by Aime Alonzo, J.D. (She/Her) Executive Assistant to the BA, OBTV and Digital Content D/P
Hello JAG colleagues and friends. I have always felt energized to read about the innovative upgrades and programs happening at other stations. There is nothing more thrilling and inspiring than seeing what is possible and imagining how those ideas might spark new opportunities for all our work. I remember reading similar JAG articles about other stations and feeling my creativity come alive with each example. My hope is that this article does the same for you. I hope you feel encouraged to come up with new ideas and that you are reminded of the exciting potential within reach for each of our stations.
OBTV has been working on several projects. Because our studio is small, we do what we can to make the most of the space. For years, in the studio, we used large and very hot lights, but they were no longer meeting our needs. We upgraded our lights to smaller cooler LED lights manufactured in Italy. This change in lighting also allowed us to create new set designs and use more of our space.
The project began long before we placed our order in August of 2025. However, we experienced several delays, from manufacturing delays and tariff related uncertainty to the unexpected challenge of our public works department no longer being available to help with the electrical installation, which required us to hire a licensed electrician instead. But once the lights were finally installed in the spring of 2026, the transformation was evident. The studio feels larger and it stays much cooler. The updated lighting allows us to make better use of our space by incorporating two additional background options. We also added more lighting in the council chamber to enhance the look and quality of our broadcasts.
We upgraded our video control panel and worked on upgrading our audio system. But, alas, there’s always a challenge. The audio system was installed before my time and the company that installed it is no longer in business. So, the search began for a company that could help us without having to spend a lot of money reconfiguring the entire system. We were fortunate to find a company that knew some of the folks who originally worked on our audio system. During this process, we added two more microphones in the council chamber, we reconfigured the audio outputs for the municipal court, upgraded some of the HDMI ports, and we are in the process of installing a Wi-Fi based Assistive Listening System (ALS) so that our residents can hear the meetings better when they attend in person. I continue working to ensure that we remain ADA compliant. There are many stakeholders involved in this effort and navigating all the requirements can be challenging. It’s an ongoing process but we are making steady progress.
Amid all these upgrades, we continued producing new episodes of our programs and covered township events. Our program “Spotlight on Old Bridge” is the result of strong partnerships with the businesses in our community, and its goal is to remind residents that everything they may need can be found right here in town. It’s a more personal way to highlight local businesses and encourage everyone to shop locally.
We also continued our collaboration with Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center. Together, we produce a monthly program that covers important topics such as heart health, weight loss, colon cancer awareness, mental health, and stroke prevention. Nearly a year ago, I was asked to step into the role of host, and since then we’ve shifted much of the filming from the hospital to our studio. This allows us to create a more inviting and consistent production.
We believe our residents are truly remarkable, which inspired me to launch a new program called “Made in Old Bridge.” This program highlights the amazing people who make our community so special. Our first guest was a high school student whose short film was accepted into the Garden State Film Festival. Our second guest was a first-time author who began writing his story decades ago but due to family responsibilities had to wait until recently to finish it and publish it. We’re already working on our next episode as I write this. I created this show to encourage people to reach for their dreams no matter where they are starting from. I believe that anything is possible if you just start.
Overall, these projects and experiences have been very rewarding. I encourage everyone to think outside the box about how to make your spaces more versatile and to develop programming that speaks to the community you serve. Talk to your residents whenever you can and you will be surprised by the ideas that surface.
Our station is probably one of the smallest, with just two of us on staff. I manage all administrative responsibilities, including budgets and contracts, while directing, producing, script writing, camera work, and engaging with the public. My teammate handles camera work and editing. Aside from the help we receive from interns in the summer, every program you see on our channel is produced by the two of us.
It is always encouraging to know there are people who understand the unique challenges we face and are willing to share insight and support. So if anyone has any questions or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Happy filming everyone!
