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The Business of Local News (excerpt)

University Community Video-Minneapolis

1974 00:25:00 United StatesEnglishB&W and ColorMono4:31/2" open reel video
Tags:
TV production, Television

Description

Showcasing local documentaries made on 1/2" equipment, Changing Channels was a weekly alternative video magazine produced by University Community Video (UCV) and aired on public television station KCTA, Minneapolis. In The Business of Television News, which aired as part of the Changing Channels series, several area television news operations were asked to examine their objectives and their markets. The candid comments of news directors and station managers outline the conflicting forces of entertainment (market share) and information that continue to shape the nature of television news across the country. The original total running time for this piece is 25:00, this is a 16:48 excerpt for this collection.

The original total running time for this piece is 25:00. An excerpt of this title (16:57) is only available on Surveying the First Decade: Volume 2.

About University Community Video-Minneapolis

In 1973, student and community activists in Minneapolis joined forces to create University Community Video. Founders Miles Mogelescu, Ron McCoy, and Stephen Kulczycki, among others, offered courses in portable video production, supported by student fees from the University of Minnesota. At first, UCV's programs were shown over the University's closed-circuit cable television system. Eager to reach a broader community, UCV's staff succeeded in getting Communitube, a pilot magazine show, aired on PBS affiliate KTCA. It was the forerunner of Changing Channels, UCV's weekly alternative video magazine, which premiered on KTCA in 1974. Changing Channels ran for four years, winning numerous awards and establishing UCV as a Midwestern center for video documentary production.

In January of 1975, UCV began producing a companion program, Everybody's TV Time—an open-access program to accomodate community programming not included in their prime-time series. UCV's roots included an interest in the arts that area videomakers are still known for. In 1978, overworked staff ceased production of Changing Channels, refocusing energies on video workshops for students and community producers. UCV changed its name twice, finally becoming Intermedia Arts Minnesota, a regional media arts center. A selected collection of UCV tapes is available to the public at the Minnesota Historical Society.