Belmont Community Media Center, Inc. (BMC) operates the Town of Belmont's Public, Educational, and Government Access Cable TV Channels, and provides services to residents including the use of video equipment, a studio, and video, media and production training. Programming is cablecast on Comcast channels 8, 9 & 96; and Verizon channels 28, 29, & 30.
BMC was established in 2005 as a 501c3 non-profit corporation, and is funded directly from franchise fees collected from Comcast and Verizon, as stipulated under The Telecommunications Act of 1996, a federal law.
A board of directors comprising nine members, including Chairman Jonathan Green, oversees the organization and offers financial and managerial oversight.
Jeff Hansell, whom the board hired as BMC's first executive director in February 2006, runs the day-to-day operation, including managing BMC's two-person staff and organizing volunteers.
As part of its contract with the Town, BMC also submits to The Board of Selectmen an annual report of programs, activities and financial statements, all of which are available for public review.
Highlights for 2007 include:
" The installation of a web-based digital video server to provide playback of all programs over the three public access TV channels. This innovation allows BMC to provide programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BMC played back 12,000 hours of original and repeat programs over two channels (8/28 & 9/29)
" The introduction of an accredited course in Media & Video Production at Belmont High School. BMC provided financial, technical and training support.
" The development of new programs including: On-Air Belmont, Office Hours with Will Brownsberger, Belmont Business Report, Belmont Public Library Series, Emergency Planning Update, and Daring to Dream with Suzy Spivey.
" Live and taped coverage of 121 regular and special government meetings.
" An increase in membership and involvement by residents in the Center. For example during the year, the number of BMC members rose to 167 from 73; there were 85 class sessions provided, and more than 200 local/regional groups and agencies were served. In addition, 54 BMC volunteers provided 1700 volunteer hours.
" The posting of local programs directly on the BMC website (http://belmontmedia.org) was implemented so that those residents who are not cable TV subscribers can view them.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Hansell, Executive Director
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