News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--RE-INTRODUCTION OF "LIVE" OVERNIGHT RADIO ----------------------------------------------------------------- Following months of discussion and planning, the Annapolis Valley Radio (AVR) Network will renew "live" overnight programming, thanks to a new unique partnership with the Kingstec Radio/TV arts program of the Nova Scotia Community College in Kentville. Beginning early in the new year, second year students from Kingstec will host "live" overnight radio programs, replacing the current American-based satellite feeds from the Interstate Radio Network. Live local programming will run seven days a week, from midnight to 5:30 a.m. with no automated program features. Dianne Best-Redden, director of operations at AVR said, "This change will allow us to have a cost effective means of providing our market with 24 hour continuous live programming and provide the radio students at Kingstec with invaluable on-the-job training." She said: "While many radio markets have experimented with automation, there is a growing feeling that listeners have not responded favourably to cross country satellite feeds or pre-recorded generic programming from computers." "Live broadcasting throughout the campus is one thing," says Kingstec's, applied arts department head, Graham MacDermott, "but the real life experience that these students will be getting at AVR will give them a huge boost in confidence and is bound to make them more employable." AVR president Neil MacMullen said: "It's a win-win situation. We'll have someone physically here in the studios overnight, broadcasting a local live program and at the same time the students are in a real situation with the same responsibilities we'd expect from our full time employees." Kingstec radio/TV arts students taking part in the program beginning in January include: Cara Dewar, Ed MacDonald, Darin Ramsay, Jennifer Blood, Jason MacDonald, Trent Howie, Crystal Deale, James Cormier, Chris VanTassel, Jolene Crowe, Erin Black and Jonathan Crouse. The radio and television arts program at the Kingstec Campus is now entering its 20th year. Following an industry review two years ago, major renovations were made to the Kingstec facilities including construction of six new radio studios, a new television production facility and the hiring of two new instructors. Recent additions have also included several new digital software programs replacing older analog audio and video equipment. Construction is also underway on three new video editing suites and a newsroom. -30- Contact: Graham MacDermott 902-678-7341 trp Dec. 9, 1996 - 11:30 a.m.