Vanderbilt Television News Archive Marshall Breeding Director for Innovative Technology and Research Vanderbilt University

History of The Archive Conceived by Nashville insurance executive Paul Simpson Established by Vanderbilt University in August 1968, initially as a 3-month experiment that grew into a permanent institution. Moved into University Public Affairs division in 1995 Came back under the library in 2002.

A Unique Archive The largest, most comprehensive collection of national broadcast news available to the general public. Vanderbilt has systematically archived completed news programs since Aug 5, 1968 A large amount of unique material Material available at costs affordable by scholars and researchers Only resource where researchers can search across all the major national news networks.

An extensive collection Over 780,000 abstracts in our news database ~30,000 hours of regular nightly news programs ~10,000 hours of special news broadcasts

The Collections of the Archive ABC, CBS, and NBC evening news taped continuously since 1968 (22,000 hours) CNN taped since 1985, indexed since 1996 Fox News recorded since January 15, 2004 News specials: ABC Nightline (since 1989), etc Special Collections: Watergate hearings, Persian Gulf War, Election 2000, Events of September 11, 2001, War in Iraq, Election 2004

Access to the Collection

TV News Database Comprehensive database of the Archive’s holdings 950,000+ records For evening newscasts, one record per segment For specials, one record per broadcast Search by topic Calendar interface: browse by date E-commerce interface for tape loan requests

DVD loan service Lend material from the collection on VHS format Compilation of requested news segments Duplications of complete programs Service fees based on affiliation: Vanderbilt & Sponsors, Educational, Others Material provided for viewing only. Tapes must be returned. All licensing of materials borrowed must be negotiated with the original network

Subscription Model Launched in January 2004 Offered to other educational institutions Pricing scaled by size of institution Access to TV News Web database and streaming video of the NBC and CNN portion of the collection

Onsite viewing Researchers can visit the Archive’s facility in Nashville to view material in the collection. Only the most serious researchers tend to come for onsite use. Most use is remote.

Digitization Strategy

A Digital Archive The future of the Archive depends on migrating from videotape to digital technologies Videotape format obsolete and expensive More preservation and access options available through digital technologies Through two grants from the NEH, we are in the process of digitizing the entire collection. – Evening news: 100% complete – Specials: 70% complete

Legal Framework Off-air recording and lending of news programs protected by an exemption provided in Section 108 of the Copyright Act of 1976 Streaming of video content over the Internet is not protected.

Agreements with Networks The Archive has approached each of the networks to seek an agreement to allow streaming video access to subscribers from educational and research institutions. CNN and NBC have made agreements with Vanderbilt to allow streaming of its content to educational users. Other networks not able to offer similar agreements at this time.

Fee-based Subscription Service Access to TV News database plus streaming access to all CNN (1995 – present) and NBC (1968 – present) Content. Online video must be three days old before being released on our service Service launched in January 2004 About 125 subscribers so far Need more to meet budget goals

Financial Issues The Archive, as a non-profit unit of the Vanderbilt University Libraries must produce income to cover its cost of operations Income: – DVD loan service fees – Institutional subscriptions – LC Stipend

TV News Archive A Versatile Collection of News, Popular Culture and The Arts

Cultural Heritage It’s important to preserve news broadcasts as part of the public record of the major events that transpire in society Our collection spans four decades of history

Coverage of the Arts Major Artists, Musicians, Architects often covered on the national news Major exhibitions, deaths, and other events often became the focus of a news segment Provide a biographical look at major figures in the arts Video as the media delivers a rich experience of the artist

Contact Vanderbilt Television News Archive Marshall Breeding