Ball State's revamped student-produced newscast debuts at 9 p.m. as "NewsWatch."
Formerly known as "NewsLink@9," NewsWatch hopes to attract attention by providing relevant news to both the BSU campus and Muncie community, Sean O'Key assistant news director, said. In conjunction with the new name, an updated graphics and music package is being offered for a more energetic appeal.
"We did a complete overhaul of the station," O'Key said. "Viewers can expect to see a more energetic broadcast with brighter colors, faster music and higher action to the 30-minute slot that we have."
Faculty advisor and telecommunications professor Phil Bremen said he hoped the new name and look would help the audience identify the newscast better.
"We felt the name change was necessary because our newscast was often confused with NewsLink Indiana, our sister station, because our names were so similar," he said. "We wanted clarity on who we are and a way for the audience to identify us better."
The changes will help the station to redefine itself and bring in a broader viewing audience, O'Key said.
The name "NewsWatch" was chosen by Tim Underhill, a 1984 Ball State alumnus, who won a contest to rename the student broadcast. Underhill is currently a production manager at NewsLink Indiana.
NewsWatch and NewsLink share production and newsroom facilities in the Burris Laboratory School. They are also assigned to channel 61 on the Comcast Cable System in the Ball Communications Building. Not only do the stations broadcast to the community, they collaborate with student media outlets such WCRD-FM, the university's student radio station; The Ball State Daily News, the university's student run newspaper and other news and information productions.
The broadcast will continue to appear on Comcast channel 61 and on Cardinal Vision channel 57 in the residence halls at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The 30-minute broadcast will keep students updated on news, sports and weather by including live action and on-site reporting.
"It is by the good grace of Burris that we can provide the campus with this production," Bremen said, "We are really lucky to be able to use the facilities for our newscast."
Up-to-date facilities enable students to learn how to use equipment and prepare them for future career work.
"We hope students will see this as an opportunity to get involved in the station," Bremen said. "This isn't limited to just TCOM majors and is like any other extracurricular activity. We want as many students as possible to help out."
NewsWatch will participate in the annual TCOM Superparty at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Ball Communications Building. Show management hopes to recruit more students interested in being involved in the student-run production.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
