Students who cannot find anything to watch during the days that separate each O.C. episode may discover a new alternative starting Jan. 31 on Channel 70 for cable users.
NDtv, the student-run television network that premiered two years ago, will be back on the air, and this time it will have full access to the channel and will broadcast 12 hours every day - a vast improvement from the single hour it enjoyed in its beginnings.
Viewers who tune in fortuitously are likely to enjoy repetitions of "The Mike Peterson Show," Notre Dame's own late night comedy show.
Host and FTT student Mike Peterson is already an easily recognizable celebrity on the Saint Mary's campus, where cable is installed in every residence hall.
NDtv Executive Director Adam Fairholm said he is confident that once cable television becomes available in all 27 Notre Dame residence halls next fall semester, more students will also make Mike Peterson and Joe Lattal household names and become acquainted with the rest of the NDtv lineup.
Lattal, a junior, will headline a new show this spring following the departure of NDtv's flagship face, Peterson, who will be studying abroad until May.
In his absence, "The Mike Peterson Show" will be renamed "Late Night ND," and will be hosted by Lattal.
The producers of "Late Night ND" have announced there will be four special tapings of the show in Legends throughout the semester.
The network also expects to reach more viewers with the introduction of video podcasts of the NDtv programming, available from iTunes. Available programming will include episodes of "The Mike Peterson Show," "NDtv News" and "NDtv Sports."
For three seasons, "NDtv News" has covered issues of concern to the Notre Dame student body, ranging from investigative reports on the development of the 2006 "The Shirt Project," to the Copy Shop controversy to the Supreme Court nominations.
"NDtv Sports" offers coverage and commentary regarding Notre Dame's varsity sports.
The station hopes to further diversify its lineup this semester with the premiere of "Office Hours," an in-depth interview show with sophomore Bob Costa. Some of the guests scheduled to appear in the first season include Father Jenkins, Olympic Gold medalist Mariel Zagunis and Father Richard McBrien, a consultant and advisor for the upcoming film "The DaVinci Code."
Starting this semester, NDtv also intends to air tapings of "The Best of Acousticafe."
In its third year, NDtv has seen its membership increase from 14 one year ago to almost 70 today. Reasons for NDtv's dramatic membership increase over the last two semesters may include its growing popularity among students and the creative opportunities it offers to those involved.
Though there are no paid positions, students spend considerable amounts of time producing and editing the shows in the station's studio in Washington Hall.
Sophomore and NDtv marketing director Jacqui Acuna said students put in a lot of work at the station and are experienced workers.
"Many of the students involved in NDtv have interned at local stations during the summer after they provided samples of their work at NDtv," Acuna said.
Acuna said the opportunities the station provides are extensive.
"There are political science, marketing, journalism, sociology and even electrical engineering students working at NDtv, because the network deals with so many research, creative and technical processes," she said.
Acuna also said the fact that the station is run by students has appeal to student viewers.
"'Student-run' has a popular draw," she said. "NDtv's shows are written, filmed and produced entirely by students, and that attracts more than just FTT majors."
