By Erik Uhlik
\nSpecial to In Motion<\/p>\n
Like a living entity, WDSC-Channel 15, Daytona State\u2019s education-minded television station, is constantly evolving with each passing year. Since its inception, it has focuses not only on being a professionally operated TV station, but just as importantly an educational facility.
\nThe current broadcast day is 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the school\u2019s educational programs offer training for no less than 15 jobs within the television industry. It began operating as WCEU in 1985 because Orlando\u2019s public station was ignoring Volusia County\u2019s programming needs. In the early years, the program day was three hours, but four years later, WCEU became a Public Broadcast System station member, subscribing to educational, but also very expensive programming options.
\nIn 1992 the station expanded its broadcast range to Orlando and viewer numbers grew to over one million people. A decade later, the station became the sole PBS licensee in Central Florida due to other station closures. During 2008 the name was changed to WDSC-Channel 15 to better reflect its connection with Daytona State College. On Dec. 15 of the same year, WDSC led the nation in meeting a federal mandate to move to digital by shutting down its analog transmitter which was broadcasting on UHF Channel 15. It is currently broadcasting on UHF digital 33 and virtual channel 15.
\nThe station currently continues to air public television from sources like the National Educational Telecommunications Association and American Public Television, although it is no longer a PBS affiliate.
\nAssociate Professor Anita Bevins began working at Daytona State College 12 years ago as a contract producer. She eventually branched out into teaching at the school in 2011. Her main purpose is to educate and supervise students, but she is also responsible for development and coordination of activities within the station, along with producing programming for the station.
\n\u201cThe station serves two main purposes, to provide local content and fulfill its mission requirements,\u201d says Bevins. \u201cIt is important to the community because of the local content it produces. It fulfills the interests of the community and is a tremendous asset to the college.\u201d
\nAs the school has grown, so has the television program. The school recently introduced a two-year Television Production AS degree to accompany its current Television Certificate Program. Mike Rentnelli, the Production Manager, has worked at the station since 1994. With almost 24 years of experience at WDSC, he wears many hats at the station. He is responsible for producing, directing, editing, graphics production, engineering assistant, troubleshooting and repairs.
\nRentnelli says, \u201cThe station is critical to the community because of its unique programming, hands on experience it offers the students of the programs and occasional freelance job opportunities. We are unique in that our mission requires that we show completely different programming than any other Central Florida public television station.\u201d
\nThe station left behind its PBS membership when Governor Rick Scott cut public television funding in the state by $4.8 million in 2011.
\n\u201cThe programs we show are now part of our NETA subscription. Some programming is free and some are purchased,\u201d explains Rentnelli.
\nLast summer the college invested in a fiber optic upgrade to its capabilities to support the new degree program. The design of the campus allowed the school to place cameras at several venues. As part of that effort, says Rentnelli, \u201cWe now cover 14 different sporting events and produce a coach\u2019s show to promote those programs.\u201d
\nStation\u2019s Manager Larry Lowe is also Chief Engineer, Master Control Operator and Programming Director. He was responsible for planning the fiber optic upgrades and the station\u2019s programming choices. He\u2019s also a former student in the TV production program. Naturally, he\u2019s extremely proud of the station, what they\u2019ve been able to accomplish and what the station brings to the community and College.
\n\u201cWe not only carry local programs, we also broadcast Australian, British and Irish news content,\u201d says Lowe. \u201cWe are the dream station. Although not a copy of WESH -TV, it is very similar. The design is spacious, efficient and user-friendly.\u201d
\nThe station currently employs five people and is ultimately funded by the College\u2019s Board of Trustees. The station\u2019s budget is substantial, but so is the cost of running it.
\nAs the curriculum expands so does the cost. The station annually hosts an \u201cEnd-of-Year Gift Giving Campaign,\u201d and actively seeks corporate and individual donors throughout the year.
\nAnyone who enjoys the station\u2019s alternative, largely ad-free programming can make a donation. The station has a link to do so on its main page. Or feel free to visit the website at www.daytonastate.edu\/wdsc and give with an open heart and educated mind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Erik Uhlik Special to In Motion Like a living entity, WDSC-Channel 15, Daytona State\u2019s education-minded television station, is constantly evolving with each passing year. Since its inception, it has focuses not only on being a professionally operated TV station, but just as importantly an educational facility. The current broadcast Continue reading WDSC: Constantly evolving asset for Daytona Beach<\/span>