OBTV, Reimagining the Possibilities, One Upgrade at a Time
Posted: October 17, 2026 by Rich Desimone
by Aime Alonzo, J.D. (She/Her) Executive Assistant to the BA, OBTV and Digital Content D/P
Hello JAG colleagues and friends. I have always felt energized to read about the innovative upgrades and programs happening at other stations. There is nothing more thrilling and inspiring than seeing what is possible and imagining how those ideas might spark new opportunities for all our work. I remember reading similar JAG articles about other stations and feeling my creativity come alive with each example. My hope is that this article does the same for you. I hope you feel encouraged to come up with new ideas and that you are reminded of the exciting potential within reach for each of our stations.
OBTV has been working on several projects. Because our studio is small, we do what we can to make the most of the space. For years, in the studio, we used large and very hot lights, but they were no longer meeting our needs. We upgraded our lights to smaller cooler LED lights manufactured in Italy. This change in lighting also allowed us to create new set designs and use more of our space.
The project began long before we placed our order in August of 2025. However, we experienced several delays, from manufacturing delays and tariff related uncertainty to the unexpected challenge of our public works department no longer being available to help with the electrical installation, which required us to hire a licensed electrician instead. But once the lights were finally installed in the spring of 2026, the transformation was evident. The studio feels larger and it stays much cooler. The updated lighting allows us to make better use of our space by incorporating two additional background options. We also added more lighting in the council chamber to enhance the look and quality of our broadcasts.
We upgraded our video control panel and worked on upgrading our audio system. But, alas, there’s always a challenge. The audio system was installed before my time and the company that installed it is no longer in business. So, the search began for a company that could help us without having to spend a lot of money reconfiguring the entire system. We were fortunate to find a company that knew some of the folks who originally worked on our audio system. During this process, we added two more microphones in the council chamber, we reconfigured the audio outputs for the municipal court, upgraded some of the HDMI ports, and we are in the process of installing a Wi-Fi based Assistive Listening System (ALS) so that our residents can hear the meetings better when they attend in person. I continue working to ensure that we remain ADA compliant. There are many stakeholders involved in this effort and navigating all the requirements can be challenging. It’s an ongoing process but we are making steady progress.
Amid all these upgrades, we continued producing new episodes of our programs and covered township events. Our program “Spotlight on Old Bridge” is the result of strong partnerships with the businesses in our community, and its goal is to remind residents that everything they may need can be found right here in town. It’s a more personal way to highlight local businesses and encourage everyone to shop locally.
We also continued our collaboration with Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center. Together, we produce a monthly program that covers important topics such as heart health, weight loss, colon cancer awareness, mental health, and stroke prevention. Nearly a year ago, I was asked to step into the role of host, and since then we’ve shifted much of the filming from the hospital to our studio. This allows us to create a more inviting and consistent production.
We believe our residents are truly remarkable, which inspired me to launch a new program called “Made in Old Bridge.” This program highlights the amazing people who make our community so special. Our first guest was a high school student whose short film was accepted into the Garden State Film Festival. Our second guest was a first-time author who began writing his story decades ago but due to family responsibilities had to wait until recently to finish it and publish it. We’re already working on our next episode as I write this. I created this show to encourage people to reach for their dreams no matter where they are starting from. I believe that anything is possible if you just start.
Overall, these projects and experiences have been very rewarding. I encourage everyone to think outside the box about how to make your spaces more versatile and to develop programming that speaks to the community you serve. Talk to your residents whenever you can and you will be surprised by the ideas that surface.
Our station is probably one of the smallest, with just two of us on staff. I manage all administrative responsibilities, including budgets and contracts, while directing, producing, script writing, camera work, and engaging with the public. My teammate handles camera work and editing. Aside from the help we receive from interns in the summer, every program you see on our channel is produced by the two of us.
It is always encouraging to know there are people who understand the unique challenges we face and are willing to share insight and support. So if anyone has any questions or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Happy filming everyone!
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Category: Latest JAG News, Member Spotlight