It’s a new day at Hudson Community Television (HCTV). If viewers have not watched HCTV lately, it’s worth another look – on cable, online, or on-demand.
For starters, HCTV has a new name - Hudson Cable TV is now Hudson Community Television. The name change reflects the fact that HCTV is no longer just a cable television station. While still available on Spectrum cable, HCTV now serves the entire community through online website programming and streaming videos, as well as on-demand video access. HCTV programs can be streamed live and favorite past programming can be accessed at watch.hudsoncommunity.tv.
HCTV also brings live programming to viewers in new ways. Coverage of local events is streamed on the latest in social media communications, including Facebook Live. HCTV’s Facebook page has followers from all over the world. You can follow HCTV on Facebook here.
Also new at HCTV is a change in management. Barbara Breedon VanBlarcum is now HCTV’s Program Manager. Barb has worked for HCTV in a variety of capacities for 20 years and oversees all program material on the station. Barb is also the primary contact for community events on the Bulletin Board.
Co-managing with Barb is Dan Gerbracht, HCTV’s Operations Manager. Dan is responsible for all the technical equipment and systems necessary to bring the HCTV service to the community. Dan, who has been with HCTV for eight years, began working for the station while attending Hudson High School and earning his degree in Communications at Kent State University. He is skilled in video production and station technical operations.
But wait, there’s more! HCTV recently remodeled the 20-year-old studio set with the construction assistance of Hudson Players and funded through donations. The updated look includes new lighting, large-scale images of Hudson created by the WRA Wang Innovation Center, and graphics capabilities that lend a beautiful background to the studio productions.
There are also many improvements behind-the-scenes at HCTV. For cable viewers, there is now a clearer signal on all three channels. Thanks to a generous grant from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, new transmission equipment was installed to replace the sometimes noisy, distorted cable signal. The cable viewing experience has greatly improved with the new signal.
Recently, with a system-wide upgrade to all-digital programming, Spectrum has moved HCTV channels to a new location: the Community Channel 15 has moved to 1021; the Government Channel 16 moved to 1022; and the Bulletin Board Channel 17 is now 1023.
HCTV is still the best place to find Hudson High School concerts, sports, City and Hudson School Board meetings, Tom Vince history segments, Hudson oral histories, Hudson programs, and information. Call 330-653-2500 to learn more or to visit HCTV.
To produce a program to air on the Community Channel, contact Barb at (330) 653-2500. This is a free service to Hudson residents. Production can be done in the HCTV studio or recorded at a remote location with HCTV equipment, and edited on HCTV editing computers.
With so many new things at Hudson Community Television, it’s time to take another look at HCTV on Spectrum or on the City’s website. With new management, new equipment, a clearer signal, and a new energy and attitude to fully serve the citizens of Hudson, HCTV continues to offer Hudson citizens quality, commercial-free local programming.
