Michigan Channel debuts its new schedule and programs today (Jan. 30) on Comcast Channel 22, offering viewers a deep dive into the world of ideas.
With added programming and a new name, Michigan Channel builds on its predecessors, Michigan TV2 and UMTV, which also aired on Channel 22. Michigan Channel is a unit of Michigan Public Media, operated by the University.
Michigan Channel focuses on showcasing the most stimulating lectures, roundtables and events occurring on campus, and adds new programming from national research universities. The channel will air the most current U-M fare in prime time, and recent classic material will be broadcast during the afternoon.
In addition, Michigan Channel will offer two new elements: ResearchChannel, comprising lectures and other programming from research universities around the nation; and selected PBS programming, such as “Frontline,” and “NewsHour” with Jim Lehrer, that will play in time slots not offered anywhere else in the market.
“Michigan Channel will give viewers access to thoughtful debate, great ideas and provocative thinkers from the University of Michigan and beyond,” says Lisa Rudgers, vice president for communications. “This is programming that represents a window into the work that occurs at the country’s great research universities, and especially at the U-M.”
Michigan Public Media is the umbrella organization for Michigan Radio and Michigan Television, as well as Michigan Channel.
“I’m delighted to be launching a format that enriches the content viewers have come to expect on Channel 22,” says Donovan Reynolds, Michigan Public Media director. “This is public service broadcasting designed to stretch our minds and satisfy our curiosity.”
For more information about Michigan Public Media, visit: www.michiganpublicmedia.org.
Michigan Channel lineup
Prime time—”Michigan Showcase”
Prime time, 8-10 p.m., will feature “Michigan Showcase,” the newest lectures, roundtables and other events emanating from the University. “Showcase” will feature U-M’s nationally known faculty, as well as prominent visitors to campus. In the past, the University has telecast such offerings as lectures from the Royal Shakespeare Residency, the St. Petersburg Festival, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. anniversary commemoration and Saturday Morning Physics
PBS programs
Leading up to and following prime time will be two segments of PBS programming. Early evening programming begins at 6 p.m. with Charlie Rose, who hosts a wide array of intellectuals, political figures and other newsmakers for interviews and roundtables. At 7 p.m., BBC World Service offers news from an international perspective, originating from London and Washington, D.C. “Mosaic,” a Peabody-award-winning half hour news program that explores how Near Eastern broadcasters are covering the news, will air at 7:30 p.m.
Following “Michigan Showcase” at 10 p.m. will be the “NewsHour” with Jim Lehrer, and at 11 p.m. a PBS documentary, including such programs as “Frontline” and “Independent Lens.”
Window to university research
“ResearchChannel” will be shown 8 a.m.-noon. “ResearchChannel” is named after a non-profit organization created in 1996 to share information with the public about research going on at its member institutions, a consortium of leading research universities and corporate research centers. The programming in this time slot will include lectures, roundtables and other content from the members of the consortium. U-M joined “ResearchChannel” in the summer of 2005.
Michigan lectures will air noon-6 p.m., giving viewers more time slots for viewing lectures, roundtables and other events from U-M. Material shown in prime time during “Michigan Showcase” will be rebroadcast in this time slot.
Full listings and additional information about Michigan Channel can be found at: www.michiganchannel.org.
