In this episode: we tested out a new show format for the Richmond News Review - live podcasting with listener call-in participation. It was a little rough around the edges compared to the usual podcast, but we did have a few callers as we prepped for the Presidential debate, and we talked about what this kind of broadcast means for media and information exchange in Richmond.  Enjoy!

 

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Let us know what you think about this additional format - or even better, join us for the next RNR Live show on Wednesday, October 1st 2008 at 8:30 PM. You can just listen or join our live show chat room, but you can also call in with your phone or computer to share your thoughts - learn more about participating in our live broadcasts.

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We're trying out something new with the Richmond News Review - a live call-in version of the show. We'd like to try it out in a "dress rehearsal" episode prior to this evening's political debate.

If you'd like to participate by calling in to discuss the issues of the day and share your opinion, and if you won't mind being patient through the inevitable technical glitches that can come up in a live broadcast, please join us.

The live broadcast will take place from 8:30 until about 8:50 PM, and may be shorter or longer depending on participation and how well the tech works.   You can join the pre-show chat as early as 8:15 PM.  All of the information you need to listen, chat and call in will be available on our Listen page under the "Live Broadcasts" heading  We'll keep it pretty informal, so don't worry about having anything coherent to say if you do call in.

If things go well, we'll also post the recording of the show as a new episode.

A follow-up on a previous story covered by the RNR: in March we interviewed WCTV station director John Dalton and talked with him about the problems with the station's live broadcasts of events around town - poor quality signal and eventually no signal at all. Because WCTV depends on infrastructure managed by Insight Communications to air these live broadcasts, the station has been optimistic in working with the company to see that the issues are addressed. But in a message to WCTV viewers today, Dalton indicated that Insight has been dragging their feet in making the needed repairs, and as a result, the station won't be able to broadcast Richmond High School, Indiana University East, Earlham College and Ivy Tech graduations ceremonies.

"On March 1, we were told by Insight techs that the live system was no longer usable because of changes in Insight’s network. In layperson’s terms, the growth of Insight’s telephony service has more or less crowded out our capacity for live broadcasts...On April 16 we were able to return to live broadcasts from the City and County Buildings courtesy of a new fiber run by Insight. However, we have yet to learn from Insight their intentions for repairing the rest of the system. I was told by Insight that they would have a timeline in place for me to present at the April 2 City Council meeting, but that timeline has yet to appear...As I have no further information from Insight, I feel as if I have no choice but to announce that these live broadcasts will not go forward this year."