What is Wirecast?
Telestream Wirecast is professional live streaming production software for macOS and Windows. It supports multiple camera inputs, screen capture, NDI sources, built-in titling, ISO recording, and RTMP output to any streaming platform. Wirecast comes in two editions: Studio (~$599) and Pro (~$799), with Pro adding features like multi-bitrate output and unlimited NDI inputs.
Wirecast is widely used in sports, education, corporate streaming, and houses of worship. It's favoured for its intuitive mixing interface, robust connectivity options, and reliability for live events. Both editions support custom RTMP server destinations, making it ideal for connecting to LIGR's graphics overlay pipeline.
What You Will Need
- Telestream Wirecast (Studio or Pro) installed and running on macOS or Windows
- A LIGR Live account — sign up free at ligr.live
- A match or event configured in LIGR (graphics theme, data source, sponsors)
- Stable internet connection with sufficient upload bandwidth (minimum 5 Mbps; 8-10 Mbps recommended)
Step-by-Step: Connecting Wirecast to LIGR
Set Up Your Match in LIGR
Log in to LIGR Live and create a new match in your Control Room. Select your graphics theme, connect your data source (LIGR LiveScore for manual scoreboard updates, or an automated data feed), and configure sponsor overlays and branding.
Enable GFX & Stream Mode
In your LIGR match settings, switch to GFX & Stream mode. This tells LIGR to accept an incoming RTMP video stream as the base layer and overlay your configured graphics, scoreboard, and sponsor ads in real time.
Copy Your LIGR RTMP Credentials
LIGR generates a unique RTMP URL and Stream Key for this match. Copy both — you will paste these into Wirecast s Output Settings.
Configure Wirecast Output Settings
Open Wirecast Output Settings (File > Settings on Windows, or Wirecast > Preferences on macOS). Navigate to the Outputs tab and click Add Output. Select RTMP Server as the output type. Enter LIGR as the server name and paste your LIGR RTMP URL (the full rtmp:// address) into the Server URL field.
Add Your Stream Key
Paste your LIGR Stream Key into the Stream Key field in Wirecast. This key authenticates your stream to LIGR and ensures the video lands in the correct match. Save the output configuration.
Start Your Wirecast Production
Build your Wirecast broadcast as normal — add camera inputs, graphics, overlays, transitions, and any other production elements. Once you are ready, click Start Broadcasting to begin streaming to LIGR. The RTMP feed will push your entire Wirecast mix (video + audio) to LIGR in real time.
Operate Graphics or Automate with Game Plans
Once your Wirecast feed lands in LIGR, operate graphics live from the LIGR Control Room — update scores, swap sponsor ads, trigger highlights, change overlays. Or use LIGR Game Plans to automate the entire workflow: pre-game graphics, live scoring triggers, sponsor playlists, and post-match content, all running without an operator.
Stream Out to Multiple Platforms
LIGR pushes the combined feed (Wirecast video + LIGR graphics) to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, your website, or any RTMP destination. Multi-stream simultaneously to reach your entire audience from one unified output.
What LIGR Adds to Your Wirecast Stream
Broadcast-Quality Graphics
Professional scoreboards, lower thirds, team lineups, match clocks, and animated transitions — fully customisable with LIGR Fuse and Rive.
Live Scoring & Data Integration
Update scores in real time via the LIGR LiveScore mobile app or connect automated data feeds. Every event triggers instant graphic updates.
Sponsor Monetisation
Automated sponsor ad playlists with impression tracking. Turn every broadcast into a revenue opportunity without manual ad insertion.
Auto-Generated Highlights
LIGR creates highlight clips from key match moments — ready for social media, club channels, and post-match packages.
Multi-Platform Streaming
Stream simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, DAZN, or your own website — all from one unified LIGR output.
Full Automation with Game Plans
LIGR Game Plans run the entire broadcast autonomously — graphics, ads, highlights, and streaming — zero operators needed.
