New Shows Needed for Community Television Station

The volunteers at the Rocky Hill Community Television station are looking for people who are interested in hosting and producing their own shows.

About two and half years ago, the volunteers at Rocky Hill Community Television, which was started in 1989, applied for a grant from the Department of Public Utilities to remodel the station.

"We thought Rocky Hill Community Television station should be in the next step of evolution," said volunteer Al Hagglund.

The volunteers waited for more than two years and in August, they received word that they had been approved for the grant. In September, they started remodeling the station and in the middle of the November, the work was complete.

"Four volunteers did all the work," Hagglund, who was an electronics technician in the Navy, said. "The infrastructure was the hardest part. We painted everything and put rugs down too."

Hagglund said the new equipment allows each television show to have its own introduction, background, graphics and set.

Some of most popular shows on the station are the "Mayor's Report," with Mayor Anthony LaRosa and the "Spotlight on Education," which features the Board of Education chairperson. The shows run Thursdays at 7 p.m. and each month, one new show is recorded live.

Another popular show is "Our Towns Today," which is hosted by former Republican mayoral candidate Marti Stiglich. The station also shows taped episodes of "Ralph Talk" and "Girl Power," which is hosted by two young Rocky Hill girls.

"We have a pretty full schedule," Hagglund said. However, the station is always looking for its next big hit.

"We are looking for people to do a show," he said. "They can do anything that they want."

The volunteers are willing to help anyone interested learn how to produce their own show. They can teach people how to make their own graphics and introductions, how to edit and even, how to take calls on their phone lines. The studio is setup so only one host and one producer are needed for each program.

"We are enablers," Hagglund stated. "They can put on something that is competitive with the broadcast stations." 

For more information, visit their website or email Hagglund at al@rhctv.org.