From left, Pentagon Channel anchor Navy Petty Officer 1st
Class Jennifer Gray; Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for
internal communication; Gene Brink, the channel's general manager; and anchor
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Lehman discuss an upcoming story. The channel, which
has up to now been a Pentagon-only communication medium, kicks off its
worldwide availability May 14 at the Armed Forces Day Joint Service Open House
at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The channel will be available at U.S. military
stations throughout the United States and overseas. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug
Sample, USA
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.
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The Pentagon Channel, which previously existed as an information channel within
the Pentagon, will be now be distributed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to
all military installations in the United States via domestic satellite, and
overseas through the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Internal Communications Allison
Barber described Armed Forces Day as "the perfect day" for launching the
Pentagon Channel.
"Armed Forces Day is about recognizing the commitment and sacrifice of our men
and women in the military, and we wanted to recognize them by giving them a new
and improved tool that will provide them with the news and information they
need," Barber said.
Barber explained recent research showed that military members – both in the
United States and overseas – felt that they had adequate access to general news
and information, but not enough access to military news.
"The important thing about the Pentagon Channel is it's information
specifically geared to the military, and that's what our audience is looking
for, because it's relevant, it's credible and it's important to their success."
Barber also pointed out that the operational tempo across the services further
demonstrated a need for DoD leaders to be able to talk directly to the military
audience, and that expansion was especially important for Guard and Reserve
members and their families, who are the most isolated from DoD news and
information.
In addition to 24-hour service, the Pentagon Channel is expanding its
programming to include several new shows. "Around the Services" features news
from each branch of the military. "Studio Five" showcases conversations with
DoD leaders on a variety of topics, and "Focus on the Force" highlights
military missions such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"What we know to be true with our audience is that they needed more in-depth
coverage of military news, so we structured programs to meet that need," Barber
said. "'Studio Five' allows us to have an extended conversation with our
military audience to explain such issues as pay and benefits or health issues.
It will be an effective tool, because it tells the whole story from start to
finish."
Pentagon Channel programming also will include top-of-the-hour news updates,
broadcasts of the flagship television news magazine programs from each of the
services, and DoD news briefings from the Pentagon and around the world.
Down the road, Barber said efforts will focus on expanding content.
"We feel like distribution of the Pentagon Channel is where it should be," she
said. "But we will be working on providing more and different types of
reporting. We'll be setting up news bureaus around the world, and we'll be
embedding teams with the troops to get a first-hand look at their hard work.
We're going to be creative and proactive about finding new ways to communicate
to our military audience."
 | Brian Hughes, senior master control board operator, dispatches
the Pentagon Channel around the world. The Armed Forces Day Joint Service Open
House at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., is the backdrop for the channel's May 14
debut as a worldwide communication medium for U.S. military members and their
families. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
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 | High resolution photo
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 | Screen resolution photo
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