Many stations have webcasts. Heck, even several newspapers have webcasts. But the program that MyFoxHouston is producing is above and beyond most others. The show is made up of several people at the station, including some who don’t usually appear in front of the camera. Watching the show is like watching a group of friends hang out and talk about what’s going on.
Karen Koch, the producer of the webcast (when she isn’t doing her full-time job in the promotions dept), says the goal was to create a program that is fresh and unique. “Our GM and News Director led the way with a real pioneering spirit, and our corporate folks gave us the freedom to ‘have fun.’ So we did,” said Koch. “In the middle of the busy news day, our Webcast provides a quirky oasis where staffers can contribute content that doesn’t fit the traditional news mold. It’s a chance for everyone to show off different skills and fresh ideas, and I think people really value that.”
The program is streamed live at 4PM central weekdays on myfoxhoustonlive.com, and then is available on loop so you can always catch the most recent show.
So, if your station is producing a webcast and you want to try something new with it, Karen offers the following tips:
Start small, and take calculated risks. None of us were afraid to look stupid, and I think that’s crucial. Also, consider your options. For instance, even though our Webcast is technically a News product, it’s produced by a Promotion employee… and our hosts are non-traditional talent (Assignment Desk Manager and Web Producer respectively). Most of all… just do something that puts the wheels of change in motion, whether you’re dealing with serious subject matter, or something more off-beat. Speaking personally, the lessons we’ve learned from this relatively small chunk of product have created wonderful ripple effects. We simply don’t think the same way we did pre-Webcast, and that leaves us better equipped to tackle other projects with more agility and a fresher perspective.
Do yourself a favor and check out the show. It’s the right tone for the Web audience, and a show that the station should be very proud of.