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.
Ada Erik and Marilyn Lichtenberg have been staunch supports of the station since its inception more than 10 years ago. Ada, whom many of you know, was instrumental in getting the station launched and she is the first to tell anyone who will listen that she and her fledgling committee couldn’t have done it without JAG. Likewise, the members of the committee couldn’t have done it without the full support of our council liaisons.
During the early days, we got guidance from JAG about everything from policies and procedures to technical advice on equipment purchases, but once the station was up and running, it was our council liaisons who provided those of us on the operational side with the support to keep us going.
As you might expect, not everyone on the council was a fan of the station. Some members didn’t want the meetings filmed at all and others were concerned that there was yet another item to finance with a budget that was already tight. However. the station persevered despite the naysayers and doubters. In the early days, our program schedule was filled with council meetings, a community bulletin board and not much more. Then, gradually we added programing, in part thanks to the JAG server, but inevitably, at the urging of our council liaisons, there was the desire to produce more local programming and of course that meant the need for new equipment. I suppose that’s the normal progression for stations like ours, but our detractors on the council had their reservations. When faced with the need for more funding, Ada very wisely told the commissioners to give the township more local programming to make the channel more valuable to residents. This turned out to be sound advice.
First, we kept it simple, adding single camera shoots of school board meetings, lecturers at the library and town events like coverage of our Autumn Lights Festival and Memorial Day Ceremonies. Finally, we added more ambitious coverage of some of our high school sports, our summer concerts and a series of musical performances from a restaurant in town known as the Vreeland Store. We even won our first JAG Award for a local show we produced on a Civil War reenactment at the historic Long Pond Iron Works in town. Just as Ada predicted, we gave the council and the residents programming that they didn’t know they wanted, but once they had it, WM77 was able to raise its profile among its most important constituents—the township council.
The end result was, over time, funding for two new cameras, a wireless microphone package, a LiveU solo, a Black Magic switcher with monitor and an audio board. While we still don’t have a studio, there is even hope that the township will find us a permanent home in the very near future.
So, based on our experience up here in the highlands, the cable commission and its council liaisons, Ada and Marilyn, have been a driving force for our growth. I would urge all members who have to work with a TV Commission to treat them as partners. Win their respect with your dedication and the creative programs you produce. Give the council and your residence something they didn’t know they needed. Allow them to see themselves, their children and their elected officials at work and at play. Give them something they can’t see anywhere else on the dial—themselves.
by Geoffrey Belinfante, Conference Committee, Vice Chair
Just like a fine red wine that gets better as it breaths, JAG’s conference gets better and better as the plans mature. Okay, okay, perhaps the analogy is a bit over the top, but indulge me. Your conference committee has been working diligently to assemble a series of workshops that will make this year’s conference special—no matter what your interests. The wine has been breathing since the last article. Sessions are in three categories. Here’s a preview:
Legislative
Understanding Franchising and What to Know When Renegotiating
If you are interested in legislation and the comings and goings in Washington, DC, there are several panels that are right for you. We have assembled a knowledgeable panel to keep you up to date on the latest trends in cable franchise agreements from around the country. If you’re facing an upcoming negotiation or if you just want to keep up on the latest trends, you won’t want to miss this panel. It discusses the kinds of things you can negotiate in your next franchise agreement.
ADA Compliance: Updates on the DOJ Rulings and Closed Captioning for Municipal Websites and PEG Channels
Closed captioning is a hot topic. You might have to close caption all your municipal programs in the very near future. So, you won’t want to miss our panel on when and how to comply with the American’s with Disabilities Act. There’s a new initiative, not from the FCC, but from the Justice Department, that may compel you to act faster than you think.
Why PEG Stations Should Care About Broadband Deployment
Finally, our luncheon program focuses on broadband and what it means for the future of the cable industry in general and the future of PEG distribution. This discussion focuses on the state of broadband deployment in New Jersey, and why you, as a JAG member/station operator should care about it. Learn about funds that might available from the grants that your municipality receives to cover the cost of over-the-top delivery of your station.
Programming and Management
Beyond Cable: New Ways to Communicate w/your Citizens
If your interests go more towards programming and station management, we have workshops for you. The committee has assembled a group of station people to discuss new ways to reach your citizens. If you have overall responsibility of communicating, motivating and inspiring your residents, you won’t want to miss this one.
How to Conduct a Great Interview: Interviewing Skills and Tips
The key to much of the programming that we produce is getting great information from interview subjects. Once again, we will present a panel of professionals offering tips on interviewing techniques to help you hone your interviewing skills.
Understanding the Elements of Storytelling
Related to interviewing technique is the art of storytelling. How do you identify, research, shoot and edit a compelling story that is informative and entertaining. There are two Understanding the Elements of Storytelling sessions presented by seasoned professionals that can help you improve programming quality on your station.
New Programming Ideas for PEG stations
Finally, many of our members have the responsibility of generating new and interesting programs that will keep viewers entertained and informed about their communities, but finding new ideas can be challenging. A panel of some of JAG’s more prolific program producers share their insight into where to find new stories in your community that you may have overlooked.
Technology
Closed Captioning – Easy Solutions and Cost Considerations to Make it Happen
If you have interest in new developments in technology then there are panels for you too. Perhaps you have heard about or attended a closed caption panel and now you have to figure out what you’re going to do when your town is required to comply. Here is a panel which will explain the options available to you, the pricing, and the technology that you can choose.
Less Gear and Better Production
Are you tired of shlepping heavy lighting equipment around for location shoots, then don’t miss our panel on the latest trends in location lighting. Your back, legs, knees and shoulders will thank you.
Real-Time Video Updates and Information During Critical Situations
Finally, there is an important panel that discusses technology from LiveU that allows all PEG channels to easily interface with your Office of Emergency Management (OEM) when there is important information that must get to your residents immediately. In fact, you should consider inviting the people who run the OEM in your town. This free session is for all OEM, police and fire officials.
So, if you take all this interesting programming, the opportunity to speak with some of our valuable organizational partners, the chance to attend user groups, then add plenty of time to network with your colleague, you’ve got another exciting conference to look forward to.
Add the JAG Banquet and JAG Awards as your evening activity and there is a full day of information, networking, and entertainment. Mark your calendars now: May 16 at the Crowne Plaza in Edition.
For more information, check out the conference tab on our website, jagonline.org/conference or log on to www.jagconference.com. Be sure to check back often to follow additions to the schedule. New events and sessions are being added all the time.
Last October the White House urged congressional appropriators to dedicate $6 billion to extend the ACP, or Affordable Connectivity Program through the end of 2024. The ACP allows about 23 million low-income households to receive discounts on their internet bills of up to $30 a month. Lawmakers and Federal Communications Commission officials have held numerous rallies calling for this program to receive a new round of appropriations from Congress. If it does not receive this money, the existing funds would expire in the end of April as reported by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, this past January. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (N.J.), the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said recently at an event to gather support for this program, “it’s going to be very detrimental to all these people that need internet access if the funding expires”.
