Writing good ticker copy
- One fact per item, under about 80 characters. Viewers catch the ticker from the corner of their eye.
- Lead with the noun: "Council approves…" reads faster than "In a vote this afternoon, the council…".
- Do not repeat what the presenter is saying; the ticker is for the next story or the rest of the news.
- Keep the bar inside title safe; the default position already is.
Ticker, crawl or flipper?
| Type | Motion | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Crawl | Continuous horizontal scroll | Headlines, live events, sports scores |
| Flipper | Items replace each other in place | Market data, election results |
| Static strap | No motion | One key message, such as a phone number or URL |
Name the speaker on screen with the lower-third generator. More terms in the broadcast glossary.
FAQ
How do I add the ticker to OBS?
Click Copy OBS link, add a Browser source in OBS, paste the link and set the size to 1920 × 1080. The page is transparent apart from the ticker bar.
How fast should a ticker move?
Slow enough that a headline can be read twice while it crosses the screen. Around 100–140 pixels per second at 1080p is a comfortable starting point; test it on the screen your audience uses.
Can I update the headlines during a show?
Edit the text here, copy the new link and paste it into the Browser source. If you need live data, the downloaded HTML file is plain HTML and JavaScript that you can extend.
Does it work in vMix or Streamlabs?
Yes. Any software with a web or browser input can load the link. In vMix use a Web Browser input at 1920 × 1080.