Delta College Public Broadcasting announces name change
Delta College Public Broadcasting has announced its new brand and name: Delta College
Public Media.
The change took place in late August to better align its stations as a service of Delta College. The name of the TV station, formerly Q-TV, is now Delta College Public Media. The radio station, formerly Q-90.1 FM, is now Delta College Public Radio.
Thomas Bennett, general manager of Delta College Public Media, said the new name reflects his team’s work to deliver programs and services in new and innovative ways.
“Our mission to educate, inform, entertain and inspire the communities we serve is as relevant today as it was when we first went on the air over 50 years ago,” said Bennett. “Rebranding our television and radio stations as Delta College Public Media will allow us to focus all of our media services on our mission of community service.”
Delta College Public Media reaches more than 1.4 million viewers and listeners in the Great Lakes Bay Region, Flint, the Thumb and beyond. It has provided community-supported media to inform and entertain since 1964, and it serves as the area’s primary PBS and NPR stations.
The television and radio stations, located on the lower level of Delta’s main campus, is also an academic and broadcasting hub for students in electronic media, broadcasting and journalism programs.
Learn more at DeltaPublicMedia.org.
Dam failure stories
A team from Delta College Public Media produced a documentary about the destruction caused by major flooding in mid-Michigan in May.
On May 19, the Tittabawassee River reached a record-breaking high caused by the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams. The flooding produced damage to 2,300 homes and businesses in five counties, and displaced thousands of people.
The first part of the documentary, “BREACHED! - The Tittabawassee River Disaster,” aired on October 6. The documentary is available to view online on Delta Passport.
Over the course of three weeks, Bob Przybylski, producer and director for Delta College Public Media, and Ron Beacom, producer and host of Delta’s Second Act program, filmed flooded sites in Sanford, Midland and Freeland, as well as neighborhoods and businesses.
In total, the team interviewed 14 individuals who experienced varying levels of destruction.
“We spoke to people who experienced a range of damage, from flooring in their basement to their entire home being swept away,” said Przybylski. “People wanted to tell their story and we’re glad to support our community in this way.”
Przybylski said a follow-up documentary is in the works that will provide updates on the families and where they are now.
Exploring local agriculture
A team from Delta College Public Media explores the region’s agriculture industry in a new documentary, “AG 2.0: Agriculture – Changes, Challenges & Trends,” that premiered in early September.
The documentary was filmed over the course of 15 months by Robert Przybylski, producer and director, and Mike Redford, producer and narrator. It features original music by Pat Cronley.
Przybylski said people in the farming industry have important and unique stories to tell.
“Agriculture has always played a vital role in the economy of Michigan, but it has evolved greatly since the early period of Pioneer settlement,” he said. “You will hear from people across Mid-Michigan and the Thumb, and learn how they are adapting in this ever-changing industry.”
The documentary features topics such as organic farming, agri-tourism and dairy farming. The documentary is available to view online on Delta Passport.