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ECTV History
How It All Began
Evangel University began broadcasting on local cable in 1986. Under the supervision of Professor Don Pieper, most of the programming was selected by work studies and consisted of educational programs and material borrowed from the Assemblies of God Headquarters. Evangel College Television began as a regular information outlet for the campus.
The First Show
In the 1988-1989 school year, the TV studio and the athletic department coordinated efforts to create a sports highlights show. Students interested in broadcasting worked behind the scenes running the cameras and other equipment. On air talent consisted of coaches and athletic department officials. In 1989, Sports Update was officially created and has filmed shows on a weekly basis for over 20 years. In the spring of 1990 a newscast practicum was created for students who were interested in broadcast news. The practicum produced a show that was initially called EC News but was later changed to Newswatch and was recently renamed Newswatch Today. Newswatch is the oldest production at Evangel that is completely student produced.
Strobelight
Several students felt that a show was needed to showcase a growing interest in music and entertainment news. Students Jeff Burnett and Tom Stasiac approached Dr. Cameron Pace about creating a third Evangel show. A pilot season of Strobelight was shot in the Spring of 1991 and the show was launched the following Fall semester. Unfortunately tight budgets made it difficult to staff and produce three weekly shows. Dr. Pace approached the administration about establishing ECTV as a student medium. This change allotted funding for ECTV separately just like The Lance, KECC, and Excalibur, making Strobelight possible. Strobelight aired it's final show during the Spring 2011 semester after 10 years of running.
The Finishing Steps
At the same time ECTV was going through the process of becoming a legitimate member of the on-campus student media, cable television was being installed in every building on Evangel's campus. ECTV partnered with the Evangel cable television so that the station's programming could be accessible across the campus on its own channel. Evangel College Television became Evangel Cable Television in 1997 when Evangel changed its name to Evangel University. In 2005 ECTV moved into its new home in the Ephraim Media Center in Trask Hall. The latest addition to ECTV was a film-making division called ECTV Pictures, which was established in 2004. The film workshop class now produces a feature-length film each semester that broadcasts on ECTV. In addition, many other communications classes contribute short films and documentaries to ECTV Pictures . The programming continues to evolve and improve over time, as does the equipment and sets. Dr. Cameron Pace still serves as the advisor of the TV Studio and ECTV. Students fill the rolls of technical staff and anchors on both weekly shows. Talent is chosen through auditions open to the entire student body.
Last Modified: 01.28.12