[ColdWater]

Too bad the reporter doesn’t understand how batteries are charged. Twelve-volt lead-acid batteries are charged by chargers putting out 13-14 volts or so. You can’t charge a battery with 12 volts. Therefore, right after the inmates start pedaling, they are putting out more than 12 volts. A battery charged to 12 volts is only about 20% or less charged. When the batteries are fully charged, their output is about 12.6 volts to as high as 13 or more. But I don’t expect reporters to understand anything having to do with science.

You are assuming that there are batteries. I am not sure this is the case.

[Right Wing Assault]

I think you are right. It is probably just direct from generator to TV. Simpler.