SMU-TV, KPNI prepare for semester

Staff members of SMU-TV and KPNI – SMU Radio anticipate newprograms this semester promoting ambition among students, awarenesson campus and efficiency in communication.

Both SMU-TV and KPNI are student run media programs focused onstudent freedom of expression. SMU-TV broadcasts on cable channel 7via Charter Cable Network and can be watched anywhere on campus andin the Park Cities.

KPNI streams its content on its Web site, kpni.smu.edu, andbroadcasts directly into residence halls on the 98.3 FM or 640 AMfrequencies depending on the location of the residence hall.

Many students involved with SMU-TV begin by working with theDaily Update, a live news program written and produced by students.The morning show broadcasts at 7:15 a.m. each weekday morning andreruns throughout the day.

Digital Newsroom Manager and journalism professor MicheleHouston encourages freshmen and returning students to participatein the Daily Update by running a short training program beforeschool begins.

“The boot camp is for freshmen who haven’t worked inproduction before, and returning students to get back in the swingof things,” Houston said. Students arrived at the digitalnewsroom to familiarize themselves with the equipment and preparedfor the first edition of the Daily Update, which ran Thursday.

Houston said that for this semester, students will tape theDaily Update live, which further challenges and prepares studentsin the newsroom for a fast paced and professional newsenvironment.

SMU-TV will work with the Cinema Television division of Meadows.Students majoring in CTV write and produce their own films, whichmay be featured on the cable channel. The station also plans to airshows from Houston’s TV News Production class alternatingeach week between sports events, and student activities andfeatures and investigative pieces, such as Heritage Hall and a hardlook at sexual assault on campuses.

KPNI – SMU Radio is prepared to welcome students back on campuswith fresh, new talent.

The station’s first priority is continuing its efforts torecruit more students from all parts of campus. According toEngineer and Webmaster Brian Fox, KPNI will continue to operate asa free-form medium for students to express themselves. “KPNIallows students to produce their own shows. So they decide whatmusic they want to play or what topics they want to discuss, withinthe limitations of the law,” he said.

New this year, the station will endeavor to act as a medium ofcommunication for organizations that wish to have a weekly programor produce a one-time spot to inform students of upcomingevents.

To assist organizations in getting their message out to thepublic, the station will provide organizations with a technicalassistance. Zienkosky said, “One of the main new componentsof KPNI this semester is the producer position [which] will alloworganizations to use KPNI facilities without the hassle of trainingon the equipment.” This will allow the organization toconcentrate on content while the producer handles the technicalaspects of the radio show.

Organizations that are interested in creating a program maycontact KPNI at 214-768-5769 or may email the staff [email protected]. Interested students may apply for an individualdeejay positions online at the station’s Web site.

SMU-TV, KPNI prepare for semester