Abstract
This article presents a case study of a student managed cable television channel created to provide practical experience in production and organizational leadership within a mass communication curriculum. It describes the establishment of a dedicated university channel, the development of a management structure within a graduate course, and the creation of student produced pilot programs intended for community and campus audiences. The study outlines decision making, program development, and policy formation during the initial term, supported by focus group responses from faculty, students, community professionals, and an advisory committee. It then examines the launch of regular telecasts, the integration of advanced production courses, and the rapid expansion of programming that included concerts, interviews, sports coverage, and special events. The article identifies the educational benefits of hands on management and production responsibilities while also noting structural weaknesses such as workload imbalances, challenges in peer supervision, and insufficient mechanisms for ongoing program evaluation. Recommendations are offered for institutions seeking to use cable channels as laboratories for management and production training, emphasizing technical coordination, distributed supervision, structured orientation, and regular assessment.
Recommended Citation
Hanks, William and Schiller, Scott S.
(1985)
"Student Management of a University Cable TV Channel: A Case Study,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 52, Article 27.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol52/iss1/27