A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers unveiled a bill last month to re-up its funding (ACP Extension Act: HR-6929/S-3565). Now, key negotiators are pushing to tuck the measure into upcoming spending bills on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are racing to avert a possible shutdown.
From the New Jersey League of Municipalities:
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee is scheduled to consider A-4045, and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee are considering an identical bill S2930, that change various rules to OPRA. These reforms to the Open Public Records Act address many of the issues municipalities have been experiencing since the inception of OPRA, including:
Implements recommendations of the Privacy Study Commission.
Provides residents with protections from losing their privacy in the course of conducting public business.
Addresses burdensome commercial requests that continue to increase each year. Since the enactment of the OPRA, commercial enterprises have abused the legislation as a mechanism for commercial purposes.
Addresses the mandatory prevailing attorney fee provisions that have cost taxpayers.
Takes the first step to address how police records should and are considered under OPRA. As the use of technology has increased in police work, requests for police records have increased tremendously.
Permits public agencies to adopt an official OPRA request form that must be used for all OPRA requests.
The League is strongly in favor of these proposed changes and encourage you to reach out to your legislator to express municipal support for these bills. We will update this story as it progresses.
Please do not forget that the Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) is still circulating in Congress.
The FCC’s 2019 Franchise Fee Order redefined the federal Cable Act’s 5% franchise fee cap to include the value of most non-monetary franchise obligations as franchise fees. This change allows cable companies to reduce what they pay for the use of public property and rights-of-way. The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) would correct this error by simply clarifying that franchise fees are only monetary.
The Cable Act of 1984, protects the rights of a local community to charge cable companies a five (5%) percent franchise fee and to meet community needs and interests, such as providing public, educational and governmental channel capacity.
Contrary to industry practices that date back to the 1980s, the FCC’s actions could result in reducing cable operators’ monetary compensation to towns and municipalities that wish to communicate with residents through community television. The FCC Order could force communities to choose between franchise fees or communicating with residents through community media that provide Americans with local civic, public safety and public health content.
The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) clarifies that only monetary payments, not non-monetary franchise obligations, qualify as Cable Act franchise fees and are subject to a fee cap. Without it, a cable operator could create fees to drain away municipal revenues and pressure municipalities to give up or de-staff channels.
JAG constantly advocates, analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as: Local Government Communications and Internet Policy.
by Andrew Collinsworth, Account Executive, Granicus
Have you heard of Granicus? They’ve been serving government since being founded in 1999. Granicus helps organizations run more efficiently, effectively, and transparently. Their video streaming solutions make meetings accessible to the public, wherever they are and on their own devices.
Granicus’ mobile-friendly, multi-channel video streaming solution lets viewers search for and skip ahead to any agenda item they want to view, without sitting through or fast forward through an entire meeting. Voice search, multi-lingual captioning and automated minutes are just some of the time savers that benefit both staff and the public. With industry-leading video quality, security and reliability not previously seen in the government meeting market, Granicus created a true industry revolution and continues to lead the way.
In 2022, Granicus acquired Swagit to continue the transformation of streaming video for government. Swagit’s EASE solution helps relieve the workload of overburdened government meeting managers and IT staff by allowing agencies to offload hosting to Swagit servers. EASE also includes agenda indexing—shifting that duty from government staff to the Swagit team, which saves staff resources and improves turnaround time from meeting to public posting of the polished video.
Swagit’s AVIOR solution scales the EASE concept to an international level, outsourcing meeting streaming and recording for reliable, hands-off production.
In addition to video hosting and indexing, the Swagit team uses multiple cameras and manages all production work including panning, camera switching, zooming and on-screen graphics. It’s all done remotely from their offices in Dallas, Texas. With AVIOR, government agencies recover valuable staff time, improve viewer experience, and can redirect taxpayer dollars toward core priorities, avoiding repetitive meeting work or troubleshooting technology during critical public meetings.
The AVIOR solution has been successfully deployed in cities both large and small, including Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. In the decade since its installation, Swagit AVIOR has been serving the remote Arctic city reliably and securely. Hundreds of jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada rely entirely on the Swagit production team for video management, production and polishing. They don’t worry about staff coverage, technical problems, or low-quality video.
The addition of Swagit maintains Granicus’ dedication to using video solutions to enhance government participation. Swagit’s functions complement Granicus’ industry-best closed captioning, transcription, spoken word search tools, as well as simultaneous multi-channel streaming capabilities, including social media platforms and cable access channels. These features, along with mobile device responsiveness, allow government agencies to reach viewers anywhere.
In the years since its founding, Granicus grew beyond video streaming and recording. The Granicus video solutions are part of a larger suite of products and services bringing digital solutions to governments managing meeting agenda creation, public record requests, board and committee staffing and servicing, website design and hosting, and public engagement. JAG’s partnership with Granicus evidences our ongoing commitment to transparency and quality in the services we provide. Tune in on Wednesday, March 27, and get to know our new video partner and the solutions we’re exploring.
Each year the Jersey Access Group holds its annual conference for not only its members, their staff and volunteer crews, but others outside the organization who are interested in local access television. Just because it’s an annual event, does not mean it is the same old event. In fact, quite to the contrary. The conference committee has worked hard on this year’s event to include new sessions, bring in outside professionals from our industry and work with vendors on presenting the latest equipment, technology and more.
This year we host a session called How to Conduct a Great Interview – Interviewing Skills and Tips. Have you ever wondered how to prepare properly for an interview? How do you get the most out of your guest and avoid single word answers? Learn how to effectively listen, react, and ask the right questions—and the right time to ask them during an interview. Professional reporters from local channels in the New York/New Jersey market will guide you through the steps to help make your next interview your best interview.
Attention All Station Managers
We have designed a series of sessions just for you. These are designed to incorporate what you learned into your operations and station management. We will discuss various ways a municipality can communicate with their citizens beyond traditional cable television channels. The panel will explore and discuss new video trends in social media, live streaming and how access channels are entering the Over-the-Top (OTT) world with their own channels on Apple TV, Roku and more in our session titled Beyond Cable: New Ways to Communicate with your Citizens. This is just one of many you will find.
Tired of the same programs year after year? Is there content beyond town meetings and summer concerts? You’ll want to attend New Programming Ideas for PEG Stations. This panel gives you ideas for new programming opportunities to enhance your program schedule. Join fellow station managers who have found new stories to tell in their towns. Discover new sources of programming that you might have overlooked right in your own backyard.
I consider myself to be a technology geek. And I’m proud of it. I’m always interested in the latest gear and technology to make this job not only easier, but more exciting—technology that wakes the creative mind in each of us. That’s why I love the vendor floor with all the latest cameras, switcher technology, lighting, and live broadcasting options.
But we don’t stop there. We have a session geared to those who love new technology and want to incorporate it into the everyday operations: Less Gear and Better Production. This session discusses how to streamline your workflow in the field by minimizing gear and optimizing production . This can significantly enhance efficiency and make work more manageable. We will discuss ways to prioritize essential equipment (cameras, audio and lighting kit), multifunctional tools (e.g., a smartphone with a high-quality camera can eliminate the need for a second camera in many situations). Invest time learning the ins and outs of your equipment to enable you to work more efficiently and troubleshoot issues quickly. By implementing these strategies, you can create a nimbler production workflow in the field. Discover the latest gear that makes it all possible.
