» By ERICKA CONLEY – [email protected]

The GovTV Channel 99, which broadcasts public and educational programs produced by students, is now carried on the AT&T U-Verse network.

U-Verse is a fiber optic technology that combines Internet, digital television and digital home service. U-Verse also includes a home DVR digital video recorder.

“AT&T U-Verse approached us. We had been providing programming for a number of years through Charter, CDE and campus video. We had been doing this 24/7 for 10 years or more. AT&T came to us and gave us the opportunity to join with AT&T U-Verse,” said Mike Gotcher, chair of the Department of Communication. “We have been working on this since May 2010.”

“They saw a product we were putting out there for the community and saw an opportunity to get this product out for their consumers,” Gotcher said. “I am very proud of the signal that we have. I am very proud of the work that our students do. We are able to reach an audience from Jackson to Crossville.”

The GovTV began to broadcast with U-Verse on Wednesday, Nov. 16. There is no additional charge to subscribers.

All of the productions done for Channel 99 are student directed and produced. The students who work in production are Communication students, but working in the department is open to any students who have the willingness to learn.

Most programs shown on GovTv Channel 99 are weekly programs.

There are sports shows such as “The Trodglen Perspective,” which is hosted by Jimmy Trodglen, sports editor at The Leaf-Chronicle. The show features coaches and players from all different sports at APSU during a 30-minute time slot.

There is a political talk show called “Inside the System,” which is one of the longest running shows on GovTv.

“Every production has a student producer, director, audio and camera [operator],” said Joe Mendes, sports production graduate assistant.

Basketball, football, soccer, volleyball and softball game coverage has also been produced by students for GovTV.

Channel 99 has also hosted mayoral debates and, in 2012, they will have live presidential election coverage.

GovTv shown on the U-Verse network allows for higher picture resolution and a DVR is included in most plans. With certain AT&T plans, Channel 99 can also be accessed from AT&T mobile phones and U-Verse online.

AT&T has also made it possible to access U-Verse through U-Verse Mobile, U-Verse Phone Services on TV, YP/TV and U-Verse Online. TAS