Student-run streaming service of Falcons games now available online

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: GREG LATHAM
Members of the Falcons TV crew in the control room. From top: Dan Daniels (Producer), Ethan Preston (Instant Replay), Tracy Donaldson (Professor), William Renaud (Switcher), Allisa Lauricella (Director).

A new streaming service run by Fanshawe students called Falcons TV airs Falcons' games live online so no one ever has to miss a game again.

Greg Latham, a professor of Television Broadcasting at Fanshawe and “general manager” of the channel, said students in the program have been running the closed-circuit station Fanshawe TV for years, a channel that is available on TVs located around campus, but now students are able to gain real- world experience working with live-streamed programming.

“As industry has changed we saw an opportunity to launch a web-based service… that is focused primarily on sports programming,” Latham said. Latham added that running two different services from the same organization functions a lot like Bell Media, which owns both CTV and TSN. Students in the program fulfill department and managerial roles, just like a real television station.

Dan Daniels, the live production manager at Falcons TV, said the station is all about adapting to the changing ways of television and providing Fanshawe students with the best education possible.

“These are very positive experiences for students, especially if they want to get into sports production,” said Daniels. “It's hands-on and practical, I love the experience I get from it.”

There were many financial and mobility barriers preventing the college from being able to run a live-streaming television program of sports events in the past, but with the high demand for programming like this, Latham said equipment has become much more affordable and easy to carry around to events, making this a great opportunity for Fanshawe students.

Not only do Television Broadcasting students get the opportunity to learn a valuable skill, but the athletics department is now showcased for all students to see. The Falcons TV team recently live-streamed the 2015 OCAA men's baseball provincial championship at Labatt Park, where the Falcons earned a silver medal. Latham said it took about 50 students on-site and in studio to make this possible.

“We do our best to showcase our college back to our college community,” Latham said.

Latham said he plans on filming the curling championships in the spring along with the basketball and volleyball games that take place in the gyms at Fanshawe.

Falcons TV programming is available at falconstv.ca.