diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.module.scss b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.module.scss
index 345b3057f..59b67c7f9 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.module.scss
@@ -1,20 +1,43 @@
+@use '@/theme/viewerDefs' as *;
+
 .emptyContainer {
   width: 100%;
   text-align: center;
-  color: $white-10;
+  color: var(--secondary-color-override, $viewer-secondary-color);
 
   .empty {
     display: block;
-    width: min(100%, 24rem);
-    margin-inline: auto;
-    opacity: 0.8;
+    width: min(100%, 14rem);
+    margin: 0 auto -1.5rem;
+    opacity: 0.6;
   }
 
   .text {
     display: block;
     margin-inline: auto;
-    font-weight: 600;
-    font-size: 2em;
-    max-width: min(100%, 600px);
+    font-weight: 400;
+    font-size: clamp(1rem, 1.55vw, 1.5rem);
+    line-height: 1.35;
+    max-width: min(100%, 40rem);
+  }
+
+  &.error {
+    color: $error-red;
+
+    .empty {
+      opacity: 0.35;
+      filter: grayscale(1);
+    }
+
+    .text {
+      margin-top: 0.5rem;
+    }
+  }
+
+  .errorIcon {
+    display: block;
+    width: 1.5rem;
+    height: 1.5rem;
+    margin: -0.125rem auto 0;
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.tsx b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.tsx
index 0e88e2868..d5bad4436 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/Empty.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { CSSProperties } from 'react';
+import { IoWarningOutline } from 'react-icons/io5';
 
 import EmptyImage from '../../../assets/images/empty.svg?react';
 import { cx } from '../../utils/styleUtils';
@@ -9,12 +10,18 @@ interface EmptyProps {
   text?: string;
   injectedStyles?: CSSProperties;
   className?: string;
+  variant?: 'error';
 }
 
-export default function Empty({ text, className, injectedStyles }: EmptyProps) {
+export default function Empty({ text, className, injectedStyles, variant }: EmptyProps) {
   return (
-    <div className={cx([style.emptyContainer, className])} style={injectedStyles}>
+    <div
+      className={cx([style.emptyContainer, variant === 'error' && style.error, className])}
+      style={injectedStyles}
+      role={variant === 'error' ? 'alert' : undefined}
+    >
       <EmptyImage className={style.empty} />
+      {variant === 'error' && <IoWarningOutline className={style.errorIcon} aria-hidden />}
       {text && <span className={style.text}>{text}</span>}
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyFill.module.scss b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyFill.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..368d726dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyFill.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+.fill {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  min-height: 0;
+  flex: 1;
+
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: start center;
+  padding: clamp(4rem, 20dvh, 12rem) 1.5rem 1rem;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyFill.tsx b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyFill.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a676e8469
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyFill.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { cx } from '../../utils/styleUtils';
+import Empty from './Empty';
+
+import style from './EmptyFill.module.scss';
+
+interface EmptyFillProps {
+  text?: string;
+  /** placed on the fill wrapper — e.g. to assign a grid-area in a grid parent */
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+/** Container-filling empty/loading state for panels and grid/flex cells. */
+export default function EmptyFill({ text, className }: EmptyFillProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className={cx([style.fill, className])}>
+      <Empty text={text} />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.module.scss b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.module.scss
index 0f09063e7..d77f39f3a 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.module.scss
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   box-sizing: border-box; /* reset */
   overflow: hidden;
   width: 100%; /* restrict the page width to viewport */
-  height: 100vh;
+  height: 100dvh;
 
   font-family: var(--font-family-override, $viewer-font-family);
   background: var(--background-color-override, $viewer-background-color);
@@ -16,5 +16,6 @@
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   align-items: center;
-  padding-top: 5rem;
+  justify-content: center;
+  padding-block: 5rem;
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.tsx b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.tsx
index b589989e5..7fb843093 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyPage.tsx
@@ -7,12 +7,13 @@ import style from './EmptyPage.module.scss';
 interface EmptyPageProps {
   text?: string;
   injectedStyles?: CSSProperties;
+  variant?: 'error';
 }
 
