Texas Student Television

K29HW-D
Austin, Texas
Branding TSTV
Channels Digital: 29 (UHF)
Affiliations Independent / Bloomberg / Fuse
Owner University of Texas at Austin
Founded 1995
Former callsigns K09VR (1995-2010)
Former channel number(s) Analog:
9 (VHF, 1995-2010)
Transmitter power 3400 watts
Website TSTV

K29HW-D channel 29, known on-air as TSTV (Texas Student Television) is the student-run television station of The University of Texas at Austin, operated by Texas Student Media. Founded in 1995 as K09VR (KVR) channel 9, it is one of only a handful of FCC-licensed television stations in the country run entirely by students.

TSTV broadcasts a low-power signal over-the-air on digital channel 29.1 in the Austin metropolitan area. TSTV is also found on channel 15 via the campus cable system serving the University. Austin Community Access TV, a public-access television service on Time Warner Cable channel 16, airs a weeknight block of TSTV programming from 9PM to 10PM.

The station features such long time shows such as KVR News, Sneak Peek, College Crossfire, Good Morning Texas, College Press Box, Local Live, and Videogame Hour Live. One show, Campus Loop, was nationally syndicated on the College Broadcast network. It was produced from 1999 until 2001 and still airs repeats today.

Notable Hollywood personalities have appeared on several of the station's shows or segments, including Pauly Shore, Mark Cuban, Dennis Quaid and Robert Rodriguez.

Writer, producer and director Wes Anderson was briefly affiliated with the station as a student at the University. Here he met future collaborator Owen Wilson. Zach Anner, Internet star and host of the OWN show "Rollin' with Zach Anner" worked at the station, starring and producing such shows like "That's Awesome!" and "The Wingmen".[1] Creator of Red vs. Blue and Rooster Teeth Productions, Burnie Burns worked at the station in the early nineties and created their longest running show, "Sneak Peek".

Todd Berger, writer and director of the films The Scenesters and It's a Disaster, worked at the station in the late 1990s, and wrote and directed Campus Loop.[2]

Digital television

In January 2010, TSTV began broadcasting digitally on UHF channel 29.1 under a new call sign, K29HW-D. Fund-raising efforts were held to raise the $85,000 needed to convert the station to digital.[3] As a low-power station, K09VR was not required to meet the June 12, 2009 deadline to convert from analog to digital. This rule applied only to full-power U.S. TV stations. Its license for analog channel 9 (K09VR) has since been cancelled. In June 2011, TSTV increased transmitter power to 3400 watts, enhancing its coverage across most of Austin, and to an estimated 75,000 households who watch television via antenna.

Programming

TSTV's programming schedule consists of shows produced by students, ranging from scripted comedy shows, news (entertainment and sports), and musical variety shows.

Current Programming on TSTV

Longhorn LateNight: Each episode features LHLN cast members performing different comedic sketches, live satirical news reports, pre-recorded sketches, and musical performances. Live sketches are performed in the TSTV Studio in the Hearst Student Media Building (HSM). Students are encouraged to come watch episodes in the studio audience. NEW episodes air LIVE every Tuesday at 11:00 P.M. CST.

Down To Film: A meta comedy about the cast and crew of the show Down to Film and their struggle to keep their show on the air, against both the mundane and the supernatural. NEW episodes air every other Friday at 9:30 P.M. CST.

Sneak Peek: the longest running program on TSTV. Episodes feature the latest in entertainment news, from movie reviews to film festivals and celebrity interviews. NEW episodes air LIVE every Thursday at 9:30 P.M. CST.

Austin Underground: Austin Underground is a music entertainment program which focuses on touring musicians coming to Austin, covering local and major acts, as well as major music festivals in Austin and all over Texas. NEW episodes air every Thursday at 8:00 P.M. CST.

References

  1. ↑ Zach Anner flattens 'Next Oprah' competition
  2. ↑ Todd Berger: Film Method
  3. ↑ UT TV station scrambles to make digital flip: Texas Student Television needs $40,000 for new transmitter, Joshunda Sanders, AMERICAN-STATESMAN, April 18, 2009
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