JAG held another session at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference this past November. I was lucky enough to do this session with Geoffrey Belinfante. Our goal was to illustrate the different emerging trends and communication tools to effectively engage residents beyond a traditional access channel.
In our presentation, we spoke about the following:
• Social Media Video Trends
• Social Media Video Statistics
• Cord Cutters
• Power of Video Samples
• Local Franchises and Statewide Franchises
• Benefits of a Local Cable Channel for Municipalities
I am going to go through a few of these with you now, but I urge you to watch the video which will be linked at the end of this article to see all the topics we discussed, the video samples and the questions from folks just like you.
Micro-Videos
One of the latest and fastest growing trends is known as “Micro-Videos”: the rise of short video content and the platforms that cater to it (namely TikTok and Instagram Reels). With our lives becoming increasingly more fast paced like the world around us, viewer attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, and the need for short, “snackable” content is getting bigger and bigger. Because of this viewer viewing trend, we also need to think of ways to create video content that works well on TikTok and Instagram Reels. TikTok was the most downloaded app in 2020 and 2021 and currently has 1 billion monthly active users. According to a recent GenZ TikTok users survey, Instagram Reels is essentially interchangeable. 87% of them agreed with the statement “Instagram Reels is basically the same as TikTok”. Plus, Reels receives 22% more engagement than regular video content. 2023 is the year for stations to start leveraging the power of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and easy-to-consume micro-videos in your video marketing strategy. I am giving this much thought and plan on producing these short videos throughout the new year in 2023.
Vlogging!
The vlog industry has been growing rapidly and will likely only continue to explode in 2023. According to research, over 44% of Internet users watch vlogs every single month. Vlogging is just continued proof of what marketers have known for years — storytelling is the best way to connect with your audience. Through vlogging, you have the opportunity to position yourself (the creator, the brand, etc.) as the main character of your story, allowing your followers to connect and engage in a more personal way. From a marketing point of view, this form of video is absolutely necessary if you want to maximize your success in 2023. I believe this format does need some strategy and plan to make it a success, along with scheduled releases.
Live videos are still proving the way to go.
During the pandemic, live videos skyrocketed in popularity with a lack of face-to-face interactions. Live video became essential for hosting events and connecting with people in a time when our worlds became smaller than ever. Even as we’ve begun to return to a more connected way of life the demand for live video content is only growing. Users engage at a higher rate when the video content is live.
It can be even more effective if you announce your livestream beforehand and use your live video to make a big announcement or reveal. We already began to master the art of going live, now it’s time to take it to the next level as a marketing tool.
Social Media Statistics.
In a recent report, Cisco reported that video would account for 82% of all online traffic by 2022. Users engage at a higher rate when the video content is live. On Facebook, statistics show that viewers will watch live videos for 3x longer than pre-recorded videos. The average length of Facebook’s top 100 videos is 3 minutes and 23 seconds (Newswhip, 2020). 52% of American adults use Facebook to discover the latest news. (Forbes)
Here is an interesting fact for all of us video purists, users also like square videos – they are watched 35% more frequently than landscape ones. But vertical videos are loved with 6-9 times more engagement than square videos. They also get 13.8% more visibility. I’m still shaking after reading those statistics. So how do we take advantage of that? Sometimes the answer is in the promotion of an event….Going live on FB with a square or vertical video showing you setting up for an upcoming event, and even including a link in the post that will take viewers to your full live coverage later that can be in a glorious, 16:9 full HD format!
What about the cord cutters?
We all know our priority is cable, the reason we have a channel. But viewing habits continue to change and we need to satisfy all. In a CNN article in August 2022 the headline was: The Cord Has Been Cut. Streaming is more watched than cable. For the first time ever, Americans are watching more streaming TV than cable, according to a report from Nielsen. The milestone has long been expected as viewers change their viewing habits and ditch their pricey cable bundles for cheaper alternatives. In July, streaming amounted to 34.8% in the share of total TV consumption, a growth of nearly 23% within the past year. Cable and broadcast viewership both dropped year over year, with the former amounting to 34.4% and the latter making up just 21.6%. Both fell around 10% compared to July 2021. I will add in my personal point on that one stat, there is now football (Pro or College) in July. Cable sees a spike in viewing during football season. So how do we keep up with cord cutters? The good news is that Municipal Access Channels are now appearing on ROKU, Apple TV, Amazon Fire and other platforms as well. (see my Wish List article for more thoughts on this).
I hope this article gives you pause to think about the various trends and ways to reach out to your community, get your message out there and broaden your reach beyond the cable channel. The session was videotaped and will be available soon.
Last month JAG, the Jersey Access Group, had the distinct pleasure of presenting a special joint session with the League of Municipalities at their annual conference. It was on the Broadband Grants and Funding opportunities that was created from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which was approved last year by the federal government.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Congress has approved $65 billion dollars to improve broadband deployment and adoption throughout the United States. This funding will flow from the Federal Government to the states for distribution. Our session helped communities to fully understand where that money is currently and how they will apply for it once it arrives.
Our panelists of experts included: Valarry Bullard, Broadband Advisor to Governor Murphy; India P. Still, Deputy Executive Director Administration – Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority; Joseph Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access – NJ BPU; Ken Fellman – Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.; Robert Boyle, CEO Planet Networks; Mayor Brian Wahler of Piscataway Township, and Bob Duthaler, President of JAG.
They all shared their wisdom on this subject by explaining what was happening, what this money should be used for, and how they may contribute in order to be in the discussions about acquiring a part of this money for their own town’s broadband needs.
BPU Broadband Assessment Survey
One of best ways to try and obtain your share of this money was brought up by Joseph Rivera of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Mr. Rivera mentioned that there is a survey going on right now to determine how the grants will be divided among our 564 municipalities as part of New Jersey’s Broadband Assessment Project. The most notable part of this survey is that it needs participation from every citizen in every community.
What this money is supposed to do is help the unserved, underserved and community anchor institutions in order of to achieve statewide, 100% access to high speed internet service. This includes senior citizens and those living in poverty. So there is a great need to find out who and where these residents reside.
Please click on the link https://broadband-nj.com to participate in this survey. Every voice is needed to help decide how the money will be distributed.
FCC National Broadband Mapping
Ken Feldman explained the new FCC National Broadband Mapping that was coming out in a few days. This map details the level of broadband service available across the country. Visit https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home and you will have the ability to drill down to your specific home. Everyone should examine your specific location for accuracy and if you find the information to be incorrect you can challenge its accuracy. For more details about this map, please read the article below from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel about this undertaking.
Watch or review the broadband session that was presented at the 2022 League of Municipalities conference.
Following the Money: Accessing Broadband Funding
The information that was talked about was very valuable, especially to those municipalities who have been forced to contend with broadband issues. The pandemic exposed all of us to the crucial need for broadband with high speed internet. This session explained in simple terms what you and your citizens must do in order to be in the running to get a share of these amazing grants.
