Broadcasting, Web2.0
Schools across the country might soon have the opportunity to broadcast all of their high school games via the web, with Webcast America, a new opportunity created by a student in Minneapolis-St. Paul that allows schools to reap broadcast royalties while giving students valuable production experience.
Students get paid — and acquire valuable experience — when they film events, do play-by-play sports commentary and webcast events live on the Web, free to viewers. Parents never have to miss one of their children’s games. And it’s an opportunity for schools to showcase their offerings. Events are streamed live on the Webcast America website, www.webcast50.com, then archived for a year.
In America’s heavily cash-strapped schools, this presents a potential revenue source for the schools as well as many students who do not have the time for a part-time job.
When a school signs up, Webcast America invests about $3,000 for camera equipment, wireless hookups and a laptop. Students, called “webheads,” are trained and paid $10 for each event they cover.