WESTFIELD – The Mayor’s office announced on Wednesday that the city’s public, educational, and governmental cable access service has recently added and expanded services for the community.
Westfield’s public television has expanded to two channels for the city’s cable television subscribers. Viewers can still watch morning Community Radio simulcasts (such as The Westfield News Radio Show) as well as live and pre-recorded City Council, School Committee, and Planning Board meetings on the Westfield Community Programming Channel 15. In addition, for announcements of community events, viewers can now tune in to Comcast Cable Channel 12 for the Westfield Community Bulletin Board.
Westfield community outreach coordinator Amber Danahey (WNG file photo)
“This is something that’s been a long time coming,” said Westfield’s community outreach coordinator Amber Danahey. She said the public broadcasting is a coordinated project between the city’s technology department and Westfield State University.
Danahey said some of the new services were tested over the summer during the Babe Ruth series.
“It’s definitely an alternative source to reach people. We struggle right now with how to be able to reach people. This gives us another channel to do that,” she said.
The city has also announced a new community public television website, www.westfieldtv.org. While still in the process of updating, channel programming and on-demand viewing will be available from this site, as well as live streaming.
In addition to the updated service on cable television, a new online community programming streaming service is now available and accessible via the www.westfieldtv.org site. Online viewers can check Community Bulletin Board announcements and watch the live broadcasts of Community Radio and City Council, School Committee, and Planning Board meetings.
When emergency alerts need to be broadcast, for example school cancellations or delays, municipal closings, or weather related emergencies, they will be displayed “Ticker” style, similar to what you see on other broadcast TV channels. This will be displayed on both Channels 12 & 15, as well as the Internet Streaming channel.
“The addition of Channel 12 and internet streaming came about after an upgrade of the nearly 12-year-old programming equipment for Channel 15. As part of the recent cable franchise renewal with Comcast, the city has added the second channel to provide the 24/7 bulletin board service and streaming capabilities for those without cable access,” explained Westfield’s technology director Lenore Bernashe.
The Westfield Community Bulletin Board service on Channel 12 is open to all not-for-profit agencies in the city to announce upcoming events. Event information can be submitted through the Westfield TV webpage (www.westfieldtv.org) or emailed to [email protected].
