By Megan Carleton
To create the latest nest for local programming, ABC 4 has teamed up with Comcast to increase access to their local digital TV station, The Hive, as well as give the opportunity for local producers to get involved.
'As far as we know nationwide, we''re the first with this kind of thing,' said Karen Zabriskie, director of programming/digital TV for The Hive. 'There is local programming but most are associated with universities.'
The Hive started more than a year ago on ABC''s digital frequency 4.2, using multitasking of their frequency spectrum. At the end of March, ABC 4 placed The Hive on Comcast channel 104 and Comcast ON DEMAND, increasing access to viewers.
'The intent of The Hive is to have content from local Utahns,' said David D''Antuono, vice president and general manager of ABC 4 and The Hive.
For local citizens of Utah, the station gives time for any type of program to run as long as it passes FCC regulations.
'We have video from several people within the community that are history buffs.' Zabriskie said. 'We had one person who submitted something on the history of the capitol building. There''s no limit. We invite individuals, groups businesses, corporations.'
The Hive incorporates newscast productions from local schools across the state. Independent films and clips also run on the station at appropriate designated times.
There are a lot of creative and enterprising people out there, and they''re invited to do something with that creativity, Zabriskie said.
Originally, the station was only available on the 4.2 digital frequency.
'It was an experimental station for a long time,' D''Antuono said. 'It''s never easy to start from scratch. All programming used to be local ... it''s kind of television at its earliest roots.'
After getting through regulations and obtaining local cooperation, The Hive opens up to college and high school students a greater opportunity to use a statewide medium for their own media productions.
'There''s a difference between class work and lab work to the real thing,' Zabriskie said. 'The great thing about it is people become their own host on their own series, their own shows.'
The station programming has been blocked into a schedule by content and is not limited to the usual half hour or hour time segments on regular stations.
'The blocks on our schedule are much bigger, depending on what is produced for the block,' Zabriskie said.
During the high school sports slot, footage of a game could be 42 minutes for one block followed by 15 for another.
Original blocks for programs like 'Good Things Utah' and 'Community Interest' will continue to run on the station, with the addition of 'Radio on TV.' The Hive will run live radio using cameras inside KZHT''s 'Z Morning Zoo' on 97.1 FM.
'We are thrilled to present the ''Morning Zoo'' in this new, cutting edge multi-dimensional platform,' said Stu Stanek, the general manager of Clear Channel Radio, in a press release. 'We''ve also spent a fortune on facial enhancements so we think they''ll look good too.'
While viewers can watch the chat between the radio anchors, the TV station will also incorporate music videos to match what the station plays. Locals can also contribute to this segment of programming by submitting their own music video concoctions.
To submit material for viewing on The Hive or for more information, visit www.thehivetv.com.