-export default function EmptyPage({ text, injectedStyles }: EmptyPageProps) {
+export default function EmptyPage({ text, injectedStyles, variant }: EmptyPageProps) {
   return (
     <div className={style.page}>
-      <Empty text={text} injectedStyles={injectedStyles} />
+      <Empty text={text} injectedStyles={injectedStyles} variant={variant} />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.module.scss b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.module.scss
index b2288ffef..969ed4b48 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.module.scss
@@ -15,9 +15,4 @@
     gap: 1rem;
     margin-top: 1em;
   }
-
-  .text {
-    font-weight: 600;
-    font-size: 2em;
-  }
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.tsx b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.tsx
index 0edd2a22c..94cb7aa9b 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/state/EmptyTableBody.tsx
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@ export default function EmptyTableBody({ handleAddNew }: EmptyTableBodyProps) {
     <tbody className={style.emptyContainer}>
       <tr>
         <td colSpan={99} className={style.emptyCell}>
-          <Empty injectedStyles={{ marginTop: '5vh' }} />
-          <span className={style.text}>{text}</span>
+          <Empty text={text} injectedStyles={{ marginTop: '5vh' }} />
           {handleAddNew && (
             <div className={style.inline}>
               <Button onClick={() => handleAddNew(SupportedEntry.Event)} variant='primary' size='large'>
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/operator/Operator.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/operator/Operator.tsx
index c79abe4ba..f1b6ffc41 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/operator/Operator.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/operator/Operator.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { OntimeView, isOntimeEvent, isOntimeGroup } from 'ontime-types';
 import { Fragment, useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 
+import EmptyFill from '../../common/components/state/EmptyFill';
 import EmptyPage from '../../common/components/state/EmptyPage';
 import ViewParamsEditor from '../../common/components/view-params-editor/ViewParamsEditor';
 import useFollowComponent from '../../common/hooks/useFollowComponent';
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ import { cx } from '../../common/utils/styleUtils';
 import { throttle } from '../../common/utils/throttle';
 import { getDefaultFormat } from '../../common/utils/time';
 import { isTouchDevice } from '../../externals';
+import { useTranslation } from '../../translation/TranslationProvider';
 import Loader from '../../views/common/loader/Loader';
 import CustomFieldEditModal from './custom-field-edit-modal/CustomFieldEditModal';
 import FollowButton from './follow-button/FollowButton';
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ export default function OperatorLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <Operator {...data} />;
@@ -43,6 +45,7 @@ export default function OperatorLoader() {
 
 function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: OperatorData) {
   const selectedEventId = useSelectedEventId();
+  const { getLocalizedString } = useTranslation();
   const { subscribe, mainSource, secondarySource, shouldEdit, hidePast, showStart } = useOperatorOptions();
 
   const [showEditPrompt, setShowEditPrompt] = useState(false);
@@ -113,6 +116,7 @@ function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: Operator
   const operatorOptions = useMemo(() => getOperatorOptions(customFields, defaultFormat), [customFields, defaultFormat]);
 
   const canEdit = shouldEdit && subscribe.length;
+  const hasEvents = rundown.order.length > 0;
 
   return (
     <div className={style.operatorContainer} data-testid='operator-view'>
@@ -127,117 +131,121 @@ function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: Operator
         </div>
       )}
 
-      <div className={style.operatorEvents} onWheel={handleScroll} onTouchMove={handleScroll} ref={scrollRef}>
-        {rundown.order.map((entryId) => {
-          const entry = rundown.entries[entryId];
-          if (isOntimeEvent(entry)) {
-            const { isPast, isLinkedToLoaded, isLoaded, totalGap } = rundownMetadata[entryId];
-            // hide past events (if setting) and skipped events
-            if ((hidePast && isPast) || entry.skip) {
-              return null;
-            }
+      {!hasEvents ? (
+        <EmptyFill text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} />
+      ) : (
+        <div className={style.operatorEvents} onWheel={handleScroll} onTouchMove={handleScroll} ref={scrollRef}>
+          {rundown.order.map((entryId) => {
+            const entry = rundown.entries[entryId];
+            if (isOntimeEvent(entry)) {
+              const { isPast, isLinkedToLoaded, isLoaded, totalGap } = rundownMetadata[entryId];
+              // hide past events (if setting) and skipped events
+              if ((hidePast && isPast) || entry.skip) {
+                return null;
+              }
 
-            const { mainField, secondaryField, subscribedData } = getEventData(
-              entry,
-              mainSource,
-              secondarySource,
-              subscribe,
-              customFields,
-            );
+              const { mainField, secondaryField, subscribedData } = getEventData(
+                entry,
+                mainSource,
+                secondarySource,
+                subscribe,
+                customFields,
+              );
 
