EAST LANSING, Mich. - Many of the offerings of WKAR radio and television - Michigan State University's public broadcasting outlets - as well as both taped and live on-campus events and activities, are coming to a computer near you.
Two new Internet services, using a technology called streaming, debut on Thursday, making MSU sounds and images and WKAR programming available to a worldwide audience of computer users.
This technology will make available WKAR's locally produced radio and TV programs, as well as some of the programs offered by National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI). Many will be in real-time and most will be archived so the viewer/listener can access whenever convenient.
In addition, a new service called WMSU.org will give MSU units an opportunity to place videos of their events, programs and other activities on the web. There also is the possibility that events such as commencement or the president's State of the University speech will be broadcast live.
"This opens another door to the university for people throughout the state and, literally, around the world," said Paul M. Hunt, MSU's vice provost for libraries, computing and technology. "This is essentially a repository for videos, much like our library is a repository for books."
The MSU site, which can be accessed at www.WMSU.org, will promote the university's people, programs and events, Hunt said. It will feature video of various events, including speakers, announcements and promotional pieces, as well as information on MSU services. It also will provide video for instructional purposes.
"The site will provide schools and others access to resources they couldn't tap into anywhere else," he said. "For example, we could make available lectures from the recent conference we sponsored on race in America."
All the material on www.WMSU.org will be archived, giving viewers the opportunity to access at their convenience.
Fans of WKAR-TV around the world will have the opportunity to see video of live and archived local programming on the station's Web site - www.wkar.org.
This will include live streaming of programs produced by WKAR-TV such as "Off the Record," "Michigan at Risk" and "QuizBusters," as well as archived video that can be accessed on demand.
On the radio side, webcasting plans include live streaming of the FM's classical, folk, jazz and new age programs, as well as some NPR programs.
"There is a large segment of the population, in Michigan and elsewhere, that doesn't have access to classical music," said Steven K. Meuche, director of MSU's Broadcasting Services. "We're hopeful this will serve to fill that void."
Negotiations to acquire the rights to webcast popular shows such as "Morning Edition," "All Things Considered" and "A Prairie Home Companion" are continuing and Meuche is hopeful those programs will be available in the near future.
WKAR-AM will offer live its issues-oriented call-in shows that air from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. These shows also will be archived for up to two weeks. Other shows that will be streamed live, but not archived, include "Ondas en Espanol," "Broadway Onstage and Backstage," "AARP Prime Time" and "The People's Pharmacy." WKAR news features also will be available in the archive.
"We have many listeners who are located on the fringe of our broadcast area," Meuche said. "This will give them a chance to tune in and listen to our shows at their convenience. It will also give MSU alumni the opportunity to re-establish ties with their university."
With the launching of this venture, WKAR becomes the first NPR station in Michigan to provide 24-hour webcast service.
To access WMSU.org or WKAR radio and TV programming, your computer system must be equipped with RealPlayer software, available for free at www.real.com.