ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
David Riley Jr., the head of productions management at Lynn Community Television, says modern broadcasting technology is “so simple now.”
BY DILLON DURST
LYNN — Nine months after Lynn Community Television (LCTV) launched from a temporary space in City Hall, staff and board members said they’re making progress.
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy appointed LCTV’s five-member board last fall, prompted by legal claims and counter accusations between former cable access provider Lynn Community Media Access Inc. and the city.
LCTV’s goal is to develop a first-class public access center for the people of Lynn, said Richard Coppinger, board treasurer.
He said the board and production team are seeking to grow the station’s live broadcasting capabilities and give the public a reason to tune in every night.
“We want to make our mark over the next year or two,” Coppinger said.
In January, its government access sector, available on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 37, broadcast only two shows, the City Council and School Committee meetings. It has since expanded to cover four more including the Water & Sewer Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, License Commission, and Traffic and Parks meetings. It also features “Frankly Speaking,” a news talk show hosted by Joe Spina and Paul Crowley, to total 119 hours of programming per week.
Despite its growth, LCTV is unable to say how many viewers watch the shows.
The public access division, which airs on Comcast channel 3 and Verizon channel 38, broadcasts community events, documentaries and staff-produced shows, such as “Lynn Lowdown.” It also provides opportunities to learn, use and create media.
“The technology is so simple now,” said David Riley Jr., head of productions management. “People of all ages can come in and learn it.”
Riley, who has years of video production experience, along with director of operations Sean Donahue and programming director Pedro Diaz Jr., comprise the production staff. Together, they boast more than 30 years of combined field experience.
“We just want the public to know that LCTV is in good and experienced hands,” Riley said.
Robert Tucker, board chairman, said LCTV is “aggressively looking” for new space within the city. While he wouldn’t say where, Tucker said the board has narrowed its list of potential sites and hopes to be out of room 302 as soon as possible.
Dillon Durst can be reached at [email protected].