ULM’s Mass Communications department has recently partnered with local television network, Family Friendly TV, to create commercials and TV shows which will bring exposure to the communications department as well as the rest of the university.

Geared towards family friendly content, FFTV’s programming includes gaming, sports and some Christian shows.

As a local station here in Monroe, FFTV wanted to connect with a local university and expand their exposure, so they decided to focus their attention on ULM.

“We want to keep this as a community station because that’s what we are,” said Peter Tuberville, general manager of FFTV. “But when we’re involving our local schools and colleges to get on board – that’s where the viewers come from.”

Along with the other content, the station will include 30-second commercials promoting the communications department and university, as well as 30-minute television shows that align with the promos, all of which the mass communications department is responsible for supplying.

“The promo is what is going in between our programming, 24/7. It’s going to highlight what’s happening here at ULM and then we’ll actually play the show,” Tuberville said.

FFTV plans to dedicate a few spots a week to ULM content.

Students in the mass communication video production class have already began planning their shows and commercials, and after equipment, such as lighting, is completely set up, the students will be able to begin shooting.

“It’s not just to draw viewers to the station; we’re trying to gain exposure for the college and the program, too,” said Tuberville.

Tammy Taylor, a sophomore communications major, has been working with a production company that she linked with through the mass communications video production class. It’s partially because of that connection, that she had a hand in getting FFTV and ULM connected.

Taylor said that when she met Tuberville and told him of her production experience at First West Baptist Church in West Monroe that he showed an interest in meeting with John Rodriguez, an assistant professor of communication who teaches the video production class, to collaborate.

“Now we’re coordinating with him, trying to get a TV show for ULM and promote the communications department,” said Taylor.