Eagan has launched a first-of-its-kind public access community television studio located on a corporate campus.  The unique partnership with Thomson Reuters in Eagan means more direct dollars for community TV, greater mentorship opportunities for Eagan youth, and offers significant new opportunities for public involvement and community generated media.

The operation will be known as Eagan Television—or E-TV for short—and will involve a mentorship program between the City, Thomson Reuters, and Eagan High School youth interested in broadcasting, corporate communications or government communications.

“This will be a great way for high school students in Eagan to learn real world skills in a multi-discipline environment,” says Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire. E-TV will continue to involve community volunteers of all ages. After proper training, residents may check out camera equipment and produce videos or programming for public viewing, so long as the programming meets access guidelines.

In addition to a new fully digital public access studio on the lower level of Thomson Reuters’ main building at Opperman Drive and Highway 149, Eagan residents will have additional viewing options on a revised channel line-up.  Among the new channels are opportunities to view ISD 191, 196 & 197 programming, the continued cablecasting of government meetings and community events, and a brand new E-TV channel aimed at youth- and community-generated programming.

“We’re excited to focus on the Eagan community and to provide the training and mentoring for community members to produce programming of interest,” said E-TV Studio Supervisor Jeff Ongstad.

The changes come about because the lease at the former Burnsville Eagan Community Television studio located near Diffley Road and Highway 13 expired at the end of 2008. Burnsville elected to open its own studio at Burnsville Senior High School in partnership with Independent School District 191. The Eagan City Council then approved a memorandum of understanding to have Thomson Reuters construct a new studio in exchange for a negotiated number of hours of video services.  Both cities will still share use of a mobile production van used for athletic games and public events.

When the grand opening is held in February the public will find a larger studio capable of more types of production than before, updated editing and camera gear, a more energy efficient light grid, and a studio capable of taking live call-ins or e-mailed questions. (Check this Web site for open house dates and latest details.) It should be noted that funding for the E-TV operation is not drawn from and does not impact property taxes.

Access to the studio is simple. Visitors may park in the Thomson Visitors lot  and approach the front security desk . An E-TV staff member will be called to escort guests and access users to the studio. Tours are available to Eagan groups with prior arrangement.

“The partnership between the City of Eagan, Eagan High School and Thomson Reuters builds on our long-standing history of both cooperation and innovation and enhances the benefits of public/private partnerships,” said Peter Warwick, chief executive officer, Thomson Reuters Legal. “As a technology business we see video as a powerful means of reaching all of our constituents. Working together we can create something that will be of great value to the city, local high school and our business.”

“In these resource-challenged times, this is a new and exciting model for community television partnerships,” said Eagan Communications Director Tom Garrison. “We are accomplishing together what perhaps none of us could do alone.”

Eagan TV Channel Line-up

Channel 20 – ETV (All Eagan, All the Time)

Channel 19 – School District 196

Channel 18 – School District 191

Channel 16 – Eagan Government Meetings & Programs

Channel 15 – Eagan Community Access

Channel 14 – Burnsville Community Access/School Dist. 197

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