JAG prides itself in keeping all our members up to date on legislative issues, news from Washington, DC and what is going on around the country. Don’t miss Understanding Franchising and What to Know When Renegotiating. This session covers the main differences between a state franchise and the ones negotiated at the municipal level. Which one is a better choice and can a municipality have a say on which one they prefer? Nationally, what is being added or taken away in negotiated franchise agreements? Franchise monies are declining due to streaming, what can we do during negotiations to curb this? Bills being introduced around the country that are trying to force streamers to pay a per subscriber fee to municipalities. How is this going and if successful, what does that mean for the local access station?
This is just the tip of the iceberg for the 2024 JAG Conference. You will also have time to mingle with vendors, network with each other and industry professionals. We’ll have giveaways during the Vendor Cocktail Hour followed by our banquet and the 2024 JAG Awards. I urge you, your staff and volunteer crew to register now! Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 16 at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, NJ.
Go to www.jagconfernce.com to register and get more information. If you have any issues that might prohibit you from attending this year’s JAG Conference, please reach out to me directly via email at bduthaler@jagonline.org to see if I can help you.
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
Note: This is usually a spotlight written by one of our JAG Members, however this article was written by Geoff Belinfante with input from Lauren Concar Sheehy. Lauren is busy doing what Wonder Women do, but her story should be of interest to JAG members.
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.
Brookdale Television (BTV) is a non-profit Educational Access Channel that can be viewed on Comcast Channel 21 and Verizon FIOS Channel 46 throughout central New Jersey, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BTV’s mission is to present quality educational programs that inform and inspire viewers. While working at BTV is her full-time job, her passion for the last 22 years has been the Garden State Film Festival. In fact, she is so busy preparing for this year’s festival that she has asked me to draft this article about her and the festival.
In addition, Lauren is a filmmaker with a long, passionate history in the Television & Film industry. She has written, executive produced, directed & edited award-winning content for Bloomberg TV, SAG-AFTRA & other high-profile clients. Her latest feature, which she co-produced, Shelter in Solitude is out now on all platforms.
Sandwiched between her responsibilities at Brookdale, and her independent film making, this Wonder Woman and her team has worked tirelessly year after year to bring a first-class film festival to the Garden State, and this year will be no exception.
From March 21-24, GSFF transforms Asbury Park and Cranford into a cinematic paradise, showcasing over 200 films from 14 countries in eight venues The festival is a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the art of storytelling, with a variety of films, both theatrical and documentary, engaging panels, live podcasts, and not-to-be-missed parties. JAG members who have an interest in the production of films of all kinds will welcome a chance to meet and network with celebrities and professionals from all over the world right in our backyard.
As usual, Lauren and her associates have assembled a diverse, informative and entertaining selection of feature films and documentaries. This year’s lineup boasts notable figures such as Matthew Modine, Carla Raij, Janice Kovach, Armand Assante, Lisa Eldelstein, Bridget Moynahan, Ed Begley Jr., and sports legends Louis Neglia and Joe Pyfer. The GSFF is a testament to New Jersey’s storied film history and as a hub for producers, directors, actors, investors, and industry talents.
One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be the screening of Don Q, a comedy crime thriller that features international star Armand Assante who will be on hand to discuss the film and answer questions from the audience. In addition, this year’s festival will feature screenings of a thriller called The Nanny; a comedy thriller called Don’t Tell Larry; and a documentary called Journey to the UFC about Joe Pyfer’s overcoming insurmountable odds to become a UFC fighter.
As with any good film festival there will be social events and lots of opportunities to network. This year’s festival kicks off with a Meet the Filmmakers cocktail party on Thursday March 21st at the Asbury Hotel, and no good film festival would be complete without a red-carpet celebration… and the Garden State Film Festival is no exception. On Friday March 22nd there will be a red-carpet premiere of the drama “The Martini Shot” starring Mathew Modine, John Cleese, Fiona Flascott, Derek Jacoby, and Stuart Townsend.
The festival culminates in an awards dinner on Sunday March 24th, with awards to the winning films, screenplay, and the best movie music. The festival also honors the Exceptional Woman of the Year which this year goes to New Jersey’s own Carla Raij, who worked with Steven Spielberg on the Fablemans and the Educator of the Year which goes to David Dilianni from Film Academy360. Who knows, perhaps there are some future JAG members in the Student Television network that he represents.
Naturally, the festival includes feature films and documentaries shot right here in New Jersey, using our mountains, lakes, beaches, cities, farms and historic sites as background. It’s always great to see locations you know on the big screen, or perhaps you or someone you know worked on these Jersey based productions. There may even be some films that would be appropriate for exposure on our municipal channels.
Tickets for the Garden State Film Festival are available on-line at gsff.org and are reasonably priced with a variety of options, so I would urge all JAG members to consider supporting Lauren’s efforts to bring a bit of glamour to the Garden State. Congratulations to JAG member, Lauren Concar, award winning filmmaker, community activist and a tireless champion for the arts in New Jersey and to all of her associates who help assemble this incredible weekend of entertainment. It’s always great to see a fellow JAG member work outside their traditional venue to create something of value to the entire State.
THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING! THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING!!
Did your town have a concert? Did your station record it? How about a council meeting? Did your town have a community event? These are all great events you can enter in the JAG Awards.
Not sure what the categories are? Here they are…surely you have something to enter.
101. Documentary
201. Instructional/Training
301. News Magazine
401. Talk Show
501. PSA: Public Service Announcement
601. Promotion
701. Sports Programming / Single Camera
801. Sports Programming / Multi-Camera
901. Public Meeting / Single Camera
1000. Public Meeting / Multi-Camera
1100. Public Ceremony / Single Camera
1200. Public Ceremony / Multi-Camera
1300. Public Parade / Single Camera
1400. Public Parade / Multi-Camera
1500. Concert / Single Camera
1600. Concert /Multiple Camera
1700. Community Holiday Event
1800. Community Development Event
1900. Community Ground Breaking/Ribbon Cutting/Dedication
2000. Community Festival/Fair Event
2100. Community Award Presentation
Haven’t had time to get it together? Don’t worry, many of us have not had the time. Registration has been extended until February 16. At least get that done. Videos are not due until the end of February. We want to see your entry. Enter the JAG Awards NOW!
by Geoffrey Belinfante, Conference Committee, Vice Chair
Even though our conference is still about 4 months away, your conference committee has already been busy planning another informative and entertaining event for all JAG members. This year’s conference is scheduled for May 16th and once again it will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, so mark your calendars now! The conference will be followed that evening by a gala celebration where we will present the JAG Awards for excellence in production for 2023.
