Contact: Harriet Laird

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s TV channel, MSTV, has relaunched in high definition with new programming and expanded coverage.

With its first significant channel upgrade in more than a decade, the new HD digital channel, operated by the University Television Center, is available to MaxxSouth Broadband subscribers in the Golden Triangle and those with C Spire Fiber TV throughout the state. Before the improvements, it only served the Starkville area in standard definition.

“This represents an increasingly valuable partnership between the university and C Spire Fiber TV and MaxxSouth Broadband and the subscribers they serve, and we’re grateful for their cooperation,” said MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter. “It’s also a real victory for MSU’s University Television Center in exponentially expanding the market for broadcast content the university is already producing. I congratulate David Garraway and his staff for their leadership and hard work in this venture.”

In addition to better picture quality, MSU’s UTC has debuted a slate of new programming, from arts, entertainment and news to health, fitness and personal enrichment.

The channel leverages expertise from university faculty, staff and students, creating content that’s both timely and compelling. Future MSTV offerings will include club level sports, including Bulldog ice hockey, documentaries on influential MSU alumni, live coverage of special campus events, extension programming and highlights of student-produced work.

“It was important for us to not only upgrade to high definition, but change our programming slate to reflect our viewers’ interests. Our on-campus collaborations have resulted in the creation of Music Makers Presents, an original music performance program, and Wakeup Workout, a home fitness show,” UTC Director David Garraway said, adding, “Additional programs are in development, using the best university resources to produce content with definite viewer appeal.”

The channel is available on the following networks:

--MaxxSouth Broadband (MSU campus system):

--TVs without a set-top box

98 analog standard definition

111-5 standard definition

128-5 high definition

--TVs with a set-top box

98 standard definition

798 high definition

--MaxxSouth Broadband (Starkville area):

98 standard definition

1098 high definition

--C Spire Fiber TV (statewide): Channel 80

MSU’s UTC has worked closely with MaxxSouth Broadband and C Spire to transition the channel, with these partnerships bringing the university into more homes than ever.

“MaxxSouth Broadband, continuing its commitment to improve the variety and quality of services available in your area, is very pleased to launch MSTV in high-definition format within our expanding HD lineup,” said Peter Kahelin, MaxxSouth Broadband’s president and CEO.

“We, at MaxxSouth, value our growing partnership with Mississippi State University, and the MSU Television Center is committed to bringing innovative content to the community, through their state-of-the-art high-definition facility. Our broadcast of their TV channel, MSTV, to all our Starkville area cable TV customers is one way in which we support this unique contribution that MSU brings to our community.”

Suzy Hays, senior vice president of Consumer Markets for C Spire, said, “Starkville is an important Mississippi market for C Spire - so it’s only natural that we would partner with Mississippi State University to air their newly upgraded HD TV station, MSTV, on our C Spire Fiber TV network. 

“We’re always looking for compelling content, and MSTV--with its mix of educational, fitness, music and other related programming produced by students and faculty--will be a great addition to our channel lineup in all service areas.”

For more information regarding the channel, including an online program guide, visit www.utc.msstate.edu or follow on Twitter @MsstateTV.