UVa-Wise to air new educational programming on Comcast channel 55

A recent agreement between The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the Annenberg/CPB Channel will allow the College’s television channel to air free educational programming beginning April 7 on channel 55 for local Comcast cable television subscribers.

Based in Washington, D.C., and distributed nationally, Annenberg/CPB provides educational programming in a variety of academic areas. Annenberg’s commercial-free programming also provides professional development productions for educators and the general viewing public. The Annenberg/CPB Channel is co-produced with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer our region this new educational service in addition to the College announcements featured on the channel now,” said Keith Fowlkes, vice chancellor for information technology.

Annenberg/CPB programming will include “A Biography of America,” “American Passages: A Literary Survey,” “A World of Art: Works in Progress,” and “Exploring the World of Music,” among other shows.

The channel will soon offer student-produced programming, as well.

The channel’s new format and programming are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the College’s Office of Information Technology and the Department of Communication Studies, which seeks to provide students with production and broadcasting experience.

Plans are in development to provide the televised content from Comcast channel 55 via the Internet in fall 2008.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted April 3, 2008