As usual, this year’s conference will feature workshops and user group meetings that will bring you up to date on the latest from manufacturers and tips that help you create more interesting and better-looking programming. While this year’s panels are still in formation, there will be topics for programmers, production personnel and those with technical responsibilities for their facilities. Topics will include: Why PEG managers should care about Broadband deployment; Interviewing techniques from industry professionals; programming tips that might lead you to new sources of stories in your town; and new equipment that will make producing in the field easier. As usual there will be a legislative update from our Washington partners, and a report on trends from around the nation when negotiating enhancements to your next franchise agreement. Of course, there will be user groups for those who own equipment from particular manufacturers.
It is hoped that our keynote luncheon will feature speakers from the cable companies’ broadband suppliers and representatives from NATOA and/or the ACM to discuss broadband deployment and the future of cable companies, and why you as PEG operators should care.
As in the past, there will be an opportunity to meet with and see new offerings from manufacturers and our JAG Organizational members. This is a great time to familiarize yourself with new offerings that will improve your productions and make communicating with your citizens that much easier.
Since this is the age of Artificial Intelligence, we thought we would ask Microsoft’s Co- Pilot why it thinks you should attend. Here’s what it said:
Knowledge Enhancement: Attend sessions led by representatives from organizations such as NATOA, the ACM, and JAG’s Organizational Members. These sessions cover topics related to legislation, technology, and management in the media field. Learn about laws, rules, regulations, new equipment, and operational challenges.
Conference Content: The event features a diverse schedule, including a TelVue User Group Breakfast, exhibit hall, keynote lunch, and various sessions. Whether you’re interested in legislative updates, technological advancements, or management strategies, there’s something for everyone.
Networking Opportunities: The conference provides a platform to connect with fellow media professionals, industry experts, and like-minded individuals. You’ll have the chance to exchange ideas, collaborate, and build valuable relationships.
The Banquet-.Awards and Recognition: If you’re an Independent Producer, Non-Profit Organization or JAG Station Member in good standing, you can participate in the JAG Awards where we recognize excellence in production in our community. The banquet, where the JAG Awards are presented, is an opportunity to celebrate achievements, connect with peers, and enjoy a delicious meal. It’s a time to unwind, share stories, be entertained, and celebrate the vibrant community of media creators and advocates.
Remember, participating in the annual conference and banquet contributes to the collective growth and vibrancy of the JAG community. So, go ahead and register now to make the most of this enriching experience! Visit the conference website at www.jagconference.com See You There on May 16, 2024!!
But you don’t need Artificial Intelligence to make up your mind about the JAG Conference–regular intelligence will do just fine. Registration is now open. For more information, check out the conference tab on our website, jagonline.org/conference or log on to www.jagconference.com . Be sure to check back often to follow additions to the schedule. New events and workshops are being added all the time.
Thanks to our sponsors, TelVue, Planet Networks, Cologna Productions and Varto Technologies for making this all possible.
As we have talked about in the last few newsletters, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (HR 3557), is still in play in Congress. If enacted, it would impose new restrictions on local authorities regarding their ability to regulate a variety of state and local land use and zoning issues that pertain to the deployment of the telecommunications infrastructure. This would include wireless and wireline deployment, and new limits on the requirements and renewals of cable franchise agreements.
The CBO asked about the impact on cable franchise fees. Gerry Lederer, a partner at Best, Best & Krieger, LLP, was able to point them to the cable industry’s FCC filing back in 2018 that operators pay ~$3.4 billion, annually, in franchise fees.
Also discussed was the loss of wireless siting revenue and the burdens & expenses of increased permitting costs, inspections and requirements.
It remains to be seen how much CBO will rely on our ‘loss of (street rent) revenue,’ so we’re now pivoting to a focus on examples of increases costs/expense/burdens such as:
• Costs of a study to amend ordinances, code, permitting processes and/or fees.
• (In discussions, we mentioned a conservative estimate of $18-20K per unit of government. The # of local government units – counties, municipalities (cities and town), and special districts run from 28,000 – 32,000. (Last year, Treasury’s SLFRF funding reported 2,966 counties, 1,088 metropolitan cities (>50,000 pop.) and 22,356 non-entitlement units (<50,000 pop.).
• Back of the envelope, that’s an unfunded mandate of $504M – $640M.
• As Nancy Werner, partner at Bradley Werner, LLC, suggested, think in terms of Small Cell rules – studies, staff, consultants, staffing costs for wireless permitting reviews, inspections, etc., as well as any in-kind contributions that would be threatened.
For more information on this harmful bill, please watch JAG’s very informative video about HR3557 and hear what might happen if it is passed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzP_t_SPzGk . Please share this link with all those who have the influence and power to stop it.
While HR3557 is floating around Congress, we must not forget that the Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) is also still very much alive and is circulating the halls as well.
The FCC’s 2019 Franchise Fee Order redefined the federal Cable Act’s 5% franchise fee cap to include the value of most non-monetary franchise obligations as franchise fees. This change allows cable companies to reduce what they pay for the use of public property and rights-of-way. The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) would correct this error by simply clarifying that franchise fees are only monetary.
The Cable Act of 1984, protects the rights of a local community to charge cable companies a five (5%) percent franchise fee and to meet community needs and interests, such as providing public, educational and governmental channel capacity.
Contrary to industry practices that date to the 1980s, the FCC’s actions could result in reducing cable operators’ monetary compensation to towns and municipalities that wish to communicate with residents through community television. The FCC Order could force communities to choose between franchise fees or communicating with residents through community media that provide Americans with local civic, public safety and public health content.
The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) clarifies that only monetary payments, not non-monetary franchise obligations, qualify as Cable Act franchise fees and are subject to a fee cap. Without it, a cable operator could create fees to drain away municipal revenues and pressure municipalities to give up or de-staff channels.
For further information on these bills, please contact David Garb, Chair. of JAG’s Legislative Committee at davegarb@paps.net. JAG (Jersey Access Group) constantly advocates, analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as: Local Government Communications and Internet Policy. JAG promotes, and preserves the right to, media production, distribution, civic engagement, and education in support of diverse community voices, through Public, Educational and Government access facilities and other forms of media
Creating a successful broadcast schedule involves both art and science. Understanding your audience is the foundation for a winning program strategy. Knowing demographics and daily routines (kids aren’t available during school hours, working folks may only view evening broadcasts, seniors and retirees might watch during the day) allows you to tailor your content with more dayparting and encourage “habitual” viewing. Focusing on the Ls: local and live drive viewership. Leveraging technology tools to increase programming, promotion, reach, and accessibility can help grow your audience and keep viewers coming back for more.
The TelVue HyperCaster’s powerful series scheduling automates and simplifies adding a wide variety of programming. Combined with support of a vast array of live streaming sources, you can easily create a fresh, updated program schedule including live programming. The HyperCaster has always been ahead of the curve on streaming integration, supporting modern SRT (since 2017), RTMP Push & Pull, Social Media, Zoom, NDI and more, without the need for expensive restreaming services just to go live. The JAG Media Exchange is also a great resource for “like” programming to complement your local productions. The HyperCaster’s integrated Bulletin Board augments scheduled programming and connects your audience to town departments and community organizations needing to deliver important local announcements.
The HyperCaster’s new mobile user interface makes program scheduling much faster and more convenient, including on-the-go. Expanded user access control makes it more efficient to distribute and partition scheduling responsibilities, such as scheduling certain channels only, or managing live events only for volunteers.