-            return (
-              <OperatorEvent
-                key={entry.id}
-                id={entry.id}
-                colour={entry.colour}
-                cue={entry.cue}
-                main={mainField}
-                secondary={secondaryField}
-                timeStart={entry.timeStart}
-                duration={entry.duration}
-                delay={entry.delay}
-                dayOffset={entry.dayOffset}
-                isLinkedToLoaded={isLinkedToLoaded}
-                isSelected={isLoaded}
-                isPast={isPast}
-                selectedRef={isLoaded ? selectedRef : undefined}
-                showStart={showStart}
-                subscribed={subscribedData}
-                totalGap={totalGap}
-                onLongPress={canEdit ? handleEdit : () => undefined}
-              />
-            );
-          }
-
-          if (isOntimeGroup(entry)) {
-            const { isPast } = rundownMetadata[entry.id];
-
-            const isCurrentParent = selectedEventId ? rundownMetadata[selectedEventId]?.groupId === entry.id : false;
-
-            if (hidePast && isPast && !isCurrentParent) {
-              return null;
-            }
-
-            return (
-              <Fragment key={entry.id}>
-                <OperatorGroup
+              return (
+                <OperatorEvent
                   key={entry.id}
-                  title={entry.title}
+                  id={entry.id}
                   colour={entry.colour}
-                  count={entry.entries.length}
+                  cue={entry.cue}
+                  main={mainField}
+                  secondary={secondaryField}
+                  timeStart={entry.timeStart}
                   duration={entry.duration}
+                  delay={entry.delay}
+                  dayOffset={entry.dayOffset}
+                  isLinkedToLoaded={isLinkedToLoaded}
+                  isSelected={isLoaded}
+                  isPast={isPast}
+                  selectedRef={isLoaded ? selectedRef : undefined}
+                  showStart={showStart}
+                  subscribed={subscribedData}
+                  totalGap={totalGap}
+                  onLongPress={canEdit ? handleEdit : () => undefined}
                 />
-                {entry.entries.map((nestedEntryId) => {
-                  const nestedEntry = rundown.entries[nestedEntryId];
-                  if (!isOntimeEvent(nestedEntry)) {
-                    return null;
-                  }
+              );
+            }
 
-                  const { isPast, isLoaded, isLinkedToLoaded, totalGap } = rundownMetadata[nestedEntryId];
+            if (isOntimeGroup(entry)) {
+              const { isPast } = rundownMetadata[entry.id];
 
-                  // hide past events (if setting) and skipped events
-                  if ((hidePast && isPast) || nestedEntry.skip) {
-                    return null;
-                  }
+              const isCurrentParent = selectedEventId ? rundownMetadata[selectedEventId]?.groupId === entry.id : false;
 
-                  const { mainField, secondaryField, subscribedData } = getEventData(
-                    nestedEntry,
-                    mainSource,
-                    secondarySource,
-                    subscribe,
-                    customFields,
-                  );
+              if (hidePast && isPast && !isCurrentParent) {
+                return null;
+              }
 
