By Chad Richards, Contributing Writer
For over ten years, Channel 14 on Comcast Cable in the Ohio Valley has been the home of West Liberty University Television. The cable access channel reaches over 100,000 viewers in the Ohio Valley area and reaches many more on their online stream. While WLU-TV is known for their coverage of football and basketball, you’ll also find quality programming produced mostly by students.
WLU-TV is also the new home for Wheeling City Council meetings. While Channel 14 already airs Hancock County meetings, the inclusion of Wheeling City Council meetings is brand new. The meetings will be taped by the students for a later airing on the channel.
But if you do want to watch Hiltopper athletic events, look no further than Channel 14. The WLU-TV production crew, staffed by students and led by professionals, produces the live television broadcast of all football games, all home basketball games and select away games; the games are also re-aired the following week.
This semester, you’ll be able to catch the men’s and women’s basketball teams in action as they finish up the regular season and go on to the postseason in the Atlantic Regional Tournament, which will once again feature full audio and video coverage of all the games on Channel 14.
WLU-TV is also partnering with WTRF’s My Ohio Valley to air the remaining home games on their channel as well, so even more people can watch the Hilltoppers on the road to Sioux Falls and the Elite Eight.
WLU-TV is also home to many other shows, some produced entirely by students. One of these is “Box Office,” the monthly check-in to the arts and entertainment scene at West Liberty and beyond, which is scheduled to return to the air sometime in mid-February. There’s also “On Money,” a show about money and financial issues; and “Your Town,” a look at some events and groups in the local area.
While these shows aren’t entirely produced by students, the students fill production roles for the taping of these shows. WLU-TV also airs programming from local high schools; these being Wheeling Park and John Marshall High school, which are produced by the high school students.
Another show that is produced entirely by students is an old staple to Channel 14 in a new timeslot. “Noise Violation,” a live music show featuring local bands, is on the air for its tenth season and first ever spring semester. The show is produced by students in the Television Production II class who also work with Music Technology students to produce a professionally mixed show for the bands. The show is on at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and audience members are welcome.
Channel 14 also periodically features concerts from around the area, especially during Christmastime. This spring, also be sure to be on the lookout for the live broadcast of the MADfest awards ceremony in April.
Photo credit: Media Relations
