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I understand that the town’s contract with RCTV is about to expire, and that the Select Board is currently debating whether and under what terms to renew it. I respectfully urge the Select Board to renew its contract with RCTV.
The station costs the town nothing, since its funding comes from Comcast and Verizon. While that funding has decreased as people have “cut the cord,” the station has responded by reducing its costs accordingly.
But rather than repeat facts that are already well-publicized, I’d like to take a moment to share my family’s relationship with RCTV. While our experience is somewhat unique, I hope it serves as a case study in how RCTV is of profound value to our community, particularly our youth.
I’ve created local programming with RCTV, including RPS Today, a show highlighting the great work being done in our schools. I’ve also hosted Community Connections and conducted interviews with our town managers, candidates for town-wide office (including current Select Board members), law enforcement officers, staff of the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support, the director of the Reading Public Library, volunteers with our food bank, members