By George Fairfeld, Station Manager Piscataway Community TV
https://jagonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/George-speaker.png
In an era dominated by global media giants and digital streaming services, hyperlocal community television channels like Piscataway Community TV, (PCTV) continue to play a crucial role in maintaining a sense of community, fostering local engagement, and providing residents with content that truly matters to them. PCTV is not just another channel on the dial; it is a valuable resource that serves the Piscataway residents and the residents of Central NJ by keeping them informed, entertained, and connected. That value was never more apparent than during the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy in October 2012 or during the World Wide Pandemic in 2020. During these crises, Piscataway Community Television was always a constant source for the residents to find necessary hyperlocal information for their local officials that kept them safe and informed.
By Mark Albala, Vice Chairman of Oakland TVnt Producer
https://jagonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mark.png
There has been a phenomenon throughout the United States with many municipalities reducing communication costs through the advocation of a municipal broadband network. In 2024, Oakland, New Jersey joined the ranks of over 400 communities nationwide which have taken the initiative in managing the tax burden of residents for the necessary communications infrastructure by completing the implementation of the borough’s private fiber broadband network.
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
This month, on Thursday March 21, JAG is scheduled to have a Managers Roundtable on how to work with cable TV committees/commissions. Here in West Milford we don’t have a TV committee per se, all of the folks who are involved in the running of WM77 are considered commissioners and serve on what we call the TV commission. While most of us run the day-to-day operation of the station, the most important commissioners are the two liaisons from the council that represent our interests. And represent us –with enthusiasm and insights about what the mayor and council are thinking.
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
Lauren Concar Sheehy has been a JAG member for many years. In fact, many moons ago, Lauren interned at Cablevision and has fond memories working with Dave Garb and the crew. These days, she is a video production specialist at Brookdale Television with responsibility for the TV facilities at Brookdale Community College, along with Jennifer Yannibelli and Sergey Kornienko. For well over two decades, the team has been producing, directing and editing television shows, providing real world experience to their students.
by Tara Berson and Raven Rentas, Township of Middletown
Home to 68,000 residents, Middletown Township is one of the largest municipalities in New Jersey. Due to the size of our community and diverse age ranges, interests, and neighborhoods, it is important for the Township to offer various ways for residents to access information. One of those communications tools has been our municipal TV channel which has changed over the years, particularly with the addition of our brand new TV studio this year. We had the opportunity to work with experts in the industry who helped guide the project from beginning to end.
It seems these days we need to set our cameras higher and higher just to achieve a clear shot over a sea of raised cell phones – camera operators cannot be afraid of heights! More on that later.
by Gary Campbell, Station Manager/Producer, Newark TV
In today’s competitive television, cable and streaming market, government-access television Newark TV-78 is producing high quality content for the largest city in New Jersey–Newark. Newark continues to shine in public safety, affordable housing, the arts, equitable growth and empowering residents. Mayor Ras Baraka says that in 2023 we are finally experiencing the Newark Renaissance that has been in motion for over fifty years, and TV78 has been there to help the city achieve its goals.
New York City has a step-brother, and it’s called Newark. The locals call it “Nork.” Newark is New Jersey’s largest city by population, known for its vibrant arts scene and one of America’s oldest. It was founded in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans and led by Robert Treat.
Working in Municipal and Community Television can sometimes be a thankless job —long meetings, municipal bureaucracy, aging equipment, and angry residents—they all come with the job. I suppose we all do it for different reasons, but I guess many of our members find it rewarding because they contribute to their stations year after year. For many, it’s like performing a public service–providing information to residents, allowing greater governmental transparency, and documenting the history of the towns we represent.
Posted: September 23, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight on Piscataway Community TV: A Local Treasure Promoting Unity and Diversity
By George Fairfeld, Station Manager Piscataway Community TV
https://jagonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/George-speaker.png
In an era dominated by global media giants and digital streaming services, hyperlocal community television channels like Piscataway Community TV, (PCTV) continue to play a crucial role in maintaining a sense of community, fostering local engagement, and providing residents with content that truly matters to them. PCTV is not just another channel on the dial; it is a valuable resource that serves the Piscataway residents and the residents of Central NJ by keeping them informed, entertained, and connected. That value was never more apparent than during the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy in October 2012 or during the World Wide Pandemic in 2020. During these crises, Piscataway Community Television was always a constant source for the residents to find necessary hyperlocal information for their local officials that kept them safe and informed.
