SYCAMORE – Sycamore High School’s student-run Spartan TV is set to air June 15 on Comcast Channel 14, David Olson, communications manager for Sycamore School District 427 and an adviser for Spartan TV, said at the City Council meeting Monday night.
Olson said the District 427 has its fiber-line connection and software ready to go for Sycamore residents to watch athletic events and concerts at the high school and other schools in the district, along with other community groups being able to use the community bulletin board feature that will be part of programming on the channel.
City Manager Brian Gregory said the presentation from Olson during Monday’s council meeting acts as an inaugural annual report for the network as part of an intergovernmental agreement made then between the city and District 427. He said access to the channel was approved for Spartan TV in 2017.
“It shows that the community enjoys Spartan TV and where we’re headed,” Olson said.
Olson said the program still needs $160,000 to operate at full capacity, including getting a light grid for the studio and a completed control room. So far, the student-run network has received $200,000 from local donors, including the Sycamore Education Foundation, the DeKalb County Community Foundation and from anonymous donors, he said.
After beginning to add student-produced programming such as football games online, Olson said, there was a soft broadcast last month on Channel 14 with community event information and this year’s high school graduation ceremony and awards night.
Olson said the program is a great way for students to get real-life experience in broadcast production. He said participating students will soon receive high school class credit for their involvement as well.
“And the experience is truly authentic,” District 427 Superintendent Kathy Countryman said during the meeting. “This is going out to many, many people.”
Olson said people without cable will still be able to access the PEG channel online. He said the high school program is looking at Apple TV access for the channel further down the road.
“We’re looking at where we know the industry is going,” Olson said.
Sycamore Mayor Curt Lang said the program through the high school is a wonderful opportunity for kids who are looking at a possible career in broadcasting.
“It’s going to be a big building block for their future,” Lang said.