Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2001
¾¨Ó㴫ý faculty and students will soon gain access to live coverage of state government activities and events through an agreement between New Wilmington Borough Cable and the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
Beginning the first day of July, PCN's public affairs offerings will be carried on ¾¨Ó㴫ý cable channel 9. The service launch extends network availability to more than 1,000 households in Lawrence County.
"As an academic institution, we welcome the Pennsylvania Cable Network and its promotion of educational opportunities for community citizens, business leaders, and area school districts," remarked Dr. David L. Barner, communications chair of ¾¨Ó㴫ý. "Our advanced-level production department has previously assisted with PCN coverage of important events in the region, giving students hands-on training with professionals in the television industry."
Known as the commonwealth's version of C-SPAN, PCN televises Pennsylvania Senate and House floor proceedings, committee hearings, press conferences, and public forums where the business of the state is debated, discussed, and decided. Legislative coverage is shown without editing, commentary, or analysis, allowing viewers to make up their own minds about proposed laws and the actions of state leaders.
"I'm pleased to hear of the Pennsylvania Cable Network's subscriber growth in Lawrence County," said state Senator Gerald J. LaValle. "I'll sometimes come home and watch PCN for hours, especially when the House is on since I get a lot of information that eventually makes its way to the Senate."
Keystone State activities televised on the network range from Battle of Gettysburg commemorative events during the first week in July to extensive coverage of the six-day Pennsylvania State Farm Show in January. The network also airs weekly high school football, wrestling, and basketball contests, and is the exclusive video provider of Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championship events.
"Dave Barner of ¾¨Ó㴫ý played a principal role in making our service available on campus and in the borough of New Wilmington," noted PCN Senior Vice President Bradford N. Hammer. "We are grateful for his consideration of our network, and his willingness to join with the local cable provider in advancing Pennsylvania programming."
Network series include "PCN Tours," visits to museums and manufacturing plants; "PA Books," conversations with authors of books about Pennsylvania; and "PCN Profiles," hour-long interviews of prominent state residents. PCN also distributes literacy training programs on weekday mornings, and produces a live call-in show during the school year for students in grades K-12 needing help with homework assignments.
PCN is funded by Pennsylvania cable companies as a public service, and receives no governmental support. The network maintains a Web site at .
For more information, contact Barner at (724) 946-7239 or e-mail barnerdl@westminster.edu.