The New Broadband Maps Are Finally Here
November 18, 2022
By Jessica Rosenworcel | Chairwoman
Today, the FCC is unveiling the pre-production draft of its new broadband maps. These maps provide the best picture available to date of where broadband is and is not available across the country, and the maps will only get better from here. Here are the most important things to know about today’s maps:
Broadband consumers are empowered like never before. Maps that show the availability of high-speed Internet service are nothing new. The problem is that the FCC’s maps had previously relied on information that failed to paint the whole picture of who did and who did not have the internet. The FCC’s older maps collected data at the census block level, meaning that if a single home was served in a census block, the whole block would show up as served on our maps. The net result was maps that were overly optimistic, lacked location-specific information, and subsequently glossed over gaps in coverage. With these new maps, the FCC has integrated the information from broadband providers with hundreds of location-specific data sources, giving us a far more detailed and accurate picture of fixed broadband availability.
These improved maps will mean direct benefits for consumers. Users now have a one-stop-shop to search for their address and find information about which internet service providers claim to offer service at the location, the broadband technologies they offer, and the maximum download and upload speeds they advertise for each technology. This greater transparency will create market pressures on internet providers to improve their coverage. The new maps will also help policymakers more accurately target investments to expand broadband to unserved and underserved areas and close the digital divide.
This is a beginning, not an endpoint, for the new era of broadband maps. While today marks an important milestone in the effort to create more granular and accurate broadband maps, this work is far from over. To emphasize how much more work needs to be done, we are calling the product we unveil today a pre-production draft. Releasing this early version of the new maps is intended to kickstart an ongoing, iterative process where we are consistently adding new data to improve and refine the maps.
The long-term success of this effort will depend on consumer and stakeholder engagement. To ensure that the maps are constantly improving, we have set up a system that allows consumers and others to challenge inaccuracies and provide feedback. Individuals who see that the information on the maps does not match up with what they know from their lived experience will be able to submit challenges, or request corrections, directly through the map interface. We will also accept bulk challenges to the reported availability data from state, Tribal, and local governments and other stakeholders who see problems we need to correct in multiple locations. We strongly encourage these parties to partner with us and share their input through the challenge process so we may continue to improve our maps. This crowdsourcing activity is an important part of getting the information we have right.
The last thing I would note about the release of today’s maps is that they are the product of a lot of hard work, especially by public servants at the FCC. I want to thank the Broadband Data Task Force and the many, many dedicated staff throughout the Commission who have helped us get to this point. Thanks also to the Congressional leaders who spearheaded the Broadband DATA Act, which was the driving force behind today’s release.
This effort is a big improvement over the old system that simply stated if service was available on the basis of a single subscriber in a census block. But we have work to do to refine this information and make sure it is accurate and up to date. Let’s get to it.
—Jessica
Calls To Action
1) Look closely at these maps to check their accuracy and to see how each of your towns measure up
2) Make sure that you and your residents fill out the BPU’s survey. Please remember, everyone can be a great spokesperson for their own municipality!
This is the second year I attended the New Jersey State League of Municipalities convention. It is also the second time I have had the honor to speak on the JAG panel on a topic that I am so passionate about and have dedicated the last 29 years of my life to making it a reality with Planet Networks – fast, reliable, and affordable Internet access for all – especially those in chronically underserved areas.
The rock stars I had the honor to share the stage with are equally passionate about the cause of better broadband for all. Thank you to: Valarry C. Bullard (Transparency Officer | Broadband Advisor – NJ Office of the Governor), Joe Rivera (Manager of Broadband Access NJ BPU), India Still (Deputy Executive Director Administration and Finance Atlantic City MUA), Bob Duthaler (President Jersey Access Group), Ken Fellman (President at Kissinger & Fellman, P.C.), & Brian Wahler (Piscataway Township, Mayor).
It was not an accident that the very first residential building Planet Networks lit up with fiber Internet was a 101-unit apartment building where the majority of the units were rent-subsidized. We were also one of the first companies to sign up for the federal government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit during the pandemic. This initiative turned into the Affordable Connectivity Program which we have supported and accepted since day one. Providing ubiquitous and affordable Internet is a universal problem that will require all of us to work together toward equity and justice from NJ’s most rural farm roads to our urban centers. Far too many still lack access to anything resembling reliable Internet service. Private investments, like those Planet Networks is making with the addition of the federal funds available, when spent wisely can ensure access for all. If you live in NJ and haven’t already taken it, please take the NJ broadband assessment: https://broadband-nj.com.
The Holiday Season is underway, starting with Thanksgiving and ending with the New Year just a few weeks away. Every year at my house, the kids get ready to celebrate Christmas and they (ok, me too!) start working on their Christmas List! The same can be said for running your station or JAG as an organization.
What would be on your list this year for your station?
I hope you picked up some ideas from the many vendors who attended our in-person trade show back in May or from the many vendor presentations at our monthly meetings. There is no wrong answer in this situation. Each station operates differently from others across the state and vary greatly. But each has the same core principle, to inform their community in which they serve. When you make your wish list, keep in mind your community, their needs and how as a station you can serve them. The goal is always to enhance what we are currently doing.
It’s no secret that I am a tech head! I love new and exciting things that come along that can help our industry and make our lives easier. I love to play around with these items, demo them, beta test and give valuable feedback on how they would fit in with my station operations and how to best serve my community. With that in mind, I am going to share with you some items that are on my wish list for this holiday season based on what I am doing at stations I am involved with. Perhaps these will give you some ideas, encourage you to review your station’s needs and give you direction for the future.
Enhanced Live Broadcast –
Live broadcasts are on top of the list again this year. We are working on ways to not only increase the number of live broadcasts we are doing but the quality as well. We are capable of going live from anywhere, thanks in no small part to using LiveU units, Tricaster and TelVue systems. We do remote location meetings live (BOE with LiveU) and Council, Zoning and Planning via fiber connection and ethernet connections. Streaming them live on-air, our website, the township website and Facebook is a must. Our goal now is to increase the quality of those broadcasts by using NDI Technology, creative graphics and enhanced production techniques with our new production switcher as well. We are even bringing in Zoom for hybrid meetings or next level all Zoom.
OTT and The Cord Cutters –
Cable remains at the heart of our operation and broadcast source, but we continue to realize it’s not the only way. Evidence continues to mount, and more so in 2022, that people are watching video on many different sources. Tuning in at 8pm to watch a particular program doesn’t always mean on cable. As discussed above, it can be on streaming on websites or on social media platforms. Now it includes stations having their own OTT channel on Apple TV, ROKU or even Amazon Fire. Cord cutters can watch our channels in a linear format just like cable. Stations have found other sources to stream their channel on other apps as well. Vendors like Rushworks, Telvue and Cablecast have solutions for your needs. Our lives continue to be busier now than they were years ago, running in different directions with children’s activities, volunteering, exercise and more. We are an “on-demand” society, wanting to consume video when we want, and how we want. Therefore, it is important to establish an online presence on social media, the web and Over-The-Top (OTT) devices like ROKU, Apple TV, Fire Stick and others.
