Photo above: At the contols in KWSU’s digital Studio B are, bottom to top, Chris Waiting, media editor and videographer; Warren Wright, KWSU/KTNW station manager; DeeAna Bell, engineer. (
Photo by Shelly Hanks, WSU Photo Services)
Photo by Shelly Hanks, WSU Photo Services)
PULLMAN KWSU Media has completed a comprehensive updating project, transforming to a digital production studio.
The new studio includes:
- Three-camera high-definition (HD) array
- HD digital switcher
- HD character generator
- New lighting system
- New teleprompter system, and
- Revamped, HD control room
This facility will enable the department to produce state-of-the-art, wide-screen, high-definition television (16:9 ratio).
Overall, the project cost is about $780,000, with half coming from a U.S. Department of Commerce Public Telecommunication Facilities Program (PTFP) award.
“This is an incredible step forward”, said Warren Wright, station manager. “Thanks to this upgrade, we are positioning ourselves as a national production leader. Our viewers will notice the difference, especially as they upgrade to digital televisions.”
An Avid HD editing suite will support post production work for both the studio and field production units.
Programs produced
Local/regional programs produced by KWSU Media include:
In Steppe
On Campus @ WSU
Just A Minute
Experience WSU
World War II: Our Neighbors’ Stories
Lewis and Clark and The Forgotten Trail
The Kennewick Man on Trial
Palouse Performance
Nationally-distributed programs include:
Fly Tying: The Anglers Art
Dutch Oven and Camp Cooking
Scheewe Art Workshop
Jenkins Art Workshop
Jenkins Art Studio
Sid Webb’s Digital Studio
Painting the West with Fred Oldfield
In Steppe
On Campus @ WSU
Just A Minute
Experience WSU
World War II: Our Neighbors’ Stories
Lewis and Clark and The Forgotten Trail
The Kennewick Man on Trial
Palouse Performance
Nationally-distributed programs include:
Fly Tying: The Anglers Art
Dutch Oven and Camp Cooking
Scheewe Art Workshop
Jenkins Art Workshop
Jenkins Art Studio
Sid Webb’s Digital Studio
Painting the West with Fred Oldfield
The first program benefitting from the equipment upgrade is “Fly Tying: The Angler’s Art,” with columnist and instructor LeRoy Hyatt and newcomer Carolyn Sells. Warren and a crew of professional and student staff recently recorded 13 episodes of this series.
In each program, Hyatt and Sells describe how and why certain fly patterns attract different fish, tying techniques, the use of materials and presentation of flies in the fifth season of this syndicated series. This new season series will be distributed to public television stations nationwide this fall.
Radio going digital too
WSU’s Northwest Public Radio also is undergoing a digital transition. It is in the process of converting 11 of its transmitter sites to enable high definition (HD) delivery. This will enable listeners with HD radios to hear CD-quality programs and multiple program streams via each frequency.
NPR markets include: Mt. Vernon, Yakima, Ellensburg/Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Richland, Moscow, Bellingham, Pullman, Port Angeles, Walla Walla and Clarkston.
These upgrading projects are funded by grants from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP).
KWSU Media is the production division for KWSU and KTNW public television. The main production studio is located on the WSU campus in Pullman. KWSU Media also has production facilities located in Richland.
