Starting in April, four student-produced BUTV shows will air on the community television station Boston Neighborhood Network Television, which reaches close to 20 area neighborhoods, totaling about 57,000 people. Student actors, on-air personalities, producers and writers will have the chance to air their shows for a local audience, instead of just the BU community. At this time, students can only view some of the shows in the George Sherman Union and rare screenings that take place on campus during the school year.
This change must come as a sweet victory to those students who have dedicated hours of hard work to producing and participating in these shows. Their work will receive the attention and recognition it deserves and give them a greater purpose in putting their efforts into these projects. It would also allow the students to receive feedback and critique from a wider audience so that they can learn and strengthen their craft.
For many BU students, this will be the first time that they will see these shows. Students will be able to see the creativity and skill of BUTV’s student staff. It would also increase the level of respect and appreciation students have for them.
With the shows being aired on local TV, it may encourage other students to become involved in these productions and may boost the numbers of new BUTV staff. Instead of just offering hands-on television experience, BUTV can now promise students this new incentive of knowing that thousands of people can tune in to their shows every week.
In addition, College of Communication’s Department of Film and Television will gain greater exposure in the community. When community members have the chance to judge the quality of BUTV’s student products, this new exposure may increase the enrollment in the television program.
Airing these shows on BNN-TV may also lead to additional contracts with other stations in the future. The BUTV staff along with faculty adviser Professor Chris Cavalieri should be congratulated for their work in reaching this agreement and starting this process of expanding the audience base for student projects.
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