DATE: Friday, September 5, 1997             TAG: 9709050632

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   54 lines

CHESAPEAKE UNVEILS CHANNEL 23'S NEW SHOWS

It was a star-studded Hollywood premiere done Chesapeake style.

WCTV, Channel 23, the city's cable information station, unveiled its new lineup of shows Thursday with the glitz of a major television network.

``Hollywood holds special previews to unveil their new television shows for the fall season, so why can't we?'' said Mark S. Cox, the city's director of public communications.

A violinist strolled around the lobby of City Hall while guests in tuxedos and other formal finery helped themselves to food from a banquet table before watching a slickly produced half-hour sneak-preview video.

``This evening, Chesapeake is Hollywood,'' said Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward.

The new programs will be added to the municipal cable station's programming Sunday.

They include ``Flip Side,'' a breezy monthly look at Chesapeake's cultural and fine arts scene, new leisure programs and services offered by the city's Parks and Recreation Department and news about Chesapeake's senior citizens and their activities; ``The Industry Standard,'' a monthly review of Chesapeake businesses and economic news and trends that will have an impact on the city; and ``Chesapeake This Week,'' a CNN-style program that will highlight the city's news for the week.

In introducing the presentation, Cox said, ``Welcome to the future of democracy, where government and people relate and communicate.''

Cox said today's television viewers are accustomed to slick production values and have no time for stodgy, bland municipal programming.

WCTV will try to lure viewers to its public-service format using programming more like what viewers see on commercial stations, he said.

``We're not here to entertain; we are a window on the city government, to inform the citizenry about what its government is doing,'' Cox said.

``But we have to offer fun and entertaining programs in order to build viewership. Government television doesn't have to be boring.''

Managers of other Hampton Roads municipal television stations were impressed with the innovative way that WCTV announced its new program.

``It's very creative,'' said Carol Pratt, manager of Portsmouth's municipal television programming. ``It's a smart marketing idea.''

``It's a good idea,'' said Gwen Cowart, manager for VBTV, Virginia Beach's municipal television station.

``It's a clever idea if it gets folks to come out to the premiere and if it creates an interest for Chesapeake's municipal TV.'' ILLUSTRATION: TAMARA VONINSKI/The Virginian-Pilot

Brad Shedd entertains guests at Chesapeake City Hall Thursday during

a premiere for the new local cable TV shows on WCTV, Channel 23, the

city's municipal cable station. The hosts for a new show, ``Flip

Side,'' are Terry Jernigan, right background, and Jesse Dizon, left

background.

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