Methuen Community Television

 Comcast: Channel 22 / Verizon: Channel 33 Saturday, July 31, 2010
About MCTV

Methuen Community Television is a local, non-profit television station dedicated to covering the community of Methuen. Our goal is to give the people of Methuen an opportunity to inform their neighbors about the issues affecting our community, and to provide a resource for people to learn more about their town.

MCTV was founded in 1996 when citizens and members of the Cable Advisory Board decided that the cable television operator was not enthusiastic about providing local programming. They petitioned the Mayor of the City to amend the Cable Television license and create an independent corporation. The station would be funded by a fee, paid by the city's cable subscribers as well as sponsorships from local businesses. The Board of Directors would be selected by the Mayor of the City.

From its origins at Methuen High School, MCTV moved and opened its doors at its current location, in a professional office park. The new facility was custom designed and built to meet the needs of the organization as it grew to serve the community. We currently have a three camera studio, two editing facilities, six field cameras, and a portable studio.

With its state of the art facilities, MCTV also revamped its training program to better serve our members. Over 150 people have taken workshops within the last five years. They have been trained in producing, directing, hosting, studio operations and field equipment operations. We have also supported our membership through "Member's Nights", led by staff and members. Past topics have included Copyright Issues, Promoting Your Program, and The Life of a Professional Cameraman.

In the last two years, MCTV and MCTV members have won a national HOMETOWN award, two Honorable Mentions at the National level, two regional first place awards and six other regional awards for its programming. We have also been on the scene of local events including the Santa Parade, State of the City Address, Person of the Year Dinner, and counting. MCTV has also provided complete and comprehensive election coverage. Every election season since 2003, MCTV produced candidate debates as well as live election night coverage.

All citizens of Methuen, 16 years of age or older, are encouraged to become members of MCTV. Training classes are at no cost and there is no minimum time commitment. Don't just watch television, be a part of it, and learn more about what makes television, what makes Methuen, and more about yourself in the process.

MCTV Staff

Karen Hayden
Executive Director
Karen Hayden
Executive Director

Karen has over 15 years of studio management experience and over 25 years of production and training creation. After graduating Fitchburg State College, Karen worked in corporate media for Filene's and DMA Inc. before moving into local access television. She spent 13 years in Andover, MA and one and a half years in Reading, MA before coming to Methuen in 2002. She serves as an Alliance for Community Media Northeast Regional board member.



Michelle Houle
Membership Coordinator
Michelle Houle
Membership Coordinator

Michelle was a member of the production team for the Lowell (MA) Cable News for seven years serving as camera operator, segment producer, director, and editor. A graduate of Bridgewater State College, Michelle has over 15 years experience in production and training. She came to MCTV as the volunteer host of Methuen Now in 2003, and was hired as Membership Coordinator in 2004.



Seth Graham
Operations Coordinator
Seth Graham
Operations Coordinator

Seth started as an MCTV volunteer in 2005. He serves as MCTV’s broadcast and network engineer, and oversees the station’s technical operations, website, and promotion. Prior to that, Seth was a news anchor, on-air host, and Creative/New Media Director at WERS-FM in Boston. He also interned in the Creative Services and Digital Media departments at WBZ-TV (CBS) Boston. A Methuen native, Seth is a 2010 graduate of Emerson College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Political Communications. He brings more than seven years of experience in digital and internet media.




Board of Directors

John Molori
President

John Hollins, Jr.
Vice President

Ray Pilat
Secretary

Gertrude Lavigne
Treasurer

Sandi Seglin
Members Vice President

Tom Grassi
Pamela Manzi Healy
Jamie Atkinson
Kingsley Lough
MCTV Annual Reports