Build A Better Bulletin Board –
This is how many stations started, and for some, their Bulletin Board may account for most of their programming. But long gone are the days of running a basic text program or Power Point slide show. Vendors like Cablecast and Telvue have creative solutions for bringing your bulletin boards to the next level. You need to create content on your bulletin board system that is both informational and creative. The use of video and motions graphics are the way to do that. In addition, running short informational videos (under 2mins), PSAs, and station programming promos take your bulletin boards to the next level. But don’t stop there! Look for other add-ons to make your channel a destination even when the bulletin board is airing. Adding in motion graphics like weather, news tickers, trivia, top 10 lists, and more add new life to your bulletin board system. Finally, don’t forget the music. As recently discussed at our last meeting, companies like de Wolfe have large music libraries at an affordable price to give you the opportunity to create your own music playlist that you can use during bulletin board playout. Plus, changing playlists during the year and even adding in a holiday music playlist allows your channel to even play as background entertainment.
Next Level Stations –
Not all stations will ever reach this status, but even if there is a chance yours could, you should make yourself aware of them. Several JAG stations are using additional production enhancements like mobile productions units. This allows stations to show up anywhere to cover a sporting event, concert, or parade. These can be box trucks or trailers. Some others start smaller with a fly pack and tent for protection. These are more on the expensive side, but something to think about for capital requests or franchise renewal requests. How about updates to your studio or even just creating a new studio. Both JVC with various camera and PTZs, along with DeSisti Lighting can give your studio the upgrade it needs or the equipment to even create a new one. JAG has many vendors that can be used as resources like Varto Technologies and G&G Technology to help evaluate your needs, supply various equipment and even do installations.
Top Notch Broadcasts –
Now is the time to start concentrating and preparing for next level broadcasting. For PEG stations this means HD on cable along with incorporating closed captioning in your programming. As we have discussed throughout the year at JAG meetings, if you have a channel that falls under the state-wide system franchise, then you have the right to an HD Channel. I urge you to find out about your franchises and what you are entitled to. Not under a system-wide franchise, only a local agreement? Well stations are now negotiating for a HD Channel in their new franchises and some stations have even begun talks with cable providers prior to renewal. Just like anything in life, you never know where you stand unless you ask for it. As I mentioned above, the move to having a channel with closed captioning is coming sooner than later. Explore the many vendors out there who you may be using already to learn about their closed caption solutions. Companies like Municipal Captioning can help steer you through the different options available.
Let these ideas I discussed be the start of your discussion at your station
Plan your township’s next steps in getting what you want. Some of you may want the same thing, some may want something different and others may just be trying to find solutions within their budget. It does not matter what path you take next; the important thing is to have a plan in mind, use the resources that both JAG Members and Vendors can give you, and do your best to get that information out to your viewers and engage them. Through this process you will find out that your holiday wishes can come true! I wish your station, your family and yourself all the best for this upcoming Holiday Season and New Year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you might have, as I am always willing to share my thoughts and experiences: bduthaler@jagonline.org .
JAG and the NJ League of Municipalities present a joint session that explains how to access broadband funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Last year the Federal Government approved $65B to improve broadband deployment and adoption. This funding will flow to states for distribution. During this session, our expert panel discusses how municipalities can apply for grants and use funds at the local level. The panel is hosted by Mayor Brian Wahler of Piscataway Township. Other panelists include Valarry Bullard, Broadband Advisor to Governor Murphy; Joseph Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access – NJ BPU; Ken Fellman, Esq. Of Counsel, Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P.C.; Robert Boyle, CEO Planet Networks; and Bob Duthaler, JAG President.
By Joel Feinberg, Chief Executive Officer, de Wolfe Music USA Inc.
De Wolfe Music was founded in 1909 by Meyer de Wolfe. Now at 113 years old, we are a full-service music company offering a production music library, custom composition, sound effects, and commercial music clearance services. Although the company is still independent and family-run, de Wolfe has achieved worldwide recognition and our music can be heard in countless films, TV shows, advertisements, and more.
The main attraction is our production music library, which contains a broad collection of over 100,000 tracks. Instead of aggregating existing recordings by random composers, de Wolfe works with a close-knit circle of full-time composers and is directly involved from composition to recording, mixing and mastering. Both sides of our music (composition and master) are 100% owned and pre-cleared for licensing. By maintaining exclusive control of our compositions and master recordings, we make the licensing process 1-stop, quick and easy.
We release 40-50 new albums every year, guaranteeing a fresh, contemporary sound within a multitude of genres. We strive to stay on top of the hottest music trends and those that would lend themselves perfectly for synchronization. Our in-house music specialists are available to provide music search assistance with lightning-fast results.
Our Labels
DE WOLFE MUSIC Creative and musically diverse, the production music label that started it all, covering most musical genres, with over 600 albums and tens of thousands of tracks.
SOLID STATE MUSIC Tracks ideal for rock, sports, news and business all with a North American focus.
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA De Wolfe is proud to be working with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and releasing their recordings of the world’s greatest classical music.
DE WOLFE JAZZ A unique collection of the very best jazz available for licensing. From ragtime to jazz hop, and everything in between
COMMERCIAL BREAKS Made-to-measure music that’s ideal for radio ads, jingles and voice-overs, all cut to handy 60, 30 and 15 second lengths.
DE WOLFE VINYL Our LP – back-catalog lovingly remastered. Old favorites, cult classics and music hard to find anywhere else
20TH CENTURY ARCHIVE A special collection of our authentic vintage recordings remastered from our prized vaults. Each album focuses on a particular era. Perfect for time period productions.
SYLVESTER MUSIC LIBRARY Recorded between 1960 and 1974, the albums on Sylvester cover everything from avantgarde and music concrete, to French jazz and easy listening.
HUDSON MUSIC The little production music library that’s a lot different. Hudson offers tracks that are quirky, fun and diverse: from easy listening and lounge to styles and musical clichés.
ROUGE Rouge catalog showcases our commercial composers at their best. The specialty series ‘The History of Jazz’ features some of the outstanding musicians on the jazz scene.
ROUGE VINYL The Rouge Music Library was created in the 1970s and includes a wealth of Disco, Sports, Jazz and Drama. All of these LP’s are now available re-mastered.
SYNCTRACKS Synctracks covers a broad range of popular styles and genres as well as some experimental tracks for those who consider themselves adventurous.
BITE HARD Bridges the gap between commercial music and the ease of licensing of production music. Bite Hard brings authenticity and commercial production values to promos, trailers, TV shows and movies.
Music Licensing
We offer a wide array of music licensing options which can be tailored to the needs of any single or series of productions.
Needle Drop: per use within a single production
Production Blanket: unlimited use within a single production
Series Blanket: unlimited usage throughout a series of related productions
Theme Use: unlimited use of one (1) track for a period of one (1) year
Annual Subscription: unlimited use of a portion or the whole library for a period of 1, 2, or 3 years.
