WMTV Channel 27 has launched a new internet Television network in Marion, Indiana. For some who may be unfamiliar with the small midwestern town, they’re well known for High School Basketball. The city of Marion boasts three back to back State titles from ’85-’87 that were dubbed Purple Reign during the era of Jay Edwards and Lyndon Jones. Marion is also home to Father and son hoop legends James Blackmon Sr. and Blackmon Jr. as well as17 year NBA veteran Zach Randolph who recently signed a 2 year, $24 million contract with the Sacramento Kings.
“There needs to be some sort of station here,” Richarh Tyson says when asked about his motives for creating the social media based network. “We reach the people right where they’re at.” Instead of pursuing more traditional methods of broadcasting, Tyson opts to market the content he produces directly to social media.
In order to deliver the news, he teamed up with Javon Washington and Katrina Blackmon who actually graduated from IWU with a degree in journalism. Yes, she is the niece of James Blackmon Sr. and she was a standout on the court herself. Until Katrina was approached with the opportunity to join News Team 27, she was considering moving out of state to pursue a career in journalism. She is hopeful that the station becomes a huge success so she can stay in her hometown.
For the network’s sports talk show Bar Talk, Tyson works with former Indiana Sports Coverage writer Dylan Beeks and childhood friend Andre Waites. The network is excited to record their first episode which will feature a brand new set and a faster pace than our previous show, Sports Talk in the Cave. Waites has a natural love for sports and has been a part of athletics from little league through his adulthood. It’s set to be filmed at Yeakle’s Sports Bar in Marion, Indiana. With coverage of professional sports and a focus on Grant County and area Schools, this show is going to be one to watch.