The Flypack Advantage: How Production Teams Are Delivering Broadcast Quality Without the Overhead

Imagine this scenario:

Your production team needs broadcast-quality output at a venue with no infrastructure, a tight budget, and a two-day setup window. Because of these constraints, a full OB truck is too much, and a basic streaming kit just won’t cut it.

The solution to this problem is already in place, ready to fly. The mobile unit and custom flypack solution was designed specifically for scenarios like this one, and the teams that know how to build and deploy them correctly are winning productions that broadcast trucks can’t reach.

In January, BMG used a flypack to produce IMDb’s Sundance Film Festival. This event had limited space, shared production environments, and tight load-in windows, making traditional production footprints difficult to manage. Only two crew members were needed on-site, while the director, TD, graphics, audio, engineering, and transmission teams operated out of our NOC, making this production cost-effective without sacrificing quality.

What a Broadcast Flypack Actually Is

A flypack is a self-contained, portable broadcast production system. They can be built into rack-mounted cases or road cases that can be transported by air, ground, or hand and quickly deployed at any venue.

Inside a purpose-built flypack, you’ll find:

• Production switcher
• Multiviewer and monitoring
• Audio console
• Graphics and replay systems
• Encoding and streaming output
• Intercom and IFB

A flypack is different from a basic streaming kit; it replicates the full functionality of a control room, not a stripped-down substitute. With a flypack, your broadcast will have a smaller footprint without compromising the production.

Where the Flypack Wins

Trucks are standard for live production, but the flypack outperforms the truck when:

• The venue is remote or access-restricted: A truck won’t be able to park there, but a flypack can be carried in
• The event schedule is tight: Flypacks can be deployed in hours, while a truck requires you to be on-site the day or days before the production
• The budget doesn’t support full Outside Broadcast (OB): Flypack production costs far less than a full track day rate, while still giving you broadcast-level output quality
• You need to cover multiple locations in a short window: Flypack cases can be moved quickly, while trucks require time to be repositioned
• The client needs a clean, low-profile production footprint: Having a truck on the lot can send the wrong signal for certain events, such as corporate events, fashion shows, or private venues

Here at BMG, our production team has experience deploying flypacks for productions of all kinds: Sports events, enterprise corporate video production events, entertainment productions, and enterprise live events in arenas, ballrooms, and field locations. In all of these productions, trucks weren’t an option, but we maintained the quality these events required.

What Separates a Good Flypack From a Great One

The hardware in flypacks is important, but the design is what truly separates a good flypack from a great one.

This is what makes a flypack production-ready rather than just portable:

• Redundancy built in: Dual encoders, backup power, and redundant signal paths are at the top-of-mind when designing a flypack, not just afterthoughts
• Cable management and labeling: A flypack that’s deployed under pressure by a lean crew must be able to self-document
• Pre-tested and pre-configured: All show files, I/O maps, and failover paths must be tested before the case is closed, so everything works when you’re live
• Scalability: Modular flypacks can be scaled up or down for any event without needing a full rebuild

The best flypacks seem simple to deploy because they were carefully designed to work flawlessly, every time.

Closing Thoughts

The flypack isn’t a backup plan or a budget compromise. In the right situation, it’s the smarter, faster, and more flexible production choice.

BMG designs, builds, and deploys custom flypack systems for broadcast, sports, and live entertainment clients. Our flypacks are engineered specifically for the demands of each production; they aren’t just pulled from a shelf.

Need a mobile unit and custom flypack solution built for your next production? Talk to BMG’s team.