Pricing
Our licensing fees are calculated based upon the type of production, clearances required, territory, and term. Please contact us for a quote at team@dewolfemusic.com
To learn more, we will be speaking at JAG’s general meeting on December 7th at 12:12pm via Zoom.
By Monica Jackson, Station Manager, Highland Park Television
The broadcasting of video recordings of Highland Park, NJ public meetings by HPTV is an accepted fact in the Borough and a well-regarded public service. Yet it may surprise some observers to hear that the development of the channel was by no means simple or amply supported.
The Borough’s Cable TV Advisory Committee established HPTV in 1996, initially offering only a bulletin board scroll. Video telecasts of Borough Council meetings began the following year.
As Borough resident Gary Leslie , long-time HPTV station manager shared, the Mayor and Borough Council were initially hesitant to have their meetings televised. Yet they soon came to see the value of the broadcasts, both to improve transparency and for enhancing accessibility. The Highland Park Board of Education expressed reluctance as well to see their meetings televised, yet they too embraced the option years later.
As the channel grew, HPTV added other forms of programming such as broadcasts of other town meetings and special community events; a talk show led by a local senior citizen; a series of stories from the public library; the airing of public domain films, and more.
When HPTV began adding local content, the limited group of volunteers who ran the channel benefited from a partnership with the public high school that allowed HPTV to work with a video production class and share a TV studio in the school with them. The students helped develop some of the programming and the class teacher served as a member of the Cable TV Advisory Committee. Sadly, budget cuts led to the cancellation of the class and the closing of the TV studio.
HPTV has often operated with a shoestring budget and a skeleton crew of volunteers. The Borough was able to obtain grants from the cable provider during franchise renewal negotiations, and used these funds to purchase new equipment. In the last decade the channel established a presence on YouTube and Facebook, which has enabled it to further extend the reach of the programming. Our next big step will be to stream our borough council meetings live to Highland Park residents beginning with our November meetings.
In 2019, Gary Leslie decided to take a much deserved retirement from his time-intensive involvement in HPTV. He has remained an active cheerleader, and helpful advisor for the station. Gary’s leadership has given us the foundation from which we operate today.
Monica Jackson, communications coordinator of the Borough, assumed responsibility for the channel and has overseen programming ever since. She, like Gary, finds it quite challenging to enlist volunteers to help create content for the channel. We are always looking for new ways to recruit volunteers and we would welcome any suggestions as to how to find and keep new people.
HPTV is currently aired on Verizon Fios channel 44 and on Optimum channel 15. The channel offers recordings of local government meetings (Mayor & Borough Council, Zoning Board, Planning Board, and Board of Education), programs produced by other sources (public access stations, public domain programming, etc.), bulletin board listings of upcoming events, and (when available) locally produced interviews and recordings of public events. We depend on the JAG cloud-based server to supplement the programs we produce locally. These programs help make the channel more interesting to our residents.
For more information on HPTV, please contact Monica Jackson at mjackson@hpboro.com.
Running an effective and efficient station can be a challenging job. The degree of difficulty also changes depending upon your ability to spend time at your station. Some stations have the luxury of a paid station manager who oversees the operation on a daily basis. Others must rely on volunteers or boards to operate them successfully. Some are even a combination of both. However it is that your station is staffed, you need tools to help you successfully operate. JAG understand this. With this in mind, JAG is announcing our Manager’s Roundtable Discussions for 2023. These are special virtual meetings designed specifically for those who are involved in the oversight and operation of the PEG channel.
Thursday, January 12th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “Sponsorship Opportunities for your Station”. Learn from those who are currently doing or have done this, what is involved and for what you need to prepare yourself. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences and ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, March 9th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “In Studio Productions”. Do you have a studio space or are looking to create a studio space? Learn how stations are utilizing space to create a studio, quality content and more. We will discuss all different sizes of studios from a small insert to a larger multi-set space. Find out about shows created, set designs and equipment used. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences or ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, June 8th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “Field Productions: Multi-Camera Productions both Live and Live to Tape”. How are stations covering larger events that require multiple cameras, including live switching, live streaming or live to tape coverage. We will discuss production vehicles, fly packs, portable switchers and the latest in live streaming. Come prepared to discuss your needs, budgets and capabilities. Learn from those doing it currently and hear from those who want to take the next step. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences or ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, September 14th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “Sports Coverage”. From single camera shoots to multi-camera shoots with live switching and cameras that can stream, add graphics and more. We will discuss having play-by-play announcers to take your coverage to the next level and how you can create a big budget feel with a small crew or even single camera coverage. Hear from stations currently covering sporting events and listen to those who want to take the next step. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences or ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, November 9th at 2pm: Topic To Be Announced. Do you have a specific topic you would like to discuss? Please reach out to JAG President Bob Duthaler and discuss your ideas on topics you would like to discuss. Contact information: bduthaler@jagonline.org
Make the most of your station’s ability to create quality content and run efficiently and effectively by participating in the JAG Manager’s Round Table Discussions. Currently the plan is to hold these sessions virtually. If possible, there might be the ability to hold these in a hybrid format at a station’s location and online. Please mark your calendar now for these must attend events in 2023.
Since March 2000, JAG (Jersey Access Group) members have raised awareness of communication issues that have an impact on the interests of local government. JAG has created initiatives that ensure the voices of local officials and citizens continue to be communicated effectively.
JAG Is an NJLM Affiliate
In 2013, JAG became an affiliate organization of the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM). This allowed us to provide support to New Jersey municipalities in all areas of communications. We distribute information to more then 560 mayors and 13,000 elected and appointed officials who are League members. Each year at the League’s annual conference JAG presents sessions on communications issues that impact every municipality. These panels have spanned many communication issues and contain vital and informative facts that help New Jersey municipalities face communications challenges.
Meet the JAG Team at the NJLM Conference.
This year, JAG is preparing two new sessions that address potential funding for broadband and improving citizen engagement:
Following the Money: Accessing Broadband Funding (Wednesday, November 16, 10:45AM-12:00PM in Room 413 of the Atlantic City Convention Center). JAG and the NJ League of Municipalities present a joint session that explains how to access broadband funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Last year the Federal Government approved $65B to improve broadband deployment and adoption. This funding will flow to states for distribution. During this session, our expert panel discusses how municipalities can apply for grants and use funds at the local level. The panel is hosted by Mayor Brian Wahler, Piscataway Township with a keynote delivered by Lieutenant Governor Shelia Oliver. Other panelists include Valarry Bullard, Broadband Advisor to Governor Murphy; Joseph Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access – NJ BPU; Ken Fellman, Esq. Of Counsel, Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P.C.; Robert Boyle, CEO Planet Networks; and Bob Duthaler, JAG President.
