CNS TV | Philip Merrill College of Journalism

CNS TV
Operated by the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, UMTV produces Maryland Newsline, a nightly news show produced by students under the guidance of instructor/editors. The show brings the latest news and public affairs from Washington, Annapolis, and Prince George's and Montgomery counties to more than 400,000 households in suburban Washington over UMTV, the cable television station of the University of Maryland (Channel 72 in Prince George's County; Channel 2 in Montgomery County).

The newscast avoids the local crime blotter, choosing instead to cover top issues facing the state and nation, working out of UMTV's Richard Eaton Broadcast Center on campus or out of the Capital News Service bureaus next to the State House in Annapolis or in the National Press Building in Washington. The show is produced in the UMTV studios on campus. To view past newscasts, check out Maryland Newsline’s television archives on the Web.

Broadcast bureau students write, report, and anchor the newscast. CNS-TV students receive six credits, and make a full-time commitment to Maryland Newsline. Staff members put in 40-hour work weeks, producing "day-of-air" pieces on the latest news.

CNS-TV crew members responded to Washington and the Pentagon following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. They have covered presidential inaugurations, state and national elections, the NCAA Final Four in Minneapolis, and deadly tornadoes in Prince George's County. CNS-TV video has appeared on local network affiliates in Washington and Baltimore, as well as CBS Network News, even “Access Hollywood.”

To put the news product on the air, Maryland Newsline staff members rely on the latest equipment and technology, the same you'd find in a professional newsroom. Producers, anchors and reporters write their copy and monitor news wires using Associated Press' ENPS news computer system. AP news management systems are the most popular in the world, giving students experience on the same system they will likely find when entering the professional ranks. Associated Press software is used by ABC, ESPN, BBC and more than 200 local newsrooms. In the field, CNS-TV crews use Panasonic DVCPro digital cameras and edit systems.

Becoming a CNS-TV Reporter

The bureau program is open to all journalism majors. We are looking for graduate students or highly motivated juniors and seniors who are planning a career in broadcast journalism and who have taped samples of their work to submit for evaluation.

To apply, drop off your tape, resume and a brief cover letter to Assistant Dean Steve Crane in room 1117 Journalism Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-7111. Bureau reporters for the spring 2008 semester have already been selected. The deadline to apply for the fall 2008 semester is March 28. Only University of Maryland journalism majors are eligible to apply.

For more information, see Mr. Crane or make an appointment to visit UMTV's Richard Eaton Broadcast Center.