Adam Howe
Editor-In-Chief
As area football teams have geared up for the upcoming 2023 season, so has BCE TV in preparations of another year of bringing games directly into living rooms of local fans via the worldwide web.
Now in it’s eleventh year of existence, BCE TV provides live, local coverage of the Warsaw Wildcats every Friday night by use of a laptop, Chromebook or any mobile device.
“In the world of the internet and it’s capabilities, we realized both the need and the opportunity to provide coverage for local schools in our area,” said James White, publisher of the Benton County Enterprise Company.
White went on to say, “BCE TV is a link that may be accessed through www.citylinktv.com or viewers may also find it right on our website at www.bentoncountyenterprise.com. Viewers can watch the games on a smart TV, phone, tablet or laptop."
Over the years, several upgrades have been necessary and other optional modifications have also been added to enhance the broadcasts.
“Like anything else, we have had to upgrade some equipment and software,” White said. “There have been connection concerns at some more rural locations, but for the most part, we have always been able to remedy those issues right away and bring the games to the fans like they expect.”
One of the newer features in 2023 will be the ability to provide a live scoreboard that will be visible on a viewer’s screen during the entire game, complete with graphics.
“One thing that people have always told us is that they wish our broadcast had a scoreboard, so we have really worked on perfecting that this year,” White said proudly. “In the past, fans have been reliant on commentators to announce the scores, but they won’t have to do that as often now.”
An added feature this year will also be the ability for broadcasters to highlight starting lineups and individual players throughout the game.
The crew for all Warsaw broadcasts throughout the 2023 season will be Matt Dove and Drew Burdick. Adam Howe will join them in the booth at all away contests.
Dove will do the play-by-play for the Wildcats and Burdick will do color commentary along with game stats. Howe will provide additional commentary at away games.
“BCE TV is a great way for former players, fans and coaches to check in on their teams, no matter where they are in the world,” Dove said. “It’s a great way to stay connected.”
The production of BCE TV also encourages and helps to connect the school and their respective community as several advertising options are available for businesses and organizations to show their support. Full video commercials, either previously produced or shot and produced by the BCE TV production team is the most popular. However, other opportunities to advertise include logos and/or "live reads”, narrated by the broadcast team.
Every broadcasted game for each team, as well as a coaches show for Warsaw is always archived for later viewing.
“The archive feature of BCE TV is very popular because it allows relatives and friends to view over the weekend or even later if they can’t watch the game live on Friday night,” White said.
A full slate of games will await Wildcats fans in 2023. It’s Friday Night Football, LIVE and archived on BCE TV.
Full schedules for the Wildcats is as follows:
8/25, 7:00 PM vs. Marceline;
9/1, 7:00 PM vs. Versailles;
9/8, 7:00 PM @ Lafayette County;
9/15, 7:00 PM vs. Sherwood;
9/23, 12:00 PM @ Hogan Prep Academy Charter;
9/29, 7:00 PM @ Eldorado Springs;
10/6, 7:00 PM vs. Butler;
10/13, 7:00 PM @ Skyline;
10/20, 7:00 PM vs. Buffalo;
10/27 Districts TBD.
*Ozark Highlands Conference game