONSISTENT CONFERENCE/ SCHOOL IDENTITY It is imperative to create a consistent look across all of conference broadcasts to ensure viewers recognize they are watching The NSIC Network. Therefore, the NSIC Network logo should be included as a watermark on the top left or bottom left corner of each broadcast. If a TV Broadcast does not allow this, please contact the NSIC.

THE NSIC NETWORK MARKETING/ ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Each member institution will sell and retain all revenue related to static advertising on their respective portal and any in-broadcast content (i.e. commercial spots, billboards, etc.) The NSIC office will work with poten- tial advertisers/current sponsors to identify opportunities for conference championships broadcasts and for potential distribution across each of the member institutions’ portals where advertiser conflicts do not exist. BlueFrame also offers national ads in Production Truck that will generate revenue for schools, please con- tact BlueFrame to learn more about this feature.

Where TO watch The NSIC Network Online (World Wide Web) www.NSICNetwork.com -Computer users can output their display directly to an HDMI signal if supported, otherwise a converter may be required.

Over-The-Top Apps (OTT-TV Apps) Search: “NSIC” or “NSIC Network” on a Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV device -Apple users and owners of an AppleTV device can simply ‘throw’ the webcast from their iPhone or iPad using the ‘AirPlay’ feature.

Mobile Devices (Phone App) Search: “NSIC” or “NSIC Network” - App Available For iOS and Android Users -Device should be kept up to date and connected to a reliable data connection for optimal playback.

Free-To-eview All NSIC webcasts will be free to view to the public.

General Questions and Support Issues For technical questions or troubleshooting questions regarding an issue with the NSIC Network stream, con- tact the BlueFrame Technology support team via email: [email protected] or phone (859.215.7979).

For general questions regarding advertising/sponsorship opportunities on The NSIC Network please contact: Andy Sailer NSIC Assistant Commissioner - Marketing Email: [email protected] | Phone: (952) 378-1694

NSIC Network Handbook The NSIC Network Rights and Policies

NOTICE: All live and archived broadcasts of NSIC Championships are the exclusive property of the NSIC. Any rebroadcast, retransmission, or other use of NSIC Championship broadcasts without the permission of the NSIC is strictly prohibited. All NSIC Championships webcasts must be streamed through BlueFrame Technology.

The Conference shall retain all multi-media rights to all NSIC Championships contests. Such rights include, but are not limited to: (1) commercial, cable, subscription and any other form of television distribution; (2) web-streaming production and distribution; and (4) any other multi-media options available or hereafter developed.

In any situation in which the conference has a contracted multi-media broadcast package with a broadcast company; the Commissioner shall work with the company to select the contests to be broadcast as a part of this agreement. Those contests will be produced by said company and broadcast on their station and streamed on the NSIC Network.

NSIC Network Handbook PRODUCTION STANDARDS for the 2020-21 Academic Year To meet NSIC Network production standards, the following general and sport specific broadcast expecta- tions must be met by all NSIC member institutions and associate members.

General Broadcast Minimum Expectations: 1. Each member institution is responsible for scheduling their home broadcasts on the NSIC Network portals at least 48 hours before the broadcast.

2. Each member institution is required to begin each broadcast at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the contest. This allows fans to know they have found the right place to watch and allows time for troubleshoot- ing if problems are encountered before a broadcast. Audio should be on mute or use a pre-game show or music/marching band. Please make sure your broadcast team is mindful of a “hot” microphone before the start of a game and during commercials.

3. NSIC Network logo (bug) will be present during live play (where graphics are required) in the top left or bot- tom left corner. It must be at or above 70% transparency and cover 1/8 the width of the screen (240 px on 1920X1080 broadcast). If bug is integrated into a graphic, it must be approved by NSIC Office before use.

