BOONE—In partnership with SkyBest Communications, Inc., Appalachian State University’s television station, AppTV, will expand its programming to Ashe, Alleghany and Johnson counties in Tennessee as well as increase coverage in Avery and Watauga counties.
In celebration of the launch of this partnership, AppTV invites subscribers (Skybest channels 20 or 1020, Charter channel 198) to tune in at 8 p.m. on July 14 to view the documentary “The Land Sustains Us, A Todd Story,” produced by a group of local residents. A panel discussion follows.
Dr. Patricia Beaver, retired anthropology professor and the former director of the Center for Appalachian Studies, will host the event from Studio A at the George G. Beasley Media Complex in Boone. Beaver and her guests, North Carolina Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Patricia Mitchell and Rev. Brandon Wrencher of Blackburn Community Outreach, Inc., will discuss how the recent housing and business development affects the sense of community in the village of Todd and other areas of the High Country.
“We treasure a rich ecology and deep history in these mountains. As change occurs, what do we keep? What do we set aside? What do we negotiate in order to nurture healthy communities? We will address these and other questions on the AppTV program,” Beaver said.
“The Land Sustains Us, A Todd Story” was produced in 2013 and funded by the North Carolina Humanities Council and the Conservation Fund. Martha Enzmann directed the documentary in collaboration with videographer Suzanne Clouzeau and interviewer James Lewis.
“We created this documentary as a way to have a conversation about our relationship to the land,” remarked Enzman. We believe the material is still pertinent today. “By opening a dialogue between natives and newcomers, our communities will make informed decisions about sustainable economic development,” Clouzeau added.
SkyBest is committed to featuring local programming such as high school sports, area news and community events not available from any other TV service provider. Known for its longtime commitment to community outreach, SkyBest has supported Appalachian State Athletics, An Appalachian Summer Festival and the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship and welcomes this latest endeavor with the Department of Communication.
“SkyBest is excited about our newest collaboration with Appalachian State University,” said SkyLine CEO and SkyBest President Jimmy Blevins. “The addition of AppTV will further enhance SkyBest TV’s lineup by bringing exceptional local and regional programming produced through Appalachian State’s Department of Communication. We are glad to provide this additional avenue for App State students and faculty to showcase the university and our region as a whole.”
About AppTV
AppTV is the student-staffed television service of Appalachian’s Department of Communication in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. The station’s original programs cover topics from sports to current events, religion, and media. AppTV is available on Charter Cable channel 198 in Watauga and Avery counties, North Carolina, and Johnson County, Tennessee and Channel 23.3 on App State’s campus. Our live streaming and on-demand library of original programs can be viewed on www.watchapptv.com. For more information, visit apptv.appstate.edu or follow @watchapptv.com.
About SkyBest
SkyBest Communications, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyLine Membership Corporation. Established in 1951, SkyLine provides telecommunications services to customers in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties in North Carolina and Johnson County in Tennessee. Along with its current focus of building a fiber‐to‐the‐ premise (FTTP) network, SkyLine is committed to enhancing the quality of life across the region through various charitable, educational and economic development programs.
Media Contacts
Karen Powell
SkyLine | SkyBest
(336) 876‐6117
karen.powell@skyline.org
Olga Z. Monacell
AppTV, Appalachian State University
(828) 262-2406
monacelloz@appstate.edu
AppTV
AppTV