Beyond Cable: New Ways to Communicate with Your Citizens (Thursday, November 17, 10:45AM -12:00PM in Room 413 of the Atlantic City Convention Center). This session discusses the different media and strategies that municipalities can use to communicate with their citizens. Our panel of experts will delve into social media, over-the-top (OTT) options and platforms beyond Facebook and YouTube. Our panelists include JAG’s Executive Board members who utilize various media and platforms every day to amplify and share municipal information every day.
Find Out More About JAG
Stop by our The Jersey Access Group booth, #230, on the trade show floor. Talk to us about how our non-profit organization can help you develop the best strategy for communicating directly to your audience.
Long Battle over FCC nominee Gigi Sohn Prompts Action
On Friday, October 14th, JAG was among nearly 250 industry and public interest groups who wrote a letter to top Senate leaders calling for a vote on the nomination of Gigi Sohn to the FCC before Congress adjourns at the end of the year. The FCC needs a full commission as it begins to deliberate on vital decisions that will impact the American people and the economy.
Following the infrastructure legislation that Congress passed last year, the federal government will soon invest an unprecedented amount of funding in expanding internet access. The lack of action on the Sohn nomination, and not having a 5th FCC Commissioner in place, has constrained the efforts to restore open internet protections and close the digital divide.
During the last administration, the agency deregulated net neutrality protections and wiped-out decades-old rules that maintained media diversity throughout our country. This new legislation directs the FCC to develop rules in order to address the discrimination in internet access on the basis of income level or race.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
“Over Ms. Sohn’s 30 years of experience in telecommunications, broadband and
technology policy, she has shown a strong commitment to the First Amendment, and
proven to be a leader in promoting innovation, US jobs and a strong economy. She has
regularly worked with organizations representing diverse media interests and across the
aisle to ensure all voices and views are heard both as a consumer advocate and as a
government official. Her consistent and long held support of diversity in viewpoints in
media will serve all voices well and is why she is supported by both conservatives and
progressives. “
It was sent to Senators Charles Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Maria Cantwell and Roger Wicker.
For a full version of this important letter please go here
With the Powerball jackpot reaching almost 2 billion dollars, what a change to your life winning that money would make. I read somewhere that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning 249 times before winning the lottery. That is crazy! Realistically, you are better off taking the money you would spend on buying lottery tickets over the years and investing it. You would see a better return on your money over the years. Still, like me, most of us will still buy tickets for the big jackpot.
How about winning the big jackpot with your job, videos, and overall quality of your station? Is there a special lottery for that? It’s not a lottery, it’s JAG! Just by being a member of JAG you are already starting on the winning side. The valuable information the organization provides its members is priceless. The information the Jersey Access Group makes available to member stations, independent producers or non-profit organizations is geared to help these member groups operate more effectively.
Unlike the lottery, by being a member of JAG, the odds are in your favor that you get all the information needed to run a station, produce quality programs, or make your content available on different platforms. Organizations have many different avenues of learning at their disposal through a membership with JAG. From the special “members only” section on the organization’s website, to the special members only email list serve, shared programming server and much more. Each of these are designed to make the member’s experience welcoming and a powerful resource.
To steal a line from American Express, “Membership Has Its Privileges”, can apply to being part of JAG. Apart from the benefits I previously mentioned, it’s the interaction between the members that might be its most valuable trait. This is possible through the monthly meetings (which are beginning to take place in person and online), conferences, awards banquet, webinars, and manager’s round table discussions. You even have the option to reach out to the JAG Executive Board and ask that they come onsite to your location to visit your operation or even speak to your mayor, council, or board. JAG even created the ability for members to interact with leading manufacturers, PEG equipment & service providers, along with leading industry professionals. It is the personal touch that the organization provides that separates JAG from others and makes it so valuable for its members. One of the biggest strengths of the Jersey Access group is the availability for members to participate in the organization. Each member has the ability to take part and serve on numerous committees that help steer the organization. Members can also run for a position on the executive board. The more effort members take to be active in the organization the more rewards they reap from JAG. This increases your odds at being better at your job, producing quality content and running a more efficient station…and you do not have to be struck by lightning.
Posted: December 19, 2022 by bduthaler
Beyond Cable: New Ways To Communicate With Your Citizens
by Bob Duthaler, Executive Board, Chair
JAG held another session at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference this past November. I was lucky enough to do this session with Geoffrey Belinfante. Our goal was to illustrate the different emerging trends and communication tools to effectively engage residents beyond a traditional access channel.
In our presentation, we spoke about the following:
• Social Media Video Trends
• Social Media Video Statistics
• Cord Cutters
• Power of Video Samples
• Local Franchises and Statewide Franchises
• Benefits of a Local Cable Channel for Municipalities
I am going to go through a few of these with you now, but I urge you to watch the video which will be linked at the end of this article to see all the topics we discussed, the video samples and the questions from folks just like you.
Micro-Videos
One of the latest and fastest growing trends is known as “Micro-Videos”: the rise of short video content and the platforms that cater to it (namely TikTok and Instagram Reels). With our lives becoming increasingly more fast paced like the world around us, viewer attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, and the need for short, “snackable” content is getting bigger and bigger. Because of this viewer viewing trend, we also need to think of ways to create video content that works well on TikTok and Instagram Reels. TikTok was the most downloaded app in 2020 and 2021 and currently has 1 billion monthly active users. According to a recent GenZ TikTok users survey, Instagram Reels is essentially interchangeable. 87% of them agreed with the statement “Instagram Reels is basically the same as TikTok”. Plus, Reels receives 22% more engagement than regular video content. 2023 is the year for stations to start leveraging the power of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and easy-to-consume micro-videos in your video marketing strategy. I am giving this much thought and plan on producing these short videos throughout the new year in 2023.
Vlogging!
The vlog industry has been growing rapidly and will likely only continue to explode in 2023. According to research, over 44% of Internet users watch vlogs every single month. Vlogging is just continued proof of what marketers have known for years — storytelling is the best way to connect with your audience. Through vlogging, you have the opportunity to position yourself (the creator, the brand, etc.) as the main character of your story, allowing your followers to connect and engage in a more personal way. From a marketing point of view, this form of video is absolutely necessary if you want to maximize your success in 2023. I believe this format does need some strategy and plan to make it a success, along with scheduled releases.
Live videos are still proving the way to go.
During the pandemic, live videos skyrocketed in popularity with a lack of face-to-face interactions. Live video became essential for hosting events and connecting with people in a time when our worlds became smaller than ever. Even as we’ve begun to return to a more connected way of life the demand for live video content is only growing. Users engage at a higher rate when the video content is live.
It can be even more effective if you announce your livestream beforehand and use your live video to make a big announcement or reveal. We already began to master the art of going live, now it’s time to take it to the next level as a marketing tool.
Social Media Statistics.