-                  return (
-                    <OperatorEvent
-                      key={nestedEntry.id}
-                      id={nestedEntry.id}
-                      colour={nestedEntry.colour}
-                      cue={nestedEntry.cue}
-                      main={mainField}
-                      secondary={secondaryField}
-                      timeStart={nestedEntry.timeStart}
-                      duration={nestedEntry.duration}
-                      delay={nestedEntry.delay}
-                      dayOffset={nestedEntry.dayOffset}
-                      isLinkedToLoaded={isLinkedToLoaded}
-                      isSelected={isLoaded}
-                      isPast={isPast}
-                      groupColour={entry.colour}
-                      selectedRef={isLoaded ? selectedRef : undefined}
-                      showStart={showStart}
-                      subscribed={subscribedData}
-                      totalGap={totalGap}
-                      onLongPress={canEdit ? handleEdit : () => undefined}
-                    />
-                  );
-                })}
-              </Fragment>
-            );
-          }
-          return null;
-        })}
-      </div>
+              return (
+                <Fragment key={entry.id}>
+                  <OperatorGroup
+                    key={entry.id}
+                    title={entry.title}
+                    colour={entry.colour}
+                    count={entry.entries.length}
+                    duration={entry.duration}
+                  />
+                  {entry.entries.map((nestedEntryId) => {
+                    const nestedEntry = rundown.entries[nestedEntryId];
+                    if (!isOntimeEvent(nestedEntry)) {
+                      return null;
+                    }
+
+                    const { isPast, isLoaded, isLinkedToLoaded, totalGap } = rundownMetadata[nestedEntryId];
+
+                    // hide past events (if setting) and skipped events
+                    if ((hidePast && isPast) || nestedEntry.skip) {
+                      return null;
+                    }
+
+                    const { mainField, secondaryField, subscribedData } = getEventData(
+                      nestedEntry,
+                      mainSource,
+                      secondarySource,
+                      subscribe,
+                      customFields,
+                    );
+
+                    return (
+                      <OperatorEvent
+                        key={nestedEntry.id}
+                        id={nestedEntry.id}
+                        colour={nestedEntry.colour}
+                        cue={nestedEntry.cue}
+                        main={mainField}
+                        secondary={secondaryField}
+                        timeStart={nestedEntry.timeStart}
+                        duration={nestedEntry.duration}
+                        delay={nestedEntry.delay}
+                        dayOffset={nestedEntry.dayOffset}
+                        isLinkedToLoaded={isLinkedToLoaded}
+                        isSelected={isLoaded}
+                        isPast={isPast}
+                        groupColour={entry.colour}
+                        selectedRef={isLoaded ? selectedRef : undefined}
+                        showStart={showStart}
+                        subscribed={subscribedData}
+                        totalGap={totalGap}
+                        onLongPress={canEdit ? handleEdit : () => undefined}
+                      />
+                    );
+                  })}
+                </Fragment>
+              );
+            }
+            return null;
+          })}
+        </div>
+      )}
       <FollowButton isVisible={lockAutoScroll} onClickHandler={handleOffset} />
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/rundown/RundownList.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/rundown/RundownList.tsx
index 5718a8ea1..86d80906b 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/rundown/RundownList.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/rundown/RundownList.tsx
@@ -1,19 +1,24 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 
-import Empty from '../../common/components/state/Empty';
+import EmptyFill from '../../common/components/state/EmptyFill';
 import { useRundownWithMetadata } from '../../common/hooks-query/useRundown';
 import { useRundownEditor } from '../../common/hooks/useSocket';
+import { useTranslation } from '../../translation/TranslationProvider';
 import Rundown from './Rundown';
 
 export default memo(RundownList);
 function RundownList() {
   const { data, status, rundownMetadata } = useRundownWithMetadata();
   const featureData = useRundownEditor();
+  const { getLocalizedString } = useTranslation();
 
-  const isLoading = status !== 'success' || !data || !rundownMetadata;
+  // avoid showing the editable empty state before we know whether the rundown is actually empty
+  if (status === 'pending') {
+    return <EmptyFill text='Loading…' />;
+  }
 
-  if (isLoading) {
-    return <Empty text='Connecting to server' />;
+  if (status === 'error') {
+    return <EmptyFill text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} />;
   }
 
   return (
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/rundown/rundown-table/RundownTable.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/rundown/rundown-table/RundownTable.tsx
index b7a37bd0f..03f28a277 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/rundown/rundown-table/RundownTable.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/rundown/rundown-table/RundownTable.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { memo, useEffect, useMemo } from 'react';
 
-import EmptyPage from '../../../common/components/state/EmptyPage';
 import { EntryActionsProvider } from '../../../common/context/EntryActionsContext';
 import useCustomFields from '../../../common/hooks-query/useCustomFields';
 import { useLoadedRundownSource } from '../../../common/hooks-query/useScopedRundown';
@@ -13,7 +12,7 @@ import { makeRundownColumns } from './makeRundownColumns';
 
 export default memo(RundownTable);
 function RundownTable() {
-  const { data: customFields, status: customFieldStatus } = useCustomFields();
+  const { data: customFields } = useCustomFields();
   const setPermissions = useCuesheetPermissions((state) => state.setPermissions);
   const { editorMode } = useEditorFollowMode();
   const source = useLoadedRundownSource();
@@ -32,16 +31,10 @@ function RundownTable() {
 
   const columns = useMemo(() => makeRundownColumns(customFields), [customFields]);
 
