Binghamton University’s student-run television network, BTV, has created a news section that will air half-hour shows on Monday evenings beginning in mid-October.
Chris Chin/Staff Photographer
According to Jenna Rosenberg, a senior and the marketing and news director for the station, the network is trying to bring up the reputability of the station by adding more professional programming. She believes a news program will add credibility to the channel.
“Right now it’s basically just a test,” Rosenberg said.
The news section will initially consist of 12 members with varying experience levels in broadcast journalism.
In each airing, there will be two anchors and as many reporters as necessary to gather the news.
According to Rosenberg, BTV is giving all members the opportunity to work as an anchor due to the interest level for the position.
The station has several microphones and a camera and is working on obtaining a teleprompter, Rosenberg said. Until they can obtain one, episodes will not be filmed live to make for easier production.
The news section will cover scheduled events on campus, such as sports games, performances and other functions. Although it may be difficult to get reporters to the scene due to classes, Rosenberg said that they also plan to cover breaking news as it happens.
“I think it is a really good idea because a TV station needs more than sitcoms and sports,” Matthew Varvarigos, a senior accounting major and BTV treasurer, said. “It also gives students something to watch that they can relate to because most news stations do not cover campus news.”
According to Varvarigos, the addition of a news show could expand the audience of BTV.
In order to increase professionalism on the show, the staff will be holding training workshops for all reporters who want to be on camera. The training will teach those interested how to behave on scene and on set to produce a more polished program.
Rosenberg and the other founders of the show also feel that the training and news section itself are a good opportunity to give BU students a chance to experience the field of broadcast journalism.