New HyperCaster Mobile & Responsive Scheduling Interface
Consistent scheduling can increase tune-in and deliver a professional viewing experience, helping to build viewer loyalty. The new HyperCaster program segmentation feature allows building in natural program breaks for spot messaging, sponsorships, and to pad programs to consistent durations. Designed originally for advertising and modern FAST channels, segmentation is useful for PEG stations as well.
Promoting your programming is essential to attract and retain viewers. HyperCaster’s graphic overlay rules with snipes, tickers, program guides, and squeezebacks automate on-air marketing messaging to maintain audience flow throughout the day. The fully searchable website guide, electronic program guide integration, and CloudCast’s program guide display alongside your live stream all drive promotion.
HyperCaster On-Air Program Guides & Integrated CBB
Social media platforms are also a crucial tool for your station to expand its reach and increase engagement. TelVue’s integrated social streaming simplifies distribution to platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, where you can also leverage analytics for demographics and more. TelVue’s native CloudCast analytics and reporting make it easier to identify who, where, what and for how long people are watching on your website, mobile & OTT apps. This enables your station to evaluate the success of your programming and identify opportunities for improvement.
CloudCast Integrated Viewer Analytics & Reports
Accessibility is increasingly important to ensure all viewers can connect with your cable & streaming content. Many viewers, especially young multi-taskers, prefer to watch video programming with the captions on. TelVue SmartCaption is an affordable way to automatically caption your channels and on-demand programming, while also making your government meetings fully searchable. The CloudCast video player has been designed with web accessibility in mind and is well on the way to full adherence to upcoming Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ADA requirements. Embracing the best practices above can elevate the appeal of your station’s programming, leading to increased viewer engagement and satisfaction, and cement your station’s role as an important local broadcasting hub. TelVue’s focus has always been to provide the scheduling and broadcast tools to help you reach these objectives. At the JAG meeting this month, we look forward to showcasing the latest TelVue enhancements that can help you craft and deliver compelling and engaging local TV, wherever and however your viewers are watching.
News & Events
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.
Ada Erik and Marilyn Lichtenberg have been staunch supports of the station since its inception more than 10 years ago. Ada, whom many of you know, was instrumental in getting the station launched and she is the first to tell anyone who will listen that she and her fledgling committee couldn’t have done it without JAG. Likewise, the members of the committee couldn’t have done it without the full support of our council liaisons.
During the early days, we got guidance from JAG about everything from policies and procedures to technical advice on equipment purchases, but once the station was up and running, it was our council liaisons who provided those of us on the operational side with the support to keep us going.
As you might expect, not everyone on the council was a fan of the station. Some members didn’t want the meetings filmed at all and others were concerned that there was yet another item to finance with a budget that was already tight. However. the station persevered despite the naysayers and doubters. In the early days, our program schedule was filled with council meetings, a community bulletin board and not much more. Then, gradually we added programing, in part thanks to the JAG server, but inevitably, at the urging of our council liaisons, there was the desire to produce more local programming and of course that meant the need for new equipment. I suppose that’s the normal progression for stations like ours, but our detractors on the council had their reservations. When faced with the need for more funding, Ada very wisely told the commissioners to give the township more local programming to make the channel more valuable to residents. This turned out to be sound advice.
First, we kept it simple, adding single camera shoots of school board meetings, lecturers at the library and town events like coverage of our Autumn Lights Festival and Memorial Day Ceremonies. Finally, we added more ambitious coverage of some of our high school sports, our summer concerts and a series of musical performances from a restaurant in town known as the Vreeland Store. We even won our first JAG Award for a local show we produced on a Civil War reenactment at the historic Long Pond Iron Works in town. Just as Ada predicted, we gave the council and the residents programming that they didn’t know they wanted, but once they had it, WM77 was able to raise its profile among its most important constituents—the township council.
The end result was, over time, funding for two new cameras, a wireless microphone package, a LiveU solo, a Black Magic switcher with monitor and an audio board. While we still don’t have a studio, there is even hope that the township will find us a permanent home in the very near future.
So, based on our experience up here in the highlands, the cable commission and its council liaisons, Ada and Marilyn, have been a driving force for our growth. I would urge all members who have to work with a TV Commission to treat them as partners. Win their respect with your dedication and the creative programs you produce. Give the council and your residence something they didn’t know they needed. Allow them to see themselves, their children and their elected officials at work and at play. Give them something they can’t see anywhere else on the dial—themselves.
Posted: March 19, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG’s Annual Conference Taking Shape – 2024
by Geoffrey Belinfante, Conference Committee, Vice Chair
Just like a fine red wine that gets better as it breaths, JAG’s conference gets better and better as the plans mature. Okay, okay, perhaps the analogy is a bit over the top, but indulge me. Your conference committee has been working diligently to assemble a series of workshops that will make this year’s conference special—no matter what your interests. The wine has been breathing since the last article. Sessions are in three categories. Here’s a preview:
Legislative
If you are interested in legislation and the comings and goings in Washington, DC, there are several panels that are right for you. We have assembled a knowledgeable panel to keep you up to date on the latest trends in cable franchise agreements from around the country. If you’re facing an upcoming negotiation or if you just want to keep up on the latest trends, you won’t want to miss this panel. It discusses the kinds of things you can negotiate in your next franchise agreement.
Closed captioning is a hot topic. You might have to close caption all your municipal programs in the very near future. So, you won’t want to miss our panel on when and how to comply with the American’s with Disabilities Act. There’s a new initiative, not from the FCC, but from the Justice Department, that may compel you to act faster than you think.
Finally, our luncheon program focuses on broadband and what it means for the future of the cable industry in general and the future of PEG distribution. This discussion focuses on the state of broadband deployment in New Jersey, and why you, as a JAG member/station operator should care about it. Learn about funds that might available from the grants that your municipality receives to cover the cost of over-the-top delivery of your station.
Programming and Management
If your interests go more towards programming and station management, we have workshops for you. The committee has assembled a group of station people to discuss new ways to reach your citizens. If you have overall responsibility of communicating, motivating and inspiring your residents, you won’t want to miss this one.
The key to much of the programming that we produce is getting great information from interview subjects. Once again, we will present a panel of professionals offering tips on interviewing techniques to help you hone your interviewing skills.
Related to interviewing technique is the art of storytelling. How do you identify, research, shoot and edit a compelling story that is informative and entertaining. There are two Understanding the Elements of Storytelling sessions presented by seasoned professionals that can help you improve programming quality on your station.
Finally, many of our members have the responsibility of generating new and interesting programs that will keep viewers entertained and informed about their communities, but finding new ideas can be challenging. A panel of some of JAG’s more prolific program producers share their insight into where to find new stories in your community that you may have overlooked.
Technology
If you have interest in new developments in technology then there are panels for you too. Perhaps you have heard about or attended a closed caption panel and now you have to figure out what you’re going to do when your town is required to comply. Here is a panel which will explain the options available to you, the pricing, and the technology that you can choose.
