What Are HTML Graphics and Why Every Broadcaster Should Utilize Them?

HTML graphics use open web technologies to create broadcasting graphics flexibly, securely, and cost-effectively. They bridge the gap between traditional broadcast needs and modern digital capabilities.

The term broadcast graphics refers to all visual elements layered over video or embedded within a broadcast. These can be static, animated, real-time, or even interactive.

Broadcast graphics serve as visual communication layers in video and live content, enabling producers to present information efficiently and engagingly. These elements ranging from text overlays and lower thirds to motion graphics and interactivity are key to guiding viewers, reinforcing messaging, and maintaining a consistent visual identity.

HTML graphics use open web technologies instead of closed, manufacturer-specific systems. Because the solution is browser-based, it offers great flexibility and can be deployed rapidly. Traditional broadcast graphics, in contrast, are often more limited in customizability and require dedicated software.

In this article, we deep dive into the world of graphics and HTML.

What types of broadcast graphics are there?

Let’s break it down and look at what these elements actually are.

Perhaps the most obvious examples are text overlays. You’ve likely seen a TV interview where the interviewee’s name, title, or hometown appears on the screen. These are typically created using HTML graphics and include elements like lower thirds, titles, and credits. They deliver essential information in a clean and unobtrusive way.

Graphics can also take the form of dynamic visual elements, such as animated logos, transitions, and effects that add polish and professionalism. On the other hand, they can be static or animated images and logos that reinforce branding and offer visual context to the content.

Another important use of broadcast graphics is for data visualization: through charts, graphs, and other visual formats that help communicate complex information in an accessible and engaging manner.

So, what are broadcast graphics best used for?

In news broadcasts, they help present breaking news, headlines, and weather updates with clarity and immediacy.

In sports events, they enhance the experience by displaying live scoreboards, player statistics, and game summaries all in real time.

In other live productions, such as events or webinars, graphics play a key role in elevating presentations. Lower thirds, titles, bullet points, and even interactive elements help maintain viewer attention and clarify the message being delivered.

Beyond these use cases, broadcast graphics are also valuable in entertainment and cultural programming. Reality shows, concerts, and award ceremonies frequently use animated transitions, voting mechanics, and live social media integrations.

In short, broadcast graphics serve as a bridge between content and audience, ensuring that information is delivered not only accurately but also in a visually compelling way. They transform raw video into a polished production that informs, guides, and captivates viewers across different contexts.

HTML graphics – what’s that?

HTML-based graphics leverage standard web technologies, like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SVG, to create dynamic, real-time visuals that render in browsers or compatible graphics engines. Unlike proprietary solutions that require specialized software and plugins, these graphics can be built using familiar web development tools and frameworks that many developers already know.

The technology excels at creating animated, interactive graphics that can pull live data from various sources. For example, a sports scoreboard can automatically update scores via API calls, while news graphics can display real-time social media feeds or election results. CSS animations and JavaScript provide smooth transitions and effects that rival traditional broadcast graphics packages.

Traditional proprietary graphics systems, while powerful, often create silos within production workflows. They typically require specialized knowledge, expensive licensing, and dedicated hardware. When changes are needed, they often require going back to the original creator or vendor, creating bottlenecks in fast-moving production environments.

In contrast, HTML-based graphics can be modified by anyone with web development skills, making them ideal for newsrooms and production facilities that need to quickly adapt graphics for breaking news or last-minute changes. The same graphics package can be easily customized for different shows, regions, or brands by simply modifying CSS variables or configuration files.

Why HTML graphics?

1. Flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness

When graphics are created in the cloud, many additional costs are eliminated, from hardware investments to infrastructure maintenance. The cloud also makes collaboration more efficient, as production teams no longer need to be tied to a specific physical location. In addition, HTML graphics are flexible and agile, enabling rapid reactions and instant changes.

2. Comprehensive features and integrations

Through the web, it is also possible to build versatile integrations between different platforms. At the same time, HTML enables data processing in the background. In practice, this means that in a sports event, for example, statistics, results, and even betting-related data can be brought onto the screen with minimal delay. This way, graphics are no longer just pre-produced and static.

3. Localization and personalization

With the cloud, it is possible to create multiple versions of the same broadcast and, as a result, personalize feeds. This can mean, for example, graphics customized by country. In such cases, graphics may be displayed in different languages, while the actual content remains the same for all viewers.

Similarly, HTML graphics make it possible to add interactivity through various mechanics that support polls or quizzes embedded directly into the broadcast.

4. Secure in multiple ways

Purchasing HTML graphics often means adopting a SaaS (Software as a Service) model, ensuring that users always have access to support and up-to-date versions. Since the service operates online, updates happen automatically.

In addition, an HTTPS-secured page ensures that all operations are protected with the necessary security. Technologies can be isolated, encrypted, and managed just like any other modern application. This makes them a reliable choice even for professional broadcasts.

SPX Graphics leading the way

Our newest partner, SPX Graphics, is a perfect example of how to utilize HTML graphics comprehensively. Their solution is a free, open source, graphics controller based on web technologies, very capable HTML5 rendering and an open system architecture to enable professional live graphics for everybody.

Moreover, SPX Graphics is an open ecosystem that is a powerful and cost effective alternative to proprietary ​and closed graphics systems.​​​​

Their solutions are a perfect example of how HTML graphics represent a fundamental shift in how broadcast visuals are designed, delivered, and integrated into modern production environments. 

By leveraging open web standards such as HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and SVG, broadcasters gain a graphics solution that is hardware-agnostic, cloud-ready, and highly adaptable to evolving workflows. The ability to integrate live data sources through APIs, render in real time with minimal latency, and support responsive, interactive elements makes HTML graphics not just a replacement for traditional systems, but a superior alternative. 

For broadcasters seeking to optimize scalability, reduce operational complexity, and future-proof their infrastructure, HTML graphics are no longer optional – they are essential.