Why Stream from Wirecast to LIGR?
Wirecast gives you professional production control — multiple camera mixing, transitions, built-in graphics, and reliable RTMP output. But Wirecast s built-in graphics are designed for general streaming, not sports broadcast automation. Without a dedicated sports production layer, your broadcast lacks real-time scoring overlays, automated sponsor ads, highlight generation, and multi-platform distribution.
LIGR is the production layer that transforms your Wirecast mix into a professional sports broadcast. Together, Wirecast + LIGR create a complete broadcast pipeline: you handle the live production switching (Wirecast), LIGR handles graphics automation, scoring, sponsorship, and multi-platform output. The result is a TV-quality broadcast with zero manual graphics operators.
| Feature | Wirecast + LIGR | Wirecast Alone |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Camera Mixing | ✓ Wirecast handles live switching | ✓ Full control |
| Sports Graphics Overlays | ✓ LIGR scoreboards, lower thirds, animations | ✗ Generic overlays only |
| Live Scoring Updates | ✓ Real-time via LiveScore app | ✗ Manual text overlay only |
| Sponsor Revenue | ✓ Automated ad playlists & tracking | ✗ No ad automation |
| Highlight Clips | ✓ Auto-generated from events | ✗ Manual post-production |
| Multi-Platform Output | ✓ YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, DAZN, etc. | ✗ Single output per stream |
| Operator Required | ✓ One camera operator only (Wirecast) | Requires camera + graphics operators |
Tips and Troubleshooting
Multi-Output Streaming
Wirecast Pro supports multiple simultaneous RTMP outputs. You can stream to LIGR and also directly to YouTube or Facebook in parallel. However, for a unified graphics and sponsor experience, streaming exclusively to LIGR and then multi-streaming from LIGR is the recommended approach.
ISO Recording
Use Wirecast Pro s ISO recording feature to capture individual camera feeds separately while you stream the main mix to LIGR. This gives you multi-angle footage for post-production highlight creation and archive purposes.
Encoder Settings & Bitrate
Configure your Wirecast encoder to match your available upload bandwidth. A stable 5–8 Mbps bitrate works well for sports broadcasts. Monitor your connection in Wirecast — if the stream drops or buffers, reduce bitrate or increase upload bandwidth.
Network Stability
Use a wired ethernet connection if possible. Wi-Fi can work, but live streaming is sensitive to packet loss and jitter. If broadcasting from a venue with poor connectivity, consider a mobile hotspot or cellular uplink as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stream from Wirecast to LIGR?
Create a match in LIGR, enable GFX & Stream mode, copy your RTMP credentials, and add them as a custom RTMP server in Wirecast Output Settings. Start broadcasting and LIGR handles the graphics overlay.
Can I add scoreboards and sponsor ads to my Wirecast broadcast?
Yes. Stream your Wirecast production to LIGR via RTMP, and LIGR overlays professional scoreboards, sponsor ads, lower thirds, and animated graphics on top of your broadcast in real time.
Does Wirecast support custom RTMP server destinations?
Yes. Both Wirecast Studio and Wirecast Pro support custom RTMP server output. You can stream to LIGR, YouTube, Facebook, or any RTMP-compatible platform.
How do I monetise my Wirecast live streams?
Stream your Wirecast production to LIGR and use automated sponsor overlay playlists with impression tracking. Generate revenue from every broadcast without manual ad insertion.
What is the best graphics overlay platform for Wirecast?
LIGR is a cloud-native broadcast graphics overlay platform purpose-built for live sports. It connects to Wirecast via RTMP and provides TV-quality graphics, automation, multi-platform output, and full API integration.
Add Professional Graphics to Your Wirecast Broadcasts
Stream from Wirecast to LIGR and add broadcast-quality scoreboards, sponsor revenue, and automated production — all with zero extra operators.
Get Started Free at LIGR