Are you tired of shlepping heavy lighting equipment around for location shoots, then don’t miss our panel on the latest trends in location lighting. Your back, legs, knees and shoulders will thank you.
Finally, there is an important panel that discusses technology from LiveU that allows all PEG channels to easily interface with your Office of Emergency Management (OEM) when there is important information that must get to your residents immediately. In fact, you should consider inviting the people who run the OEM in your town. This free session is for all OEM, police and fire officials.
So, if you take all this interesting programming, the opportunity to speak with some of our valuable organizational partners, the chance to attend user groups, then add plenty of time to network with your colleague, you’ve got another exciting conference to look forward to.
Add the JAG Banquet and JAG Awards as your evening activity and there is a full day of information, networking, and entertainment. Mark your calendars now: May 16 at the Crowne Plaza in Edition.
All of us on the committee hope you can attend.
Registration is now open at Shop – JAG Conference
For more information, check out the conference tab on our website, jagonline.org/conference or log on to www.jagconference.com. Be sure to check back often to follow additions to the schedule. New events and sessions are being added all the time.
Call for Vendors
Booth size and event sponsors: Link to register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/889386h
Exhibitors include:
TelVue Corporation DeSisti
Varto Technologies LiveU
Cologna Productions JVC
NJ Film Commission Eiki
My Case Builder Swit
Thanks to our sponsors:
Diamond-TelVue
Titanium-Planet Networks
Platinum-Varto Technologies
Sapphire-LiveU
Gold-Cologna Productions
DeSisti Lighting
Posted: March 19, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Legislative Update March 2024: News from Trenton & Washington, DC
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
Last October the White House urged congressional appropriators to dedicate $6 billion to extend the ACP, or Affordable Connectivity Program through the end of 2024. The ACP allows about 23 million low-income households to receive discounts on their internet bills of up to $30 a month. Lawmakers and Federal Communications Commission officials have held numerous rallies calling for this program to receive a new round of appropriations from Congress. If it does not receive this money, the existing funds would expire in the end of April as reported by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, this past January. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (N.J.), the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said recently at an event to gather support for this program, “it’s going to be very detrimental to all these people that need internet access if the funding expires”.
A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers unveiled a bill last month to re-up its funding (ACP Extension Act: HR-6929/S-3565). Now, key negotiators are pushing to tuck the measure into upcoming spending bills on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are racing to avert a possible shutdown.
From the New Jersey League of Municipalities:
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee is scheduled to consider A-4045, and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee are considering an identical bill S2930, that change various rules to OPRA. These reforms to the Open Public Records Act address many of the issues municipalities have been experiencing since the inception of OPRA, including:
The League is strongly in favor of these proposed changes and encourage you to reach out to your legislator to express municipal support for these bills. We will update this story as it progresses.
Please do not forget that the Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) is still circulating in Congress.
From the ACM (Alliance for Community Media):
The FCC’s 2019 Franchise Fee Order redefined the federal Cable Act’s 5% franchise fee cap to include the value of most non-monetary franchise obligations as franchise fees. This change allows cable companies to reduce what they pay for the use of public property and rights-of-way. The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) would correct this error by simply clarifying that franchise fees are only monetary.
The Cable Act of 1984, protects the rights of a local community to charge cable companies a five (5%) percent franchise fee and to meet community needs and interests, such as providing public, educational and governmental channel capacity.
Contrary to industry practices that date back to the 1980s, the FCC’s actions could result in reducing cable operators’ monetary compensation to towns and municipalities that wish to communicate with residents through community television. The FCC Order could force communities to choose between franchise fees or communicating with residents through community media that provide Americans with local civic, public safety and public health content.
The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) clarifies that only monetary payments, not non-monetary franchise obligations, qualify as Cable Act franchise fees and are subject to a fee cap. Without it, a cable operator could create fees to drain away municipal revenues and pressure municipalities to give up or de-staff channels.
JAG constantly advocates, analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as: Local Government Communications and Internet Policy.
Posted: March 19, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG’s new video partner: Granicus
by Andrew Collinsworth, Account Executive, Granicus
Have you heard of Granicus? They’ve been serving government since being founded in 1999. Granicus helps organizations run more efficiently, effectively, and transparently. Their video streaming solutions make meetings accessible to the public, wherever they are and on their own devices.
Granicus’ mobile-friendly, multi-channel video streaming solution lets viewers search for and skip ahead to any agenda item they want to view, without sitting through or fast forward through an entire meeting. Voice search, multi-lingual captioning and automated minutes are just some of the time savers that benefit both staff and the public. With industry-leading video quality, security and reliability not previously seen in the government meeting market, Granicus created a true industry revolution and continues to lead the way.
In 2022, Granicus acquired Swagit to continue the transformation of streaming video for government. Swagit’s EASE solution helps relieve the workload of overburdened government meeting managers and IT staff by allowing agencies to offload hosting to Swagit servers. EASE also includes agenda indexing—shifting that duty from government staff to the Swagit team, which saves staff resources and improves turnaround time from meeting to public posting of the polished video.
Swagit’s AVIOR solution scales the EASE concept to an international level, outsourcing meeting streaming and recording for reliable, hands-off production.
In addition to video hosting and indexing, the Swagit team uses multiple cameras and manages all production work including panning, camera switching, zooming and on-screen graphics. It’s all done remotely from their offices in Dallas, Texas. With AVIOR, government agencies recover valuable staff time, improve viewer experience, and can redirect taxpayer dollars toward core priorities, avoiding repetitive meeting work or troubleshooting technology during critical public meetings.
The AVIOR solution has been successfully deployed in cities both large and small, including Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. In the decade since its installation, Swagit AVIOR has been serving the remote Arctic city reliably and securely. Hundreds of jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada rely entirely on the Swagit production team for video management, production and polishing. They don’t worry about staff coverage, technical problems, or low-quality video.
The addition of Swagit maintains Granicus’ dedication to using video solutions to enhance government participation. Swagit’s functions complement Granicus’ industry-best closed captioning, transcription, spoken word search tools, as well as simultaneous multi-channel streaming capabilities, including social media platforms and cable access channels. These features, along with mobile device responsiveness, allow government agencies to reach viewers anywhere.
In the years since its founding, Granicus grew beyond video streaming and recording. The Granicus video solutions are part of a larger suite of products and services bringing digital solutions to governments managing meeting agenda creation, public record requests, board and committee staffing and servicing, website design and hosting, and public engagement. JAG’s partnership with Granicus evidences our ongoing commitment to transparency and quality in the services we provide. Tune in on Wednesday, March 27, and get to know our new video partner and the solutions we’re exploring.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Brookdale Television – JAG’s Own Wonder Woman
by Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Committee, Chair
Note: This is usually a spotlight written by one of our JAG Members, however this article was written by Geoff Belinfante with input from Lauren Concar Sheehy. Lauren is busy doing what Wonder Women do, but her story should be of interest to JAG members.
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.
