ABOUT KBEV
The KBEV Media Center was founded in 1969 with generous support from the Beverly Hills Unified School District and the Local Community. It’s strategic location in Beverly Hills enables students to foster dynamic synergies and multidisciplinary approaches to the study of Communication through unparalleled access to the Entertainment, Media and Technology Industries.
In 1970, two of Beverly Hills High School's related departments – Television Broadcasting and Broadcast Journalism – began producing a live-to-cable news show, entitled, "The Norman News Service". Now, noted as the longest running high school weekly news show on the planet.
In recognition of the critically important role Broadcast Journalism plays in a democratic society and KBEV's role as a leading institution for educating and training is leading students to become future Broadcasters and Media Artists.
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Today, with more than 9 courses offered in Media Studies, and High School Concurrent Enrollment program with Santa Monica College allows eligible students to enroll in Media college courses while attending Beverly Hills high school and simultaneously earn college credit. Participating students not only get a “taste” of college but also get a head start on their college career. KBEV has become a center for discussion among university admissions officers and professionals in Journalism, Communication, Public relations, public policy, media and education. KBEV is ranked #1 in State and #3 in the nation competing at Skills USA.
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Multidisciplinary and international in scope, focused and practical in application, KBEV Students and Faculty, are defining these fields for the 21st Century and beyond.
Media Director: Prof. Romeo Carey
Technical Supervisor: Ricky Lee & Ryan Damavandi
Sr. Chief Engineer: Dusty Stiles
Production Assistant: Daniel Audell
KBEV HISTORY
KBEV, originally called "Information Retrieval" , was started in 1968 in a bungalow on the front lawn by Dave "Dusty" Stiles. An early form of programming-on-demand, audio and video content was transmitted over cables wired to the high school library and to select classrooms at the high school. Audio programs played on reel to reel tape were sent to the elementary schools over telephone lines, rented from the phone company, to study carrels in the libraries at each of the schools. The Information Retrieval was then called "BHUSD Media Service" when KBEV began active cable operations in 1974 with Theta Cable, whose successors were Group W Cable, Century Cable, Adelphia Cable, Time Warner Cable and currently Spectrum Cable. KBEV's channel designation began as Channel L. It later became Channel N, then Channel E, then Channel 26, and now it is Channel 6 KBEV. The Media Center has provided continuous cable programming to the Beverly Hills community for 52+ years.
