Methuen Community Studios 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 use the media effectively to inform their neighbors about the issues affecting our community. We also strive to provide a venue for local sports, the arts, religious and non-profit organizations and business leaders’ expertise to be shared.

MCS was founded in 1996 as Methuen Community Television (MCTV) 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 original Board of Directors was selected by the Mayor of the City.

From its origins at Methuen High School, MCTV moved to a professional office park and operated there from 2003-2017. This facility was custom designed and built to meet the needs of the organization as it grew to serve the community.

But Methuen Community Television had a larger vision – OWN a space where officials and citizens of the community could gather to make media. In 2017, that dream was realized when MCTV opened at 20 Aegean Drive, Unit 11 in Methuen. We currently have a large four camera studio, a smaller three camera studio, a kitchen where cooking shows can be produced, three editing rooms, eight field cameras, and a portable studio. MCTV is also available as rental space for meetings, photo shoots and other productions. We plan to open a professional level Podcast studio as soon as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in Massachusetts.

In 2018, Mayor James Jajuga asked MCTV to take over operations of Methuen Government Television, which hosted the live coverage of municipal meetings and bulletin board announcements. Since that time, MCTV has expanded the channel’s programming to include replays of all meetings, City related original programming and sharing of important state and federal video programming to residents of Methuen.

In 2020, MCTV became known as Methuen Community Studios (MCS) to reflect our expanding portfolio of media services for the community and expansion of television programming in Methuen.

With its state of the art facilities, MCS revamped its training program to better serve our members. They have been trained in producing, directing, hosting, studio operations and field equipment operations. We have also supported our membership through Member’s Night Workshops, School Vacation Children’s Workshops, and Volunteer Day events.

Since 2004, MCS staff and MCS members have won three national HOMETOWN awards, two Honorable Mentions at the National level, four regional first place awards and 20 other regional awards for its programming. In addition, two programs, “Call to Serve” and “The Empty Chair: Exposing Addiction” have been recognized with the Northeast region Alliance for Community Media’s RIKA WELSH COMMUNITY IMPACT award.

We have also been on the scene of local events including the Santa Parade, State of the City Address, Book of Golden Deeds dinner, Methuen Day and many more. MCS has also provided complete and comprehensive election coverage. Every election season since 2003, MCS produced candidate debates as well as live election night coverage where possible.

All citizens of Methuen, 16 years of age or older, are encouraged to become members of MCS. Junior memberships are open to those 13-16 with a parent or guardian supervising their participation. Currently, 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.