-  const isLoading = !customFields || customFieldStatus === 'pending';
-
   return (
     <EntryActionsProvider actions={actions}>
       <CuesheetDnd columns={columns} tableRoot='editor'>
-        {isLoading ? (
-          <EmptyPage text='Loading...' />
-        ) : (
-          <CuesheetTable columns={columns} source={source} cuesheetMode={editorMode} tableRoot='editor' />
-        )}
+        <CuesheetTable columns={columns} source={source} cuesheetMode={editorMode} tableRoot='editor' />
       </CuesheetDnd>
     </EntryActionsProvider>
   );
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/backstage/Backstage.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/backstage/Backstage.tsx
index 229ba5213..85e18bf7c 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/backstage/Backstage.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/backstage/Backstage.tsx
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export default function BackstageLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <Backstage {...data} />;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/common/loader/Loader.module.scss b/apps/client/src/views/common/loader/Loader.module.scss
index 0d00acd37..62a937a14 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/common/loader/Loader.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/common/loader/Loader.module.scss
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ $dot-spacing: 1.5rem;
   display: grid;
   place-items: center;
   background-color: var(--background-color-override, $viewer-background-color);
-  height: 100vh;
+  height: 100dvh;
 }
 
 .ellipsis {
@@ -21,26 +21,26 @@ $dot-spacing: 1.5rem;
     height: $dot-size;
     border-radius: 50%;
     background-color: var(--accent-color-override, $ontime-color);
-    animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 1, 1, 0);
+    animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
 
     &:nth-child(1) {
       left: $dot-size;
-      animation: lds-ellipsis1 0.6s infinite;
+      animation: lds-ellipsis1 1s infinite;
     }
 
     &:nth-child(2) {
       left: $dot-size;
-      animation: lds-ellipsis2 0.6s infinite;
+      animation: lds-ellipsis2 1s infinite;
     }
 
     &:nth-child(3) {
       left: calc($dot-size + $dot-spacing);
-      animation: lds-ellipsis2 0.6s infinite;
+      animation: lds-ellipsis2 1s infinite;
     }
 
     &:nth-child(4) {
       left: calc($dot-size + 2 * $dot-spacing);
-      animation: lds-ellipsis3 0.6s infinite;
+      animation: lds-ellipsis3 1s infinite;
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.scss b/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.scss
index a5a175c8f..f36f03bca 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.scss
@@ -80,21 +80,7 @@ $item-height: 3.5rem;
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     align-items: center;
-
-    button {
-      margin-top: 1.75rem;
-    }
-  }
-
-  .empty-state__content {
-    max-width: none;
-
-    span {
-      max-width: none;
-      white-space: nowrap;
-      font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2.25rem);
-      line-height: 1.1;
-    }
+    gap: 1.5rem;
   }
 
   .list-container {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.tsx
index 40db224db..9db4cce6e 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.tsx
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export default function CountdownLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <Countdown {...data} />;
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ function Countdown({ customFields, rundownData, projectData, isMirrored, setting
 
       {!hasEvents && (
         <div className='empty-state'>
-          <Empty text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} className='empty-state__content' />
+          <Empty text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} />
         </div>
       )}
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ function CountdownContents({ candidates, rundownData, subscriptions, goToEditMod
   if (subscriptions.length === 0) {
     return (
       <div className='empty-state'>
-        <Empty text={getLocalizedString('countdown.select_event')} className='empty-state__content' />
+        <Empty text={getLocalizedString('countdown.select_event')} />
         <Button variant='primary' size='xlarge' onClick={goToEditMode}>
           <IoAdd /> Add
         </Button>
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ function CountdownContents({ candidates, rundownData, subscriptions, goToEditMod
   if (subscribedEvents.length === 0) {
     return (
       <div className='empty-state'>
-        <Empty text={getLocalizedString('countdown.select_event')} className='empty-state__content' />
+        <Empty text={getLocalizedString('countdown.select_event')} />
         <Button variant='primary' size='xlarge' onClick={goToEditMode}>
           <IoAdd /> Add
         </Button>
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ function CountdownContents({ candidates, rundownData, subscriptions, goToEditMod
   if (eventsToShow.length === 0) {
     return (
       <div className='empty-state'>
-        <Empty text={getLocalizedString('countdown.all_have_finished')} className='empty-state__content' />
+        <Empty text={getLocalizedString('countdown.all_have_finished')} />
       </div>
     );
   }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/CuesheetTableWrapper.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/CuesheetTableWrapper.tsx
index 595e221ba..048f8f1c6 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/CuesheetTableWrapper.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/CuesheetTableWrapper.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import { MaybeString, ProjectRundown } from 'ontime-types';
 import { memo, use, useMemo } from 'react';
 