In a recent report, Cisco reported that video would account for 82% of all online traffic by 2022. Users engage at a higher rate when the video content is live. On Facebook, statistics show that viewers will watch live videos for 3x longer than pre-recorded videos. The average length of Facebook’s top 100 videos is 3 minutes and 23 seconds (Newswhip, 2020). 52% of American adults use Facebook to discover the latest news. (Forbes)
Here is an interesting fact for all of us video purists, users also like square videos – they are watched 35% more frequently than landscape ones. But vertical videos are loved with 6-9 times more engagement than square videos. They also get 13.8% more visibility. I’m still shaking after reading those statistics. So how do we take advantage of that? Sometimes the answer is in the promotion of an event….Going live on FB with a square or vertical video showing you setting up for an upcoming event, and even including a link in the post that will take viewers to your full live coverage later that can be in a glorious, 16:9 full HD format!
What about the cord cutters?
We all know our priority is cable, the reason we have a channel. But viewing habits continue to change and we need to satisfy all. In a CNN article in August 2022 the headline was: The Cord Has Been Cut. Streaming is more watched than cable. For the first time ever, Americans are watching more streaming TV than cable, according to a report from Nielsen. The milestone has long been expected as viewers change their viewing habits and ditch their pricey cable bundles for cheaper alternatives. In July, streaming amounted to 34.8% in the share of total TV consumption, a growth of nearly 23% within the past year. Cable and broadcast viewership both dropped year over year, with the former amounting to 34.4% and the latter making up just 21.6%. Both fell around 10% compared to July 2021. I will add in my personal point on that one stat, there is now football (Pro or College) in July. Cable sees a spike in viewing during football season. So how do we keep up with cord cutters? The good news is that Municipal Access Channels are now appearing on ROKU, Apple TV, Amazon Fire and other platforms as well. (see my Wish List article for more thoughts on this).
I hope this article gives you pause to think about the various trends and ways to reach out to your community, get your message out there and broaden your reach beyond the cable channel. The session was videotaped and will be available soon.
Posted: December 19, 2022 by bduthaler
TWO “Calls To Action”
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
Last month JAG, the Jersey Access Group, had the distinct pleasure of presenting a special joint session with the League of Municipalities at their annual conference. It was on the Broadband Grants and Funding opportunities that was created from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which was approved last year by the federal government.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Congress has approved $65 billion dollars to improve broadband deployment and adoption throughout the United States. This funding will flow from the Federal Government to the states for distribution. Our session helped communities to fully understand where that money is currently and how they will apply for it once it arrives.
Our panelists of experts included: Valarry Bullard, Broadband Advisor to Governor Murphy; India P. Still, Deputy Executive Director Administration – Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority; Joseph Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access – NJ BPU; Ken Fellman – Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.; Robert Boyle, CEO Planet Networks; Mayor Brian Wahler of Piscataway Township, and Bob Duthaler, President of JAG.
They all shared their wisdom on this subject by explaining what was happening, what this money should be used for, and how they may contribute in order to be in the discussions about acquiring a part of this money for their own town’s broadband needs.
BPU Broadband Assessment Survey
One of best ways to try and obtain your share of this money was brought up by Joseph Rivera of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Mr. Rivera mentioned that there is a survey going on right now to determine how the grants will be divided among our 564 municipalities as part of New Jersey’s Broadband Assessment Project. The most notable part of this survey is that it needs participation from every citizen in every community.
What this money is supposed to do is help the unserved, underserved and community anchor institutions in order of to achieve statewide, 100% access to high speed internet service. This includes senior citizens and those living in poverty. So there is a great need to find out who and where these residents reside.
Please click on the link https://broadband-nj.com to participate in this survey. Every voice is needed to help decide how the money will be distributed.
FCC National Broadband Mapping
Ken Feldman explained the new FCC National Broadband Mapping that was coming out in a few days. This map details the level of broadband service available across the country. Visit https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home and you will have the ability to drill down to your specific home. Everyone should examine your specific location for accuracy and if you find the information to be incorrect you can challenge its accuracy. For more details about this map, please read the article below from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel about this undertaking.
Watch or review the broadband session that was presented at the 2022 League of Municipalities conference.
Following the Money: Accessing Broadband Funding
The information that was talked about was very valuable, especially to those municipalities who have been forced to contend with broadband issues. The pandemic exposed all of us to the crucial need for broadband with high speed internet. This session explained in simple terms what you and your citizens must do in order to be in the running to get a share of these amazing grants.
The New Broadband Maps Are Finally Here
November 18, 2022
By Jessica Rosenworcel | Chairwoman
Today, the FCC is unveiling the pre-production draft of its new broadband maps. These maps provide the best picture available to date of where broadband is and is not available across the country, and the maps will only get better from here. Here are the most important things to know about today’s maps:
Broadband consumers are empowered like never before. Maps that show the availability of high-speed Internet service are nothing new. The problem is that the FCC’s maps had previously relied on information that failed to paint the whole picture of who did and who did not have the internet. The FCC’s older maps collected data at the census block level, meaning that if a single home was served in a census block, the whole block would show up as served on our maps. The net result was maps that were overly optimistic, lacked location-specific information, and subsequently glossed over gaps in coverage. With these new maps, the FCC has integrated the information from broadband providers with hundreds of location-specific data sources, giving us a far more detailed and accurate picture of fixed broadband availability.
These improved maps will mean direct benefits for consumers. Users now have a one-stop-shop to search for their address and find information about which internet service providers claim to offer service at the location, the broadband technologies they offer, and the maximum download and upload speeds they advertise for each technology. This greater transparency will create market pressures on internet providers to improve their coverage. The new maps will also help policymakers more accurately target investments to expand broadband to unserved and underserved areas and close the digital divide.
This is a beginning, not an endpoint, for the new era of broadband maps. While today marks an important milestone in the effort to create more granular and accurate broadband maps, this work is far from over. To emphasize how much more work needs to be done, we are calling the product we unveil today a pre-production draft. Releasing this early version of the new maps is intended to kickstart an ongoing, iterative process where we are consistently adding new data to improve and refine the maps.
The long-term success of this effort will depend on consumer and stakeholder engagement. To ensure that the maps are constantly improving, we have set up a system that allows consumers and others to challenge inaccuracies and provide feedback. Individuals who see that the information on the maps does not match up with what they know from their lived experience will be able to submit challenges, or request corrections, directly through the map interface. We will also accept bulk challenges to the reported availability data from state, Tribal, and local governments and other stakeholders who see problems we need to correct in multiple locations. We strongly encourage these parties to partner with us and share their input through the challenge process so we may continue to improve our maps. This crowdsourcing activity is an important part of getting the information we have right.
The last thing I would note about the release of today’s maps is that they are the product of a lot of hard work, especially by public servants at the FCC. I want to thank the Broadband Data Task Force and the many, many dedicated staff throughout the Commission who have helped us get to this point. Thanks also to the Congressional leaders who spearheaded the Broadband DATA Act, which was the driving force behind today’s release.
