WAMC Live Video Stream Launched

ALBANY, NY (02/02/2010)(readMedia)-- Today WAMC Northeast Public Radio officially launches its new live video stream, once again making the network a frontrunner in the public radio industry. Now listeners can not only "listen live" on WAMC's audio stream, they can watch much of the WAMC programming live, in real time. The WAMC community, which spans the world thanks to the internet, now has the opportunity to watch what is happening behind the scenes of their favorite WAMC programming like The Roundtable, Medical Monday, the fund drives, Vox Pop and many more of the locally produced live shows. The launch is a result of an idea by WAMC's President and CEO, Alan Chartock, who has been the visionary behind much of the cutting edge progress made by WAMC.

"We are very proud of the work we are doing to keep current with incredibly fast-moving technological changes. The new studio-cams give listeners a real look into what makes live radio. So much of what we do is unscripted and off-the-cuff -- take the fund drives. You never know what's going to happen next and we like to think of it as T.V. vérité, now you can see it all, first-hand," stated Alan Chartock, President and CEO of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

As the line behind traditional, tower-based radio and digital internet-delivered content blurs, WAMC strives to stay ahead of the technological curve. This added feature emphasizes the community aspect of the 21 facility network, which brings award-winning news and information programming to listeners in portions of seven northeast states. It also has the potential to bring a new revenue stream into the station, which is supported largely by the contributions of businesses and individuals. Businesses and organizations that choose to underwrite WAMC programming will have an opportunity to make a visual statement, as well as an audio one.

Future plans include taking the technology on the road with live remotes, giving viewers the chance to see what's cooking at the Culinary Institute of America or watch a rehearsal at Tanglewood and a live concert at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio.

Says Pat Cooney, Associate Vice President of Operations, "We hope to eventually present live debate, concerts and more to our viewers and members as we move ahead with the use of this technology." Our plan is that listeners will eventually be able to watch recorded programs like the Media Project or Congressional corner. "In time," added Cooney, "there is no end to what we hope to be able to do."

The link is located on WAMC's listen live page or by going to http://www.wamc.org/wamcvideo.html and requires a free download of Silverlight Player for viewing.

WAMC Northeast Public Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day with information and cultural programming from stations reaching parts of seven northeastern states. WAMC is an award winning producer of regionally based programming. As stated earlier, WAMC is a member station of National Public Radio and is affiliated with Public Radio International and American Public Media. http://www.wamc.org/

WAMC-FM 90.3 FM, Albany; WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga; WRUN, 90.3 FM, Remsen-Utica; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; 93.1 FM, Troy; 99.3 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.1 FM, Warwick; 107.7 FM, Newburgh; 103.9 FM, Beacon; 96.5 FM, Ellenville; 106.9, Middletown; 102.1, Highland, NY and 90.9 FM, Milford, PA.; 97.3 FM, Cooperstown and on-line at http://www.wamc.org/.