 import Select from '../../common/components/select/Select';
-import EmptyPage from '../../common/components/state/EmptyPage';
 import { PresetContext } from '../../common/context/PresetContext';
 import useCustomFields from '../../common/hooks-query/useCustomFields';
 import type { RundownSource } from '../../common/hooks-query/useScopedRundown';
@@ -34,40 +33,34 @@ function CuesheetTableWrapper({
   const preset = use(PresetContext);
   const isCurrentRundown = source.rundownId !== null && source.rundownId === loadedRundownId;
   const { cuesheetMode, setCuesheetMode } = useApplyCuesheetPolicy(preset, { canRunMode: isCurrentRundown });
-  const { data: customFields, status: customFieldStatus } = useCustomFields();
+  const { data: customFields } = useCustomFields();
 
   const columns = useMemo(
     () => makeCuesheetColumns(customFields, cuesheetMode, preset),
     [customFields, cuesheetMode, preset],
   );
 
-  const isLoading = !customFields || customFieldStatus === 'pending';
-
   return (
     <CuesheetDnd columns={columns}>
-      {isLoading ? (
-        <EmptyPage text='Loading...' />
-      ) : (
-        <CuesheetTable
-          columns={columns}
-          source={source}
-          cuesheetMode={cuesheetMode}
-          tableRoot='cuesheet'
-          setCuesheetMode={setCuesheetMode}
-          isCurrentRundown={isCurrentRundown}
-          insertElement={
-            <>
-              <RundownSelect
-                cuesheetMode={cuesheetMode}
-                selectedRundownId={selectedRundownId}
-                loadedRundownId={loadedRundownId}
-                setSelectedRundownId={setSelectedRundownId}
-                projectRundowns={projectRundowns}
-              />
-            </>
-          }
-        />
-      )}
+      <CuesheetTable
+        columns={columns}
+        source={source}
+        cuesheetMode={cuesheetMode}
+        tableRoot='cuesheet'
+        setCuesheetMode={setCuesheetMode}
+        isCurrentRundown={isCurrentRundown}
+        insertElement={
+          <>
+            <RundownSelect
+              cuesheetMode={cuesheetMode}
+              selectedRundownId={selectedRundownId}
+              loadedRundownId={loadedRundownId}
+              setSelectedRundownId={setSelectedRundownId}
+              projectRundowns={projectRundowns}
+            />
+          </>
+        }
+      />
     </CuesheetDnd>
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.module.scss b/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.module.scss
index f95eb6468..b8873cca1 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.module.scss
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ $table-header-font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
 
 @include rows.cuesheet-row-columns($table-header-font-size);
 
+.tableLoading {
+  grid-area: table;
+}
+
 .cuesheet {
   font-size: $table-font-size;
   font-weight: 400;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.tsx
index 32c3f60ac..075f0b898 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/cuesheet/cuesheet-table/CuesheetTable.tsx
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import {
   TableVirtuosoHandle,
 } from 'react-virtuoso';
 
-import EmptyPage from '../../../common/components/state/EmptyPage';
+import EmptyFill from '../../../common/components/state/EmptyFill';
 import EmptyTableBody from '../../../common/components/state/EmptyTableBody';
 import { useEntryActionsContext } from '../../../common/context/EntryActionsContext';
 import type { RundownSource } from '../../../common/hooks-query/useScopedRundown';
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import type { ExtendedEntry } from '../../../common/utils/rundownMetadata';
 import { usePersistedRundownOptions } from '../../../features/rundown/rundown.options';
 import { useEventSelection } from '../../../features/rundown/useEventSelection';
 import { AppMode } from '../../../ontimeConfig';
+import { useTranslation } from '../../../translation/TranslationProvider';
 import { usePersistedCuesheetOptions } from '../cuesheet.options';
 import { useCuesheetPermissions } from '../useTablePermissions';
 import { CuesheetHeader, SortableCuesheetHeader } from './cuesheet-table-elements/CuesheetHeader';
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ export default function CuesheetTable({
 }: CuesheetTableProps) {
   const { flatRundown, status, selectedEventId } = source;
   const { updateEntry, updateTimer, addEntry } = useEntryActionsContext();
+  const { getLocalizedString } = useTranslation();
   const canCreateEntries = useCuesheetPermissions((state) => state.canCreateEntries) && cuesheetMode === AppMode.Edit;
 
