by Mike Solomon, Station Manager, Clifton Cable Channel
When the world shut down in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis, many people found themselves searching for ways to help their communities. For me, that journey began as a volunteer at the City of Clifton’s public-access television station (Clifton Cable Channel). At the time, I simply wanted to lend my skills to help keep residents informed during an unprecedented period of uncertainty. What I didn’t know then was that this volunteer effort would become a career I now deeply love.
The City of Clifton recognized my contributions early on. In 2021, the city created a part-time position for me so I could continue to improve the station’s programming. A year later, in 2022, I was offered the role of Station Manager—an honor that came with both responsibility and opportunity. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to enhancing the technical quality, cinematic value, and community relevance of all our productions.
From the start, my goal has been to elevate the way our city meetings (including council, zoning, and planning board sessions) are presented to the public. These meetings are essential to transparency and civic engagement, and I believe they should be captured with clarity, professionalism, and production values that keep viewers engaged. The same philosophy applies to supplementary programming, from concerts and parades to cultural festivals and community fairs.
A major part of this improvement has been modernizing our equipment. When I began, the station relied on basic consumer-grade “soccer mom” handheld camcorders. Since then, I’ve led a complete upgrade to professional-level tools, including the latest Sony DSLR cameras and studio production cameras for in-studio work. These advancements have allowed us to produce programming with crisp visuals, rich color, and a more cinematic feel—raising the standard for what local public-access television can be.
Behind every success story is a strong team, and I am grateful to have one of the best.
My assistant station manager, Anthony Bartlett, has been an invaluable partner in keeping our productions running smoothly. His dedication, technical know-how, and willingness to go above and beyond have made my job easier and more enjoyable. I truly appreciate the teamwork and mutual respect we share. I am also grateful to my boss, John Ricca. John’s support, guidance, and trust were instrumental in the station’s transformation. He gives me the freedom to be creative while providing steady leadership that ensures our projects align with the city’s mission. Without his vision, the Clifton Cable Channel wouldn’t be what it is today.
Our station’s operations run on TelVue products across the board — from live broadcasts to pre-recorded programming. TelVue’s reliability and versatility have helped us streamline production and improve our broadcast quality, making it easier to deliver timely, polished content to our viewers.
In 2024, I was recognized by the Jersey Access Group (JAG) with their Multiple Camera Concert Award of Excellence for our coverage of Super Trans Am 2023. This recognition meant a great deal to me, not only because it validated the hard work we put into that production, but also because it came from an organization that does so much to support public-access stations like ours. JAG provides invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development for its members. I am proud to be part of that community.
As I look to the future, my focus remains on growth. The Clifton Cable Channel has come a long way since 2020, but in many ways, our journey is just beginning. Thanks to the support of the City of Clifton, my colleagues, and organizations like JAG, the possibilities are brighter than ever. We keep building, keep improving, and keep telling the stories of our community—one broadcast at a time. We are focused not just in improving technology and production values, but also in how the Clifton Cable Channel connects with its audience. Our programming continues to inform, inspire, and reflect our city’s diversity. With continued investment in our team, equipment, and creative vision, I’m confident that we will keep raising the bar for local broadcasting.
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Spotlight: Clifton Cable Channel – Raising the Bar for Local Broadcasting: Clifton Cable Channel’s Journey of Growth and Creativity
Posted: August 29, 2025 by Doug Seidel
by Mike Solomon, Station Manager, Clifton Cable Channel
When the world shut down in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis, many people found themselves searching for ways to help their communities. For me, that journey began as a volunteer at the City of Clifton’s public-access television station (Clifton Cable Channel). At the time, I simply wanted to lend my skills to help keep residents informed during an unprecedented period of uncertainty. What I didn’t know then was that this volunteer effort would become a career I now deeply love.
The City of Clifton recognized my contributions early on. In 2021, the city created a part-time position for me so I could continue to improve the station’s programming. A year later, in 2022, I was offered the role of Station Manager—an honor that came with both responsibility and opportunity. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to enhancing the technical quality, cinematic value, and community relevance of all our productions.
From the start, my goal has been to elevate the way our city meetings (including council, zoning, and planning board sessions) are presented to the public. These meetings are essential to transparency and civic engagement, and I believe they should be captured with clarity, professionalism, and production values that keep viewers engaged. The same philosophy applies to supplementary programming, from concerts and parades to cultural festivals and community fairs.
A major part of this improvement has been modernizing our equipment. When I began, the station relied on basic consumer-grade “soccer mom” handheld camcorders. Since then, I’ve led a complete upgrade to professional-level tools, including the latest Sony DSLR cameras and studio production cameras for in-studio work. These advancements have allowed us to produce programming with crisp visuals, rich color, and a more cinematic feel—raising the standard for what local public-access television can be.
Behind every success story is a strong team, and I am grateful to have one of the best.
My assistant station manager, Anthony Bartlett, has been an invaluable partner in keeping our productions running smoothly. His dedication, technical know-how, and willingness to go above and beyond have made my job easier and more enjoyable. I truly appreciate the teamwork and mutual respect we share. I am also grateful to my boss, John Ricca. John’s support, guidance, and trust were instrumental in the station’s transformation. He gives me the freedom to be creative while providing steady leadership that ensures our projects align with the city’s mission. Without his vision, the Clifton Cable Channel wouldn’t be what it is today.
Our station’s operations run on TelVue products across the board — from live broadcasts to pre-recorded programming. TelVue’s reliability and versatility have helped us streamline production and improve our broadcast quality, making it easier to deliver timely, polished content to our viewers.
In 2024, I was recognized by the Jersey Access Group (JAG) with their Multiple Camera Concert Award of Excellence for our coverage of Super Trans Am 2023. This recognition meant a great deal to me, not only because it validated the hard work we put into that production, but also because it came from an organization that does so much to support public-access stations like ours. JAG provides invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development for its members. I am proud to be part of that community.
As I look to the future, my focus remains on growth. The Clifton Cable Channel has come a long way since 2020, but in many ways, our journey is just beginning. Thanks to the support of the City of Clifton, my colleagues, and organizations like JAG, the possibilities are brighter than ever. We keep building, keep improving, and keep telling the stories of our community—one broadcast at a time. We are focused not just in improving technology and production values, but also in how the Clifton Cable Channel connects with its audience. Our programming continues to inform, inspire, and reflect our city’s diversity. With continued investment in our team, equipment, and creative vision, I’m confident that we will keep raising the bar for local broadcasting.
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