Posted: September 6, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Oakland’s Implements a Private Fiber Broadband network provides great benefit to Oakland TV
By Mark Albala, Vice Chairman of Oakland TVnt Producer
https://jagonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mark.png
There has been a phenomenon throughout the United States with many municipalities reducing communication costs through the advocation of a municipal broadband network. In 2024, Oakland, New Jersey joined the ranks of over 400 communities nationwide which have taken the initiative in managing the tax burden of residents for the necessary communications infrastructure by completing the implementation of the borough’s private fiber broadband network.
Posted: April 18, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: John Kaplow, A Path to Community Television
By John Kaplow, Independent Producer
As one of the independent producers in our group I have been asked to write a short piece about my training, background and current work. Here goes…
Posted: March 19, 2024 by Doug Seidel
How to Work With Your TV Committee
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
This month, on Thursday March 21, JAG is scheduled to have a Managers Roundtable on how to work with cable TV committees/commissions. Here in West Milford we don’t have a TV committee per se, all of the folks who are involved in the running of WM77 are considered commissioners and serve on what we call the TV commission. While most of us run the day-to-day operation of the station, the most important commissioners are the two liaisons from the council that represent our interests. And represent us –with enthusiasm and insights about what the mayor and council are thinking.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Brookdale Television – JAG’s Own Wonder Woman
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
Lauren Concar Sheehy has been a JAG member for many years. In fact, many moons ago, Lauren interned at Cablevision and has fond memories working with Dave Garb and the crew. These days, she is a video production specialist at Brookdale Television with responsibility for the TV facilities at Brookdale Community College, along with Jennifer Yannibelli and Sergey Kornienko. For well over two decades, the team has been producing, directing and editing television shows, providing real world experience to their students.
Posted: January 22, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Middletown Township Builds TV Studio in New Town Hall
by Tara Berson and Raven Rentas, Township of Middletown
Home to 68,000 residents, Middletown Township is one of the largest municipalities in New Jersey. Due to the size of our community and diverse age ranges, interests, and neighborhoods, it is important for the Township to offer various ways for residents to access information. One of those communications tools has been our municipal TV channel which has changed over the years, particularly with the addition of our brand new TV studio this year. We had the opportunity to work with experts in the industry who helped guide the project from beginning to end.
Posted: December 15, 2023 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Edison – Rising Above the Crowd in Edison
By Michael D’Amato, Station Manager, Edison TV
It seems these days we need to set our cameras higher and higher just to achieve a clear shot over a sea of raised cell phones – camera operators cannot be afraid of heights! More on that later.
Posted: December 1, 2023 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Newark – Quality Content at Newark 78
by Gary Campbell, Station Manager/Producer, Newark TV
In today’s competitive television, cable and streaming market, government-access television Newark TV-78 is producing high quality content for the largest city in New Jersey–Newark. Newark continues to shine in public safety, affordable housing, the arts, equitable growth and empowering residents. Mayor Ras Baraka says that in 2023 we are finally experiencing the Newark Renaissance that has been in motion for over fifty years, and TV78 has been there to help the city achieve its goals.
Posted: October 18, 2023 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Newark – Understanding Your Town: Identifying the Opportunities
By Ed Cologna, Newark TV, Station Manager
New York City has a step-brother, and it’s called Newark. The locals call it “Nork.” Newark is New Jersey’s largest city by population, known for its vibrant arts scene and one of America’s oldest. It was founded in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans and led by Robert Treat.
Posted: September 21, 2023 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: West Milford – Why We Do It
By Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations, Chair
Working in Municipal and Community Television can sometimes be a thankless job —long meetings, municipal bureaucracy, aging equipment, and angry residents—they all come with the job. I suppose we all do it for different reasons, but I guess many of our members find it rewarding because they contribute to their stations year after year. For many, it’s like performing a public service–providing information to residents, allowing greater governmental transparency, and documenting the history of the towns we represent.