SATV is up and running on Channel 46, and in an effort to attract more viewers, station directors have announced a string of new shows that will have a more "adult focus," according to SA officials.
The new shows, part of a programming bloc known as "SATV: After Hours," will be produced by and include students in starring roles. Station directors have likened the format of these late-night shows to the broadcasts on "Skinemax," cable station Cinemax's soft-core pornography programs.
While some people may balk at the content of these shows, SATV and video director Tyler Bennett said the shows will be done "tastefully" and that they will attract enough new viewers to be worth the associated risk.
"There are enough students that watch these types of shows on other networks, so why not join the bandwagon?" Bennett said. "I think it will increase our audience ten-fold. Plus, students seem to be more than willing to help create these shows, whether they are writing far-fetched storylines or going for the money shot."
According to Bennett, students have been pouring in with ideas for both regular series as well as made-for-SATV-movies, some of which have already gone through production and are ready to air.
Regular series that are set to premiere next week include "SWJ Sex Court," a court-style sex drama; "E-Board: Sex, Lies, and Videotape," which will feature various members of the Student Association e-board as well as other SA officials and employees; and "Ride the Bulls," a regular series that will showcase group liaisons between prominent on-campus organizations.
The first episode of "Ride the Bulls" will feature the men's football team and the UB Dazzlers. According to Bennett, viewers should look forward to future episodes featuring the College Republicans, the Feminist Action Group, UB Students Against Sweatshops, and SARPA.
"We've gotten a really strong student response so far," Bennett said. "You wouldn't believe how excited some of these kids are. Sometimes they're even visibly excited when they walk into my office."
Some students, like Mike Hunt, said they are eager to see the new shows.
"I'm thrilled to hear about the direction SATV is going in," said Hunt, a junior gynecology major. "Not gonna lie, I'll be tuning in every night. These shows are going to be more addictive than the Facebook."
Harry Balzano, a freshman aerospace engineering major, agreed with Hunt and said that he, too, is eager to see the new late-night line-up.
"Are you kidding? Porn is the only reason I haven't committed major-related suicide. I'm an aerospace engineering major for God's sake, porn is what keeps me going, man."
Other students, like Stella Virgin, were less excited about the proposed programming.
"I'm not sure if that kind of show is appropriate for SATV", said Virgin, a freshman biology major. "My boyfriend likes to watch those types of shows a lot, but I'm not a fan. I can't imagine that many students would be a fan of those types of shows."
Regardless of student response, however, SATV's staff is ready and willing to push forward with the show ideas.
"We have a number of ideas in development and we've already made a few pilot shows ourselves," said Dixie Wrecked, a sophomore media studies major who works for SATV. "It's actually been a lot of fun. We just set up the office with wine and candles and do what happens naturally, and 'voila,' a show is made."
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