Brookdale Television (BTV) is a non-profit Educational Access Channel that can be viewed on Comcast Channel 21 and Verizon FIOS Channel 46 throughout central New Jersey, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BTV’s mission is to present quality educational programs that inform and inspire viewers. While working at BTV is her full-time job, her passion for the last 22 years has been the Garden State Film Festival. In fact, she is so busy preparing for this year’s festival that she has asked me to draft this article about her and the festival.
In addition, Lauren is a filmmaker with a long, passionate history in the Television & Film industry. She has written, executive produced, directed & edited award-winning content for Bloomberg TV, SAG-AFTRA & other high-profile clients. Her latest feature, which she co-produced, Shelter in Solitude is out now on all platforms.
Sandwiched between her responsibilities at Brookdale, and her independent film making, this Wonder Woman and her team has worked tirelessly year after year to bring a first-class film festival to the Garden State, and this year will be no exception.
From March 21-24, GSFF transforms Asbury Park and Cranford into a cinematic paradise, showcasing over 200 films from 14 countries in eight venues The festival is a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the art of storytelling, with a variety of films, both theatrical and documentary, engaging panels, live podcasts, and not-to-be-missed parties. JAG members who have an interest in the production of films of all kinds will welcome a chance to meet and network with celebrities and professionals from all over the world right in our backyard.
As usual, Lauren and her associates have assembled a diverse, informative and entertaining selection of feature films and documentaries. This year’s lineup boasts notable figures such as Matthew Modine, Carla Raij, Janice Kovach, Armand Assante, Lisa Eldelstein, Bridget Moynahan, Ed Begley Jr., and sports legends Louis Neglia and Joe Pyfer. The GSFF is a testament to New Jersey’s storied film history and as a hub for producers, directors, actors, investors, and industry talents.
One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be the screening of Don Q, a comedy crime thriller that features international star Armand Assante who will be on hand to discuss the film and answer questions from the audience. In addition, this year’s festival will feature screenings of a thriller called The Nanny; a comedy thriller called Don’t Tell Larry; and a documentary called Journey to the UFC about Joe Pyfer’s overcoming insurmountable odds to become a UFC fighter.
As with any good film festival there will be social events and lots of opportunities to network. This year’s festival kicks off with a Meet the Filmmakers cocktail party on Thursday March 21st at the Asbury Hotel, and no good film festival would be complete without a red-carpet celebration… and the Garden State Film Festival is no exception. On Friday March 22nd there will be a red-carpet premiere of the drama “The Martini Shot” starring Mathew Modine, John Cleese, Fiona Flascott, Derek Jacoby, and Stuart Townsend.
The festival culminates in an awards dinner on Sunday March 24th, with awards to the winning films, screenplay, and the best movie music. The festival also honors the Exceptional Woman of the Year which this year goes to New Jersey’s own Carla Raij, who worked with Steven Spielberg on the Fablemans and the Educator of the Year which goes to David Dilianni from Film Academy360. Who knows, perhaps there are some future JAG members in the Student Television network that he represents.
Naturally, the festival includes feature films and documentaries shot right here in New Jersey, using our mountains, lakes, beaches, cities, farms and historic sites as background. It’s always great to see locations you know on the big screen, or perhaps you or someone you know worked on these Jersey based productions. There may even be some films that would be appropriate for exposure on our municipal channels.
Tickets for the Garden State Film Festival are available on-line at gsff.org and are reasonably priced with a variety of options, so I would urge all JAG members to consider supporting Lauren’s efforts to bring a bit of glamour to the Garden State. Congratulations to JAG member, Lauren Concar, award winning filmmaker, community activist and a tireless champion for the arts in New Jersey and to all of her associates who help assemble this incredible weekend of entertainment. It’s always great to see a fellow JAG member work outside their traditional venue to create something of value to the entire State.
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG Awards February 2024
by George Farfield, JAG Awards Committee Chair
THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING! THE JAG AWARDS IS CLOSING!!
Did your town have a concert? Did your station record it? How about a council meeting? Did your town have a community event? These are all great events you can enter in the JAG Awards.
Not sure what the categories are? Here they are…surely you have something to enter.
101. Documentary
201. Instructional/Training
301. News Magazine
401. Talk Show
501. PSA: Public Service Announcement
601. Promotion
701. Sports Programming / Single Camera
801. Sports Programming / Multi-Camera
901. Public Meeting / Single Camera
1000. Public Meeting / Multi-Camera
1100. Public Ceremony / Single Camera
1200. Public Ceremony / Multi-Camera
1300. Public Parade / Single Camera
1400. Public Parade / Multi-Camera
1500. Concert / Single Camera
1600. Concert /Multiple Camera
1700. Community Holiday Event
1800. Community Development Event
1900. Community Ground Breaking/Ribbon Cutting/Dedication
2000. Community Festival/Fair Event
2100. Community Award Presentation
Haven’t had time to get it together? Don’t worry, many of us have not had the time. Registration has been extended until February 16. At least get that done. Videos are not due until the end of February. We want to see your entry. Enter the JAG Awards NOW!
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
JAG’s Annual Conference Taking Shape
by Geoffrey Belinfante, Conference Committee, Vice Chair
Even though our conference is still about 4 months away, your conference committee has already been busy planning another informative and entertaining event for all JAG members. This year’s conference is scheduled for May 16th and once again it will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, so mark your calendars now! The conference will be followed that evening by a gala celebration where we will present the JAG Awards for excellence in production for 2023.
As usual, this year’s conference will feature workshops and user group meetings that will bring you up to date on the latest from manufacturers and tips that help you create more interesting and better-looking programming. While this year’s panels are still in formation, there will be topics for programmers, production personnel and those with technical responsibilities for their facilities. Topics will include: Why PEG managers should care about Broadband deployment; Interviewing techniques from industry professionals; programming tips that might lead you to new sources of stories in your town; and new equipment that will make producing in the field easier. As usual there will be a legislative update from our Washington partners, and a report on trends from around the nation when negotiating enhancements to your next franchise agreement. Of course, there will be user groups for those who own equipment from particular manufacturers.
It is hoped that our keynote luncheon will feature speakers from the cable companies’ broadband suppliers and representatives from NATOA and/or the ACM to discuss broadband deployment and the future of cable companies, and why you as PEG operators should care.
As in the past, there will be an opportunity to meet with and see new offerings from manufacturers and our JAG Organizational members. This is a great time to familiarize yourself with new offerings that will improve your productions and make communicating with your citizens that much easier.
Since this is the age of Artificial Intelligence, we thought we would ask Microsoft’s Co- Pilot why it thinks you should attend. Here’s what it said:
Remember, participating in the annual conference and banquet contributes to the collective growth and vibrancy of the JAG community. So, go ahead and register now to make the most of this enriching experience! Visit the conference website at www.jagconference.com See You There on May 16, 2024!!
But you don’t need Artificial Intelligence to make up your mind about the JAG Conference–regular intelligence will do just fine. Registration is now open. For more information, check out the conference tab on our website, jagonline.org/conference or log on to www.jagconference.com . Be sure to check back often to follow additions to the schedule. New events and workshops are being added all the time.
Thanks to our sponsors, TelVue, Planet Networks, Cologna Productions and Varto Technologies for making this all possible.
