Tri-Town TV launches to encourage community engagement
Jul 9, 2018
ORCTV staffers from left in the green room: Mikly Sivvianakis, Codie Patnaude, and Amanda Colwell. BY TYLER A. MCNEIL
Want to find out about something before it happens or learn a little more about a local group or organization? Old Rochester Community Television recently launched a program that does that.
Tri-Town TV, the local cable access channel’s latest news and events-oriented show debuted July 1, with a preview of the Old Colony Car Show in Rochester, Storybrook Entertainment’s princess performers, highlights of YMCA Southcoast summer programs at the Mattapoisett YMCA, an overview of Old Rochester Farmers Market at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School in Mattapoisett, and some history and preview of the Mattapoisett Road Race.
The first show was hosted by interns Olivia Rose and Tristan Taylor.
The show’s producers say Tri-Town TV will report on news and events in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester throughout the summer as a way to drive community engagement and build a larger audience. So far, public response has been good.
“They love it and they appreciate it, and they want us back,” ORCTV Studio Manager Codie Patnaude said.
Behind production, there was a different sight: lots of production planning meetings, lots of editing, and for many at ORCTV, balancing the show with their regular tasks.
“It’s hard to say how many hours they cast aside for this,” ORCTV Station Director Robert Chiarito said. “They were kind of doing this in between the moments of their normal tasks.”
To make that happen, ORCTV Outreach Coordinator Brittany Hotte contributed equipment upgrades over the past year as well as recent roster changes as factors in putting the program together.
With extra hands and minds, the station now has more time to brainstorm on ideas rather than have a "this has to get out, this has to get out” philosophy, Hotte said.
While challenging at times, Hotte embraces the station's expansion.
“It was fun, but crazy,” Hotte said.
Tri-Town TV airs on Comcast local public access Channel 9, and on Verizon local public access Channel 36. The next show will air during the first week of August, according to the studio manager.
