“HCTV News” returns with two live shows per week, plus streaming

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The award winning student produced “HCTV News” returns with two live newscasts per week this semester, with a 15 minute newscast Tuesdays at 1:00pm and a full half hour newscast Thursdays at 5:00pm. Newscasts will also be archived on the Communication Arts YouTube channel.

The “HCTV News” crews include students enrolled in Communication Arts programs at the college. Jack Sehn and Bridget Roberts return to anchor the Tuesday 15 minute newscasts, and Roberts will also serve as the producer. Laura Rabbia returns as weathercaster, and Colleen Chupka and Cody Mooney return as the live shot crew this semester. Several other students make up the remaining crew of directors, camera operators, graphics operators, and more.

This semester viewers will also have the option to view a live stream of each newscast on the Communication Arts YouTube channel. Assistant Professor of Communication Arts Douglas Flanagan says “Luckily, most of the 15 minute crew from last fall has returned, so we can really build on that experience. We added a dual anchor approach and the ability to do live shots from around campus last semester, and this semester we’re adding the live YouTube stream.” Flanagan says that for the Thursday newscast, it will be a weekly rotation of crew members: “The Thursday newscast is a production of a full semester Advanced Video Class, and those students rotate through a different job every week. We also add sports, a live in studio interview segment, and other unique elements to the full half hour newscast.”

“HCTV News” has won several Associated Press New York State Broadcasters awards, including awards for “Best News Story” and “Best Regularly Scheduled Newscast” in the college category. Flanagan serves as executive producer. He stresses, “This is a student powered production. They write the script, they shoot and edit, they anchor, they do weather, work the graphics, they direct, they run the video switcher, server systems, and audio. It’s their show.”

Viewers in the southern part of Herkimer County can tune into Time Warner Cable channel 97-1 or channel 99 if using a converter box.