Sport Specific Minimum Expectations: The following minimum standards are required for webcasting these sports:

Football Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Score Graphic (score, quarter, time) • Play-by-Play Announcer • Live stats included in portal

Volleyball Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Score bar (Includes set number, set score and match score) • Natural sound (crowd mic) for audio • Live stats included in portal • Broadcast in High Definition

Women’s Soccer Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Score bar (Includes score and period) • Natural sound (crowd mic) for audio • Live stats included in portal

Basketball Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Score Graphic (score, period/quarter, time) • Play-by-Play Announcer • Live stats included in portal • Broadcast in High Definition

Wrestling Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Natural sound for audio • Score bar (Includes teams scores, match score and weight class) • Broadcast in High Definition

Softball Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Score bar (Includes score and inning) • Natural sound (crowd mic) for audio • Live stats included in portal

Baseball Minimums • One camera that is manned and follows action (including zooming in and out if needed)* • Score bar (Includes score and inning) • Natural sound (crowd mic) for audio • Live stats included in portal * An unmanned camera may be used if it captures the action in a satisfactory way NSIC Network Handbook Operations Coverage Expectations It is mandated that each member institution broadcast all home contests in the sports of Football, Volleyball, Women’s Soccer, Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Wrestling, Baseball and Softball. Each school is strongly encouraged to stream as many other sports as possible. (Updated 2021)

If weather/environment does not allow for streaming (risk to equipment) or special circumstances arise, the host school shall inform both the opposing team and NSIC Office as early as possible. (Updated 2021)

Each NSIC Championship should be broadcasted exclusively on The NSIC Network and the host institution is expected to assist the NSIC office in the production of those broadcasts.

Personnel Expectations For Announcers: - Know The Players - Talk With The Communications Staff or Radio Team For Pronunciations of Names - Do Not Criticize The Officials (On The Broadcast or on Social Media) - Promote The Conference Games - Use Social Media or The NSIC Scoreboard to receive scores around the NSIC - Let The Action Describe Itself - Respect The Game and The Opponents

Cameras and Camera Angles If you are only using one camera have it located as close as possible to the center of the court/field in an elevated position. If you are using multiple cameras, keep a camera in the center location and consider it “Camera 1”. A “hero” camera should be set-up alongside, if possible, and be considered as “Camera 2” for close-ups. Additional cameras can be labeled accordingly and used as you see fit. The game camera should show a lot of the game in the frame without showing every single player.

Below are some sport specific examples: Football: Do not show the “All 22”. Show the offensive width and then zoom into the action without getting too close.

Volleyball: Show the entire side the ball is on plus up to the 3-meter line of the defensive front zone. Move the camera towards the center as the play moves toward the net and crosses into the other zone accordingly.

Soccer : Be wide enough to show the options the player with possession has for shots and passes, but do not stress about showing all of the players on the team. Showing half the width in the middle of the field and at least two-thirds on the offensive end is a good measure. Make sure the goal is in frame when within shooting range. When transitioning from the end of the field to the middle, make sure to zoom out a bit when close to the center and then zoom in towards the ends.

Basketball: Show a third of the court but do not worry about showing the corner if nothing is happening there. Let the action fill the frame. Do not move on every pass or shot.The viewer will get “dizzy” if the camera is constantly moving. Let the action stay in and travel around the video frame.

WRESTLING: Stay close to the action but make sure to have enough padding for quick movements to keep the wrestlers in frame at all times.

Baseball/Softball: If using one camera capture the pitcher and batter and as much of the infield as possible. Follow the play and try to capture any plays on the bases. If using two cameras, have one show the batter and pitcher from either a side angle or outfield/behind the plate angle and use the other one to follow the ball or play. In a two camera broadcast, a camera facing out towards the field of play or in from the outfield look- ing toward the field/crowd is encouraged. Be smooth with all camera movements! NSIC Network Handbook Marketing and Branding for the 2021-2022 Academic Year OFFICIAL SCHOOL NAMES

Full Name Shortened Name Abbr. Augustana University Augustana AUGIE Bemidji State University Bemidji State BSU Concordia University, St. Paul Concordia-St. Paul CSP University of Mary UMary UMARY University of Minnesota Crookston Minnesota Crookston UMC University of Minnesota Duluth Minnesota Duluth UMD Minnesota State University, Mankato Minnesota State MSU Minnesota State University Moorhead MSU Moorhead MSUM Minot State University Minot State MISU Northern State University Northern State NSU University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls USF Southwest Minnesota State University Southwest Minnesota State SMSU St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State SCSU Upper Iowa University Upper Iowa UIU Wayne State College Wayne State WSC Winona State University Winona State WSU

NSIC Network Handbook