November 3, 2025
Smyrna High School
Smyrna High School’s nationally recognized TV & Film Production program is breaking new ground once again with the premiere of its first-ever original student television series, The Fifth Block.
A six-episode sketch-comedy series written, produced, and performed entirely by students, The Fifth Block showcases the humor, creativity, and raw talent emerging from Smyrna High’s award-winning production program. The show’s tagline — “This is what happens after the last bell.” — perfectly captures the spirit of the series: imaginative, student-driven storytelling that brings classroom creativity to a professional broadcast platform.
The show debuts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 on Middle Tennessee State University's TrueBlueTV, airing weekly on Saturdays. Viewers can also catch The Fifth Block on TrueBlueTV’s syndicated Public Education Government stations nationwide. TrueBlueTV airs on Comcast Xfinity channels 9 and 1096 in Rutherford County, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire (TrueBlue TV App).
The new series marks another milestone for the program, which has already earned national attention for producing two full-length feature films — The Strings Attached and REAL — both now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The success of those projects has positioned Smyrna High as a pioneer in hands-on film education.
The program’s commitment to giving students real-world experience in television and film continues to expand. With The Fifth Block, students are taking on every production role — from writing and acting to directing, camera operation, lighting, sound, and post-production — all while working under real broadcast deadlines.
For more information about The Fifth Block or to learn how to support this project, visit shsproductions.net or follow the show on social media @thefifthblock