Wayne State University and Detroit Public TV Launch New Midtown Studio

Historic partnership brings public television production back to Detroit with original, local programming and hands-on training for students

DETROIT, March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wayne State University and Detroit Public Television (DPTV), WTVS Channel 56, today announced the launch of a new Midtown Detroit studio at 5057 Woodward Ave. The studio is located in the landmark Maccabees Building, owned by Wayne State. The studio was once home to WXYZ-TV Channel 7 and the official birthplace of the iconic "Soupy Sales Show."

"This WSU–DPTV studio collaboration creates an opportunity for us to bring TV production back to Midtown," said Matthew Seeger, interim dean of the Wayne State College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. "In addition to revitalizing the historic relationship that existed between Wayne State and WTVS through the late 1970s, the new studio will serve as a training ground for our media arts students, many of whom plan to stay in Michigan after graduation and become part of the state's growing TV and film industry."  

In the 1950s and 1960s, Wayne State's University Television co-produced educational, entertainment, and public affairs programs with DPTV. Today that partnership continues with the Wayne State University School of Business and DPTV co-production of "Leaders on Leadership," an Emmy award–winning talk show that delves into the success strategies of globally significant CEOs and newsmakers.

The studio will be the new venue for taping "Leaders on Leadership," which is currently produced at St. Andrews Hall on the Wayne State University campus. In preparation, the studio will undergo a phased renovation that includes the addition of new equipment and enhanced capabilities like the origination of live programming for transmission to DPTV from the studio.  "Leaders on Leadership" will feature a live taping of Wayne State University President Allan Gilmour as part of the official March 25th opening of the studio.

DPTV will use its high-definition remote truck to provide production facilities for the studio until permanent equipment is installed. The truck will also be used for student instruction. DPTV will establish internships for Wayne State students that combine hands-on educational instruction with opportunities to produce content for the station.

Upon completion of the studio, DPTV and Wayne State will expand their collaboration beyond "Leaders on Leadership" and potentially partner to produce DPTV's local public affairs shows, such as "Am I Right" and "American Black Journal." DPTV will continue to operate permanent studios in its Wixom headquarters, in addition to the new Detroit studio.

According to Rich Homberg, president and general manager of Detroit Public Television, the new Midtown studio will play an important role in engaging the community and leadership organizations to tackle the city's toughest challenges – children and education, arts and culture, energy and the environment, leadership and public affairs, and health issues.

"With both a radio operation (WRCJ 90.9 FM, managed by DPTV for the Detroit Public Schools in the Detroit School of Arts) and now again a television operation in Detroit, a new headquarters building and the state's only full, high-definition production truck, Detroit Public TV is well positioned to serve Metro Detroit and beyond," said Homberg. "With the new studio collaboration, we are proud to build on our historic relationship with Wayne State University."

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.

WTVS Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the non-commercial, viewer-supported PBS-member station watched by more than 1.5 million people in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and another 1.2 million people throughout Canada. DPTV also manages WRCJ 90.9 FM, Detroit's classical and jazz radio station, in collaboration with the license-holder, the Detroit Public Schools. The radio station is located in the Detroit School of Arts. DPTV is licensed to the Detroit Educational Television Foundation and governed by a volunteer board of trustees from the local business, civic, and cultural communities.

SOURCE Wayne State University