Richard M. PETTIGREW
(Archaeological Legacy Institute, Eugene, Oregon, USA)
Keywords: Streaming media, digital media, video, audio
Abstract:
The Archaeology Channel (TAC; archaeologychannel.org), launched in 2000 as a streaming-media Web site, continues its development as a tool for public outreach. Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI), a US-based nonprofit organization, launched TAC to pursue ALI’s public mission to convey the human story to people everywhere through the use of digital media. Created in the earliest phase of streaming media on the Web, before the world realized that all media would become digital, TAC has weathered difficult times, adapted to changing technology and continues to grow in regard to its audience, its features and its content. With annual traffic around a million pageviews and content including hundreds of video and audio programs, this Web site stands as a tool available to many partners, both existing and prospective, for delivering important messages and perspectives about cultural heritage to a global audience. TAC also has led to additional initatives, such as The Archaeology Channel International Film and Video Festival, The Archaeology Channel Conference on Cultural Heritage Media, cable TV programs, film productions, and media distribution opportunities. We intend and anticipate continuing growth of this webcasting outlet well into the future as an influential voice in the world of cultural heritage media. What remains constant is our mission to promote the public good.