The Underappreciated Resource March 14, 2006
Posted by ptvGuy. Comments: , trackback
…the power of the station website is all too often overlooked…
Though they often go unnoticed and underappreciated, most local public television stations have websites–some for the better and some for the worse. I create, maintain, update, and generally pour the majority of my time into just such sites. It started out as a living and became something of a passion.
The power of public television to inform, educate, and even entertain the public on a national level is without question, and the power of small, local stations to be a major resource to the community they serve has been demonstrated repeatedly across the country. However, the power of the local station website is all too often overlooked.
…new, dynamic content is only a little imagination away…
For most of the small market stations out there, their websites are little more than an electronic brochure with a schedule, and that's just a waste. There are numerous free resources available to them, and the creation of new, dynamic content is only a little imagination away. My plan for this blog is to share the various triumphs, frustrations, and day to day stuff that goes along with redesigning and maintaining such sites.
Comments»
Hi Tim. How I would love to see any lively discussion on the subject of being a station web designer, particularly small market stations. There are dozens of us across the country doing this job, but no sense of community. I’ve often thought of starting a ptv resource/design/idea blog but then haven’t for lack of time and audience. But hey, there’s always tomorrow, right?
Hi, ang. I knew I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. Like you, I’ve been waiting for tomorrow myself; I just finally decided to make it today. As far as the number of small-market stations, don’t be fooled into thinking that there are so few of us. I venture to guess that we outnumber the large market stations by more than a few. BTW, I like the WTIU site–especially the teacher resources. You know, I sense an idea sprouting. I’m thinking that I ought to create a station spotlight here. Hmmmm…
I’m at the very beginning stages of redesigning our WNMU-TV site and I’m at the point where I have to make some important decisions. Glad to hear that there are others willing to share ideas. I think PTV sites are unique in that we’re trying to present a whole lot of different stuff to a varied audience (just like on TV) and I’d love to see more discussion of the issues that brings. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Melinda, glad to hear from you. I hope you’ll keep us posted on what you’re doing there. We’d love to hear about things like whether you’re creating an original design or modding the prototype, whether you’re going to get a primary station domain or remain a subdirectory of NMU’s site, you know, the good stuff.