NEW YORK, NY — CBS Television Studios and the broadcast community are mourning the loss of Billy Baggett, a highly respected audio engineer whose career spanned over four decades, including more than 25 years at CBS. Baggett passed away in June 2025, leaving behind a legacy of technical mastery, dedication, and a deep love for the craft of audio engineering.
Baggett’s long tenure at CBS Television Studios began in 2000, where he quickly became an integral part of operations at the network’s Control Room 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Known for his steady presence, collaborative spirit, and unparalleled ear for sound, Baggett was considered a cornerstone of the engineering team, contributing to some of the most significant sports and entertainment broadcasts in network history.
“Billy was the kind of professional everyone wanted on their team,” said a CBS colleague. “He was calm under pressure, meticulous in his work, and always willing to share his knowledge. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”
A proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) since 1989, Baggett brought both union pride and technical excellence to every job he undertook. His career in professional audio began even earlier, with stints at several notable New York-based production companies, including KVL Audio/Visual, Douboy Productions, and Betelgeuse Productions, starting as early as 1984.
Baggett’s expertise earned him national recognition in 2013, when Sports Video Group profiled his work during CBS’s coverage of the US Open Tennis Championships, a broadcast tradition the network had held since 1968. The feature highlighted Baggett’s mastery of capturing the dynamic sounds of the court, using an array of Sennheiser 816 shotgun microphones to follow the rapid-fire pace of tennis play with precision.
His technical foundation was built early. Baggett earned a certificate in RF Communications and Equipment from the U.S. Navy, which instilled in him a sense of discipline and technical rigor. He later continued his education at Devry Technical Institute and Sony Broadcast, both of which further sharpened his skills and prepared him for the rapidly evolving world of broadcast media.
In addition to his professional achievements, Baggett was deeply respected for his mentorship of younger engineers, always eager to pass along what he’d learned over decades in the industry. Whether mixing live tennis, troubleshooting complex audio paths, or lending a hand in the control room, Billy’s presence was reassuring and his contributions immeasurable.
As CBS and the wider media community reflect on his passing, tributes have begun pouring in from colleagues, friends, and fellow engineers who worked alongside him over the years. His work, though often behind the scenes, was vital to the success of countless broadcasts — and his absence will be felt profoundly.