Strategies to Increase Community Engagement through Local TV in 2025

by John C. Morley, Independent Producer

Community engagement is critical for local TV stations to remain relevant and valuable to their audiences in 2025. As people increasingly turn to diverse digital sources, local TV must deepen connections by creatively serving and involving their communities. The following are some strategic approaches designed to boost community engagement effectively and sustainably.

Smarter Workflows for Community Stations: Switchboard Live’s Year of Updates

By Rudy Ellis, President, Switchboard

Dear JAG members,

As we reflect on this past year, we want to speak directly to you: the PEG stations, city teams, and community media communicators who make local transparency possible every single day. At Switchboard Live, our mission has always been to simplify live streaming so you can focus on what matters most: keeping your communities informed, connected, and confident. This year, we’ve introduced several important updates to help you do just that:

Legislative Update November 2025: News from Trenton & Washington, DC – Changes in the FCC

A Special Webinar held on September 29th regarding the Altice PEG Channel Switches in New Jersey, and the Surrounding Tri-State Municipalities

Around the 21st of August, all PEG Stations who are part of the Altice/Optimum cable system had their channels switched from their normal positions to the 1300-1317 spectrum. It effected the entire tri-state area and no-one received messages from Altice that this change was coming or had time to re-brand our stations to inform our residents. 

After a lot of yelling from the municipalities and other parties, all channels were switched back to their original positions by the 3rd week of September.

Below are a some points that were made from our special webinar to prepare all of us for the future, in the event this channel change is attempted again:

President’s Message: November 2025 – Preparing for the new year

by Bob Duthaler

JAG will be voting for three board positions at the general meeting Wednesday, December 3. Stephanie Gibbons and Rick Gearhart will not seek reelection. Don Smith will once again be running.

Spotlight: Ocean County College Supports Television Production

by Mary Granahan, Television Production Director, Ocean County College

I’m Mary Granahan, Director of Television Production, and I’m excited to introduce you to Ocean TV-20, a full-service production studio and 24-hour station operated by Ocean County College. Our full HD studio also functions as an immersive training ground for the next generation of media professionals. So, our operations are a bit different than more traditional PEG operations.

Live and Unfiltered: What TV Can—and Can’t—Show Now

by John C. Morley, Independent Producer

The world of television is changing faster than ever. Nowhere is that more obvious than with live streaming. With smartphones in every hand and social platforms offering instant broadcasting, the line between traditional TV and online content is blurring. But, as more broadcasters go live, a big question remains: what’s allowed on TV these days—and what’s off-limits?