Student TV team scoops award

3:19pm Sunday 13th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

STUDENT broadcasters have been awarded a prestigious accolade.

Last year marked the 40th year of broadcasting at York Student Television (YSTV), based at the University Of York, making it the longest continually-running student television station in the UK.

The anniversary, on November 17, was marked with a special four-hour live broadcast dedicated to the milestone and to raise cash for Children In Need, which fell on the same day.

The success of the live show resulted in the 20 students who took part winning the Best Live Show award at the National Student Television Association Conference.

Finalists from all over the country shared their ideas at the conference and the University of York team were aso highly commended in the title sequence category for YSTV Presents, a music show that features local bands.

Claire Butler, 22, joint producer of the winning live show, said: "We are very proud to have won the award.

"There were 16 finalists and to be chosen as overall winner was very unexpected, but amazing.

"We are the longest running student television station in the UK and we are the only student station that transmits live, so to win the award for best live show really felt like the team's effort had paid off."

YSTV has 70 members and 20 regular volunteers. All took part on the day of the four-hour live show.

"It was a very stressful day," Claire said. "But it paid off in the end.

"It took about a month to plan, but it went without a hitch on the night and this award shows that it is something the team should be proud about."

Alex Hazell, joint producer of the award-winning show, said: "It was a testament to York that the winning show was a real team effort and everyone worked so well together to produce such a technically advanced and entertaining show."

The plaque for Best Live Show now takes pride of place at the student television headquarters.

Claire said: "Every time we do a broadcast we feel proud.

Claire, a chemistry graduate at the university, now plans a career in broadcast journalism.

She said: "Through my two years at the station I know this is what I want to do.

"Like many others who work at the station, I couldn't imagine doing anything else."