This effort is a big improvement over the old system that simply stated if service was available on the basis of a single subscriber in a census block. But we have work to do to refine this information and make sure it is accurate and up to date. Let’s get to it.
—Jessica
Calls To Action
1) Look closely at these maps to check their accuracy and to see how each of your towns measure up
2) Make sure that you and your residents fill out the BPU’s survey. Please remember, everyone can be a great spokesperson for their own municipality!
Posted: December 19, 2022 by bduthaler
Broadband in New Jersey
by Robert Boyle, Founder and CEO, Planet Networks
This is the second year I attended the New Jersey State League of Municipalities convention. It is also the second time I have had the honor to speak on the JAG panel on a topic that I am so passionate about and have dedicated the last 29 years of my life to making it a reality with Planet Networks – fast, reliable, and affordable Internet access for all – especially those in chronically underserved areas.
The rock stars I had the honor to share the stage with are equally passionate about the cause of better broadband for all. Thank you to: Valarry C. Bullard (Transparency Officer | Broadband Advisor – NJ Office of the Governor), Joe Rivera (Manager of Broadband Access NJ BPU), India Still (Deputy Executive Director Administration and Finance Atlantic City MUA), Bob Duthaler (President Jersey Access Group), Ken Fellman (President at Kissinger & Fellman, P.C.), & Brian Wahler (Piscataway Township, Mayor).
It was not an accident that the very first residential building Planet Networks lit up with fiber Internet was a 101-unit apartment building where the majority of the units were rent-subsidized. We were also one of the first companies to sign up for the federal government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit during the pandemic. This initiative turned into the Affordable Connectivity Program which we have supported and accepted since day one. Providing ubiquitous and affordable Internet is a universal problem that will require all of us to work together toward equity and justice from NJ’s most rural farm roads to our urban centers. Far too many still lack access to anything resembling reliable Internet service. Private investments, like those Planet Networks is making with the addition of the federal funds available, when spent wisely can ensure access for all. If you live in NJ and haven’t already taken it, please take the NJ broadband assessment: https://broadband-nj.com.
LINK TO PRESENTATION: Video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k90uN9lWdOk&t=35s
Posted: November 28, 2022 by Doug Seidel
Following the Money: Accessing Broadband Funding
JAG and the NJ League of Municipalities present a joint session that explains how to access broadband funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Last year the Federal Government approved $65B to improve broadband deployment and adoption. This funding will flow to states for distribution.
During this session, our expert panel discusses how municipalities can apply for grants and use
funds at the local level. The panel is hosted by Mayor Brian Wahler of Piscataway Township. Other panelists include Valarry Bullard, Broadband Advisor to Governor Murphy; Joseph Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access – NJ BPU; Ken Fellman, Esq. Of Counsel, Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P.C.; Robert Boyle, CEO Planet Networks; and Bob Duthaler, JAG President.
Posted: November 7, 2022 by bduthaler
Enhancing Your Programming with Music
By Joel Feinberg, Chief Executive Officer, de Wolfe Music USA Inc.
De Wolfe Music was founded in 1909 by Meyer de Wolfe. Now at 113 years old, we are a full-service music company offering a production music library, custom composition, sound effects, and commercial music clearance services. Although the company is still independent and family-run, de Wolfe has achieved worldwide recognition and our music can be heard in countless films, TV shows, advertisements, and more.
The main attraction is our production music library, which contains a broad collection of over 100,000 tracks. Instead of aggregating existing recordings by random composers, de Wolfe works with a close-knit circle of full-time composers and is directly involved from composition to recording, mixing and mastering. Both sides of our music (composition and master) are 100% owned and pre-cleared for licensing. By maintaining exclusive control of our compositions and master recordings, we make the licensing process 1-stop, quick and easy.
We release 40-50 new albums every year, guaranteeing a fresh, contemporary sound within a multitude of genres. We strive to stay on top of the hottest music trends and those that would lend themselves perfectly for synchronization. Our in-house music specialists are available to provide music search assistance with lightning-fast results.
Our Labels
Creative and musically diverse, the production music label that started it all, covering most musical genres, with over 600 albums and tens of thousands of tracks.
Tracks ideal for rock, sports, news and business all with a North American focus.
De Wolfe is proud to be working with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and releasing their recordings of the world’s greatest classical music.
A unique collection of the very best jazz available for licensing. From ragtime to jazz hop, and everything in between
Made-to-measure music that’s ideal for radio ads, jingles and voice-overs, all cut to handy 60, 30 and 15 second lengths.
Our LP – back-catalog lovingly remastered. Old favorites, cult classics and music hard to find anywhere else
A special collection of our authentic vintage recordings remastered from our prized vaults. Each album focuses on a particular era. Perfect for time period productions.
Recorded between 1960 and 1974, the albums on Sylvester cover everything from avantgarde and music concrete, to French jazz and easy listening.
The little production music library that’s a lot different. Hudson offers tracks that are quirky, fun and diverse: from easy listening and lounge to styles and musical clichés.
Rouge catalog showcases our commercial composers at their best. The specialty series ‘The History of Jazz’ features some of the outstanding musicians on the jazz scene.
The Rouge Music Library was created in the 1970s and includes a wealth of Disco, Sports, Jazz and Drama. All of these LP’s are now available re-mastered.
Synctracks covers a broad range of popular styles and genres as well as some experimental tracks for those who consider themselves adventurous.
Bridges the gap between commercial music and the ease of licensing of production music. Bite Hard brings authenticity and commercial production values to promos, trailers, TV shows and movies.
Music Licensing
We offer a wide array of music licensing options which can be tailored to the needs of any single or series of productions.
Needle Drop: per use within a single production
Production Blanket: unlimited use within a single production
Series Blanket: unlimited usage throughout a series of related productions
Theme Use: unlimited use of one (1) track for a period of one (1) year
Annual Subscription: unlimited use of a portion or the whole library for a period of 1, 2, or 3 years.
Pricing
Our licensing fees are calculated based upon the type of production, clearances required, territory, and term. Please contact us for a quote at team@dewolfemusic.com
To learn more, we will be speaking at JAG’s general meeting on December 7th at 12:12pm via Zoom.
Posted: November 7, 2022 by bduthaler
Spotlight: HPTV – A History of HPTV
By Monica Jackson, Station Manager, Highland Park Television
The broadcasting of video recordings of Highland Park, NJ public meetings by HPTV is an accepted fact in the Borough and a well-regarded public service. Yet it may surprise some observers to hear that the development of the channel was by no means simple or amply supported.
The Borough’s Cable TV Advisory Committee established HPTV in 1996, initially offering only a bulletin board scroll. Video telecasts of Borough Council meetings began the following year.
As Borough resident Gary Leslie , long-time HPTV station manager shared, the Mayor and Borough Council were initially hesitant to have their meetings televised. Yet they soon came to see the value of the broadcasts, both to improve transparency and for enhancing accessibility. The Highland Park Board of Education expressed reluctance as well to see their meetings televised, yet they too embraced the option years later.