Call for Vendors Booth size and event sponsors: Link to Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/889386h
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Legislative Update February 2024: News from Washington DC- The Congressional Budget Office
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
As we have talked about in the last few newsletters, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (HR 3557), is still in play in Congress. If enacted, it would impose new restrictions on local authorities regarding their ability to regulate a variety of state and local land use and zoning issues that pertain to the deployment of the telecommunications infrastructure. This would include wireless and wireline deployment, and new limits on the requirements and renewals of cable franchise agreements.
In order to fully understand the ramifications if it were to pass, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Public and Private Mandates Unit asked for an Inquiry about it. Last month, the National League of Cities, the United States Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, met with the CBO about the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023. They were able to relate the concerns of local government regarding the cost impact and loss of revenue to local and state governments that would be caused by this bill.
From NATOA:
The CBO asked about the impact on cable franchise fees. Gerry Lederer, a partner at Best, Best & Krieger, LLP, was able to point them to the cable industry’s FCC filing back in 2018 that operators pay ~$3.4 billion, annually, in franchise fees.
Also discussed was the loss of wireless siting revenue and the burdens & expenses of increased permitting costs, inspections and requirements.
It remains to be seen how much CBO will rely on our ‘loss of (street rent) revenue,’ so we’re now pivoting to a focus on examples of increases costs/expense/burdens such as:
• Costs of a study to amend ordinances, code, permitting processes and/or fees.
• (In discussions, we mentioned a conservative estimate of $18-20K per unit of government. The # of local government units – counties, municipalities (cities and town), and special districts run from 28,000 – 32,000. (Last year, Treasury’s SLFRF funding reported 2,966 counties, 1,088 metropolitan cities (>50,000 pop.) and 22,356 non-entitlement units (<50,000 pop.).
• Back of the envelope, that’s an unfunded mandate of $504M – $640M.
• As Nancy Werner, partner at Bradley Werner, LLC, suggested, think in terms of Small Cell rules – studies, staff, consultants, staffing costs for wireless permitting reviews, inspections, etc., as well as any in-kind contributions that would be threatened.
For more information on this harmful bill, please watch JAG’s very informative video about HR3557 and hear what might happen if it is passed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzP_t_SPzGk . Please share this link with all those who have the influence and power to stop it.
While HR3557 is floating around Congress, we must not forget that the Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) is also still very much alive and is circulating the halls as well.
From the ACM (Alliance for Community Media):
The FCC’s 2019 Franchise Fee Order redefined the federal Cable Act’s 5% franchise fee cap to include the value of most non-monetary franchise obligations as franchise fees. This change allows cable companies to reduce what they pay for the use of public property and rights-of-way. The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) would correct this error by simply clarifying that franchise fees are only monetary.
The Cable Act of 1984, protects the rights of a local community to charge cable companies a five (5%) percent franchise fee and to meet community needs and interests, such as providing public, educational and governmental channel capacity.
Contrary to industry practices that date to the 1980s, the FCC’s actions could result in reducing cable operators’ monetary compensation to towns and municipalities that wish to communicate with residents through community television. The FCC Order could force communities to choose between franchise fees or communicating with residents through community media that provide Americans with local civic, public safety and public health content.
The Protecting Community Television Act (HR 907/S 340) clarifies that only monetary payments, not non-monetary franchise obligations, qualify as Cable Act franchise fees and are subject to a fee cap. Without it, a cable operator could create fees to drain away municipal revenues and pressure municipalities to give up or de-staff channels.
For further information on these bills, please contact David Garb, Chair. of JAG’s Legislative Committee at davegarb@paps.net. JAG (Jersey Access Group) constantly advocates, analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as: Local Government Communications and Internet Policy. JAG promotes, and preserves the right to, media production, distribution, civic engagement, and education in support of diverse community voices, through Public, Educational and Government access facilities and other forms of media
Posted: February 14, 2024 by Doug Seidel
Programming Best Practices “Crafting Compelling and Engaging Local TV”
by Jesse Lerman, President/CEO, TelVue
Creating a successful broadcast schedule involves both art and science. Understanding your audience is the foundation for a winning program strategy. Knowing demographics and daily routines (kids aren’t available during school hours, working folks may only view evening broadcasts, seniors and retirees might watch during the day) allows you to tailor your content with more dayparting and encourage “habitual” viewing. Focusing on the Ls: local and live drive viewership. Leveraging technology tools to increase programming, promotion, reach, and accessibility can help grow your audience and keep viewers coming back for more.
The TelVue HyperCaster’s powerful series scheduling automates and simplifies adding a wide variety of programming. Combined with support of a vast array of live streaming sources, you can easily create a fresh, updated program schedule including live programming. The HyperCaster has always been ahead of the curve on streaming integration, supporting modern SRT (since 2017), RTMP Push & Pull, Social Media, Zoom, NDI and more, without the need for expensive restreaming services just to go live. The JAG Media Exchange is also a great resource for “like” programming to complement your local productions. The HyperCaster’s integrated Bulletin Board augments scheduled programming and connects your audience to town departments and community organizations needing to deliver important local announcements.
The HyperCaster’s new mobile user interface makes program scheduling much faster and more convenient, including on-the-go. Expanded user access control makes it more efficient to distribute and partition scheduling responsibilities, such as scheduling certain channels only, or managing live events only for volunteers.
Consistent scheduling can increase tune-in and deliver a professional viewing experience, helping to build viewer loyalty. The new HyperCaster program segmentation feature allows building in natural program breaks for spot messaging, sponsorships, and to pad programs to consistent durations. Designed originally for advertising and modern FAST channels, segmentation is useful for PEG stations as well.
Promoting your programming is essential to attract and retain viewers. HyperCaster’s graphic overlay rules with snipes, tickers, program guides, and squeezebacks automate on-air marketing messaging to maintain audience flow throughout the day. The fully searchable website guide, electronic program guide integration, and CloudCast’s program guide display alongside your live stream all drive promotion.
Social media platforms are also a crucial tool for your station to expand its reach and increase engagement. TelVue’s integrated social streaming simplifies distribution to platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, where you can also leverage analytics for demographics and more. TelVue’s native CloudCast analytics and reporting make it easier to identify who, where, what and for how long people are watching on your website, mobile & OTT apps. This enables your station to evaluate the success of your programming and identify opportunities for improvement.
Accessibility is increasingly important to ensure all viewers can connect with your cable & streaming content. Many viewers, especially young multi-taskers, prefer to watch video programming with the captions on. TelVue SmartCaption is an affordable way to automatically caption your channels and on-demand programming, while also making your government meetings fully searchable. The CloudCast video player has been designed with web accessibility in mind and is well on the way to full adherence to upcoming Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ADA requirements. Embracing the best practices above can elevate the appeal of your station’s programming, leading to increased viewer engagement and satisfaction, and cement your station’s role as an important local broadcasting hub. TelVue’s focus has always been to provide the scheduling and broadcast tools to help you reach these objectives. At the JAG meeting this month, we look forward to showcasing the latest TelVue enhancements that can help you craft and deliver compelling and engaging local TV, wherever and however your viewers are watching.