by Mary Granahan, Television Production Director, Ocean County College
I’m Mary Granahan, Director of Television Production, and I’m excited to introduce you to Ocean TV-20, a full-service production studio and 24-hour station operated by Ocean County College. Our full HD studio also functions as an immersive training ground for the next generation of media professionals. So, our operations are a bit different than more traditional PEG operations.
Ocean TV-20 serves Ocean County with a variety of programming, including world news, culture, local stories, live campus events and original programming. For example, our show Shore of Support highlights organizations that enhance the lives of our community through charitable efforts. As a teaching studio, we offer students real-world experience by providing opportunities for them to participate in all aspects of production, from writing and producing to operating equipment and even directing.
Students at Ocean County College have access to our production facilities which include a recently upgraded LED lighting system, 4K cameras, and three working sets: a photo/video backdrop, a news set with removable backgrounds and large monitor, and a recently donated lifestyle set complete with recessed lighting, stonelike walls and monitors. This generous donation elevates our overall space while offering more variety to our students. Our facilities are also available to rent for public use.
In addition to running our studio and station, I’m also the advisor to the Viking Video Club, a welcoming space for students to enhance their creativity, knowledge, and industry experience outside of the classroom. Our members include students and alumni with all levels of experience and areas of study, including those outside of our Digital Mass Media Program. The club meets regularly to work on short films and passion projects, and to share ideas and feedback. Under my leadership, membership has grown tremendously.
A contributing factor to this growth is the very popular Industry Professional Workshop Series. Film, television, and media professionals provide valuable insights and learning opportunities for our students. Past workshops have covered producing, directing, screenwriting, special effects makeup, news reporting, filmmaking and much more. Through my industry connections, I have been able to bring in professionals and alumni with impressive résumés – including those who have worked on productions for Bravo, HBO, NBC Sports, The Olympics, Only Murders in the Building, The Florida Project—as well as professors from the NY Film Academy, Rutgers, Rowan and Rider Universities.
These workshops guide students as they produce their own projects (showcased at a short film screening last year). Many of our industry professionals returned to campus to support the Viking Video Club and their creative work.
An important lesson I emphasize is the power of networking. Through past connections, I secured an on-campus location for a feature film. And, even more exciting, several of our students got to work on the production. Opportunities like this are what make our program unique and truly career focused.
Staying current with rapidly evolving industry technology is a challenge we face as a teaching studio. Thanks to recent investments and generous donations, our studio has undergone significant upgrades:
We’ve transitioned our broadcast signal from SD to HD on Verizon, giving our content a cleaner, more professional look.
Our lighting has been completely overhauled with state-of-the-art LED fixtures, providing safety and energy efficiency.
We received a professionally designed studio set valued at over $100,000, donated by an industry contact after only one year of use.
Coming soon, we’re launching a brand-new streaming app, making our content more accessible than ever before.
None of this would be possible without support from the Ocean County College Board of Trustees, President Pamela Monaco, Executive Director of College Relations Jan Kirsten, and the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
At its core, Ocean TV-20 and OCC equip students with the tools, training, and confidence to succeed in the media industry. Whether a student dreams of working in film, television, digital media, or live production, our station serves as a launchpad for developing real skills in a real-world environment.
We’re proud of what we’ve built, and even more excited about where we’re going. To learn more about our facilities and programming, visit ocean.edu.
Spotlight: Ocean County College Supports Television Production
Posted: October 22, 2025 by Doug Seidel
by Mary Granahan, Television Production Director, Ocean County College
I’m Mary Granahan, Director of Television Production, and I’m excited to introduce you to Ocean TV-20, a full-service production studio and 24-hour station operated by Ocean County College. Our full HD studio also functions as an immersive training ground for the next generation of media professionals. So, our operations are a bit different than more traditional PEG operations.
Ocean TV-20 serves Ocean County with a variety of programming, including world news, culture, local stories, live campus events and original programming. For example, our show Shore of Support highlights organizations that enhance the lives of our community through charitable efforts. As a teaching studio, we offer students real-world experience by providing opportunities for them to participate in all aspects of production, from writing and producing to operating equipment and even directing.
Students at Ocean County College have access to our production facilities which include a recently upgraded LED lighting system, 4K cameras, and three working sets: a photo/video backdrop, a news set with removable backgrounds and large monitor, and a recently donated lifestyle set complete with recessed lighting, stonelike walls and monitors. This generous donation elevates our overall space while offering more variety to our students. Our facilities are also available to rent for public use.
In addition to running our studio and station, I’m also the advisor to the Viking Video Club, a welcoming space for students to enhance their creativity, knowledge, and industry experience outside of the classroom. Our members include students and alumni with all levels of experience and areas of study, including those outside of our Digital Mass Media Program. The club meets regularly to work on short films and passion projects, and to share ideas and feedback. Under my leadership, membership has grown tremendously.
A contributing factor to this growth is the very popular Industry Professional Workshop Series. Film, television, and media professionals provide valuable insights and learning opportunities for our students. Past workshops have covered producing, directing, screenwriting, special effects makeup, news reporting, filmmaking and much more. Through my industry connections, I have been able to bring in professionals and alumni with impressive résumés – including those who have worked on productions for Bravo, HBO, NBC Sports, The Olympics, Only Murders in the Building, The Florida Project—as well as professors from the NY Film Academy, Rutgers, Rowan and Rider Universities.
These workshops guide students as they produce their own projects (showcased at a short film screening last year). Many of our industry professionals returned to campus to support the Viking Video Club and their creative work.
An important lesson I emphasize is the power of networking. Through past connections, I secured an on-campus location for a feature film. And, even more exciting, several of our students got to work on the production. Opportunities like this are what make our program unique and truly career focused.
Staying current with rapidly evolving industry technology is a challenge we face as a teaching studio. Thanks to recent investments and generous donations, our studio has undergone significant upgrades:
None of this would be possible without support from the Ocean County College Board of Trustees, President Pamela Monaco, Executive Director of College Relations Jan Kirsten, and the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
At its core, Ocean TV-20 and OCC equip students with the tools, training, and confidence to succeed in the media industry. Whether a student dreams of working in film, television, digital media, or live production, our station serves as a launchpad for developing real skills in a real-world environment.
We’re proud of what we’ve built, and even more excited about where we’re going. To learn more about our facilities and programming, visit ocean.edu.
Share this:
Like this:
Category: Latest JAG News, Member Spotlight