As the channel grew, HPTV added other forms of programming such as broadcasts of other town meetings and special community events; a talk show led by a local senior citizen; a series of stories from the public library; the airing of public domain films, and more.
When HPTV began adding local content, the limited group of volunteers who ran the channel benefited from a partnership with the public high school that allowed HPTV to work with a video production class and share a TV studio in the school with them. The students helped develop some of the programming and the class teacher served as a member of the Cable TV Advisory Committee. Sadly, budget cuts led to the cancellation of the class and the closing of the TV studio.
HPTV has often operated with a shoestring budget and a skeleton crew of volunteers. The Borough was able to obtain grants from the cable provider during franchise renewal negotiations, and used these funds to purchase new equipment. In the last decade the channel established a presence on YouTube and Facebook, which has enabled it to further extend the reach of the programming. Our next big step will be to stream our borough council meetings live to Highland Park residents beginning with our November meetings.
In 2019, Gary Leslie decided to take a much deserved retirement from his time-intensive involvement in HPTV. He has remained an active cheerleader, and helpful advisor for the station. Gary’s leadership has given us the foundation from which we operate today.
Monica Jackson, communications coordinator of the Borough, assumed responsibility for the channel and has overseen programming ever since. She, like Gary, finds it quite challenging to enlist volunteers to help create content for the channel. We are always looking for new ways to recruit volunteers and we would welcome any suggestions as to how to find and keep new people.
HPTV is currently aired on Verizon Fios channel 44 and on Optimum channel 15. The channel offers recordings of local government meetings (Mayor & Borough Council, Zoning Board, Planning Board, and Board of Education), programs produced by other sources (public access stations, public domain programming, etc.), bulletin board listings of upcoming events, and (when available) locally produced interviews and recordings of public events. We depend on the JAG cloud-based server to supplement the programs we produce locally. These programs help make the channel more interesting to our residents.
For more information on HPTV, please contact Monica Jackson at mjackson@hpboro.com.
Posted: November 7, 2022 by bduthaler
Operational Benefits For Station Managers
By Bob Duthaler, Executive Board, Chair
Running an effective and efficient station can be a challenging job. The degree of difficulty also changes depending upon your ability to spend time at your station. Some stations have the luxury of a paid station manager who oversees the operation on a daily basis. Others must rely on volunteers or boards to operate them successfully. Some are even a combination of both. However it is that your station is staffed, you need tools to help you successfully operate. JAG understand this. With this in mind, JAG is announcing our Manager’s Roundtable Discussions for 2023. These are special virtual meetings designed specifically for those who are involved in the oversight and operation of the PEG channel.
Thursday, January 12th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “Sponsorship Opportunities for your Station”. Learn from those who are currently doing or have done this, what is involved and for what you need to prepare yourself. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences and ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, March 9th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “In Studio Productions”. Do you have a studio space or are looking to create a studio space? Learn how stations are utilizing space to create a studio, quality content and more. We will discuss all different sizes of studios from a small insert to a larger multi-set space. Find out about shows created, set designs and equipment used. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences or ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, June 8th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “Field Productions: Multi-Camera Productions both Live and Live to Tape”. How are stations covering larger events that require multiple cameras, including live switching, live streaming or live to tape coverage. We will discuss production vehicles, fly packs, portable switchers and the latest in live streaming. Come prepared to discuss your needs, budgets and capabilities. Learn from those doing it currently and hear from those who want to take the next step. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences or ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, September 14th at 2pm: Join us as we discuss “Sports Coverage”. From single camera shoots to multi-camera shoots with live switching and cameras that can stream, add graphics and more. We will discuss having play-by-play announcers to take your coverage to the next level and how you can create a big budget feel with a small crew or even single camera coverage. Hear from stations currently covering sporting events and listen to those who want to take the next step. This is an open discussion designed for station managers to interact with each other, share personal experiences or ask questions of concern on the topic.
Thursday, November 9th at 2pm: Topic To Be Announced. Do you have a specific topic you would like to discuss? Please reach out to JAG President Bob Duthaler and discuss your ideas on topics you would like to discuss. Contact information: bduthaler@jagonline.org
Make the most of your station’s ability to create quality content and run efficiently and effectively by participating in the JAG Manager’s Round Table Discussions. Currently the plan is to hold these sessions virtually. If possible, there might be the ability to hold these in a hybrid format at a station’s location and online. Please mark your calendar now for these must attend events in 2023.
Posted: November 7, 2022 by bduthaler
Being an Affiliate of the League of Municipalities
by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair
Since March 2000, JAG (Jersey Access Group) members have raised awareness of communication issues that have an impact on the interests of local government. JAG has created initiatives that ensure the voices of local officials and citizens continue to be communicated effectively.
JAG Is an NJLM Affiliate
In 2013, JAG became an affiliate organization of the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM). This allowed us to provide support to New Jersey municipalities in all areas of communications. We distribute information to more then 560 mayors and 13,000 elected and appointed officials who are League members. Each year at the League’s annual conference JAG presents sessions on communications issues that impact every municipality. These panels have spanned many communication issues and contain vital and informative facts that help New Jersey municipalities face communications challenges.
Meet the JAG Team at the NJLM Conference.
This year, JAG is preparing two new sessions that address potential funding for broadband and improving citizen engagement:
Find Out More About JAG
Stop by our The Jersey Access Group booth, #230, on the trade show floor. Talk to us about how our non-profit organization can help you develop the best strategy for communicating directly to your audience.
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Long Battle over FCC nominee Gigi Sohn Prompts Action
On Friday, October 14th, JAG was among nearly 250 industry and public interest groups who wrote a letter to top Senate leaders calling for a vote on the nomination of Gigi Sohn to the FCC before Congress adjourns at the end of the year. The FCC needs a full commission as it begins to deliberate on vital decisions that will impact the American people and the economy.
Following the infrastructure legislation that Congress passed last year, the federal government will soon invest an unprecedented amount of funding in expanding internet access. The lack of action on the Sohn nomination, and not having a 5th FCC Commissioner in place, has constrained the efforts to restore open internet protections and close the digital divide.
During the last administration, the agency deregulated net neutrality protections and wiped-out decades-old rules that maintained media diversity throughout our country. This new legislation directs the FCC to develop rules in order to address the discrimination in internet access on the basis of income level or race.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
“Over Ms. Sohn’s 30 years of experience in telecommunications, broadband and
technology policy, she has shown a strong commitment to the First Amendment, and
proven to be a leader in promoting innovation, US jobs and a strong economy. She has
regularly worked with organizations representing diverse media interests and across the
aisle to ensure all voices and views are heard both as a consumer advocate and as a
government official. Her consistent and long held support of diversity in viewpoints in
media will serve all voices well and is why she is supported by both conservatives and
progressives. “
It was sent to Senators Charles Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Maria Cantwell and Roger Wicker.
For a full version of this important letter please go here
JAG – Connecting Your Content to Your Audience.