   const useOptions = tableRoot === 'editor' ? usePersistedRundownOptions : usePersistedCuesheetOptions;
@@ -228,10 +230,13 @@ export default function CuesheetTable({
     });
   }, [cuesheetMode, hideIndexColumn, table]);
 
-  const isLoading = !flatRundown || status === 'pending';
+  // avoid showing the editable empty state before we know whether the rundown is actually empty
+  if (status === 'pending') {
+    return <EmptyFill text='Loading…' className={style.tableLoading} />;
+  }
 
-  if (isLoading) {
-    return <EmptyPage text='Loading...' />;
+  if (status === 'error') {
+    return <EmptyFill text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} className={style.tableLoading} />;
   }
 
   return (
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.scss b/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.scss
index 772757521..6901a36be 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.scss
@@ -100,13 +100,17 @@ $content-width: min(100%, 1100px);
   }
 
   .info__image-container {
-    flex: 0 0 min(128px, 25%);
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+    align-items: center;
+    flex: 0 0 min(192px, 25%);
   }
 
   .info__image {
     display: block;
-    width: 100%;
+    max-width: 100%;
     height: auto;
+    object-fit: contain;
   }
 
   .link.info__value {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.tsx
index 8e6c1f634..c14be9254 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/project-info/ProjectInfo.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export default function ProjectInfoLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <ProjectInfo {...data} />;
@@ -73,12 +73,11 @@ function ProjectInfo({ projectData, isMirrored }: ProjectInfoData) {
           </div>
         )}
         {projectData.custom.map((info, idx) => {
-          const hasImage = Boolean(info.url);
           return (
             // oxlint-disable-next-line react/no-array-index-key - we only have the index to go of  here
             <div key={`${info.title}-${idx}`} className='info__card'>
               {info.title && <div className='info__label'>{info.title}</div>}
-              {hasImage ? (
+              {info.url ? (
                 <div className='info__media'>
                   <InfoImage src={info.url} />
                   {info.value && <div className='info__value'>{info.value}</div>}
@@ -108,10 +107,6 @@ function InfoCard({ label, children }: InfoCardProps) {
   );
 }
 
-/**
- * Renders an user provided image, collapsing itself if the image fails to load
- * We remove the container along with the image to avoid leaving an empty gap in the card
- */
 function InfoImage({ src }: { src: string }) {
   const [hasError, setHasError] = useState(false);
 
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/studio/Studio.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/studio/Studio.tsx
index e363dc7b8..53fd4014e 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/studio/Studio.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/studio/Studio.tsx
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ export default function StudioLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <Studio {...data} />;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/timeline/TimelinePage.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/timeline/TimelinePage.tsx
index f505bf06a..cff50cd06 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/timeline/TimelinePage.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/timeline/TimelinePage.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { OntimeView } from 'ontime-types';
 import { useMemo } from 'react';
 
+import EmptyFill from '../../common/components/state/EmptyFill';
 import EmptyPage from '../../common/components/state/EmptyPage';
 import ViewLogo from '../../common/components/view-logo/ViewLogo';
 import ViewParamsEditor from '../../common/components/view-params-editor/ViewParamsEditor';
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ export default function TimelinePageLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <TimelinePage {...data} />;
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ function TimelinePage({ events, customFields, projectData, settings }: TimelineD
           totalDuration={totalDuration}
         />
       ) : (
-        <EmptyPage text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} />
+        <EmptyFill text={getLocalizedString('common.no_data')} />
       )}
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/apps/client/src/views/timer/Timer.tsx b/apps/client/src/views/timer/Timer.tsx
index 3ae139d26..f9708360b 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/views/timer/Timer.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/views/timer/Timer.tsx
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export default function TimerLoader() {
   }
 
   if (status === 'error') {
-    return <EmptyPage text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
+    return <EmptyPage variant='error' text='There was an error fetching data, please refresh the page.' />;
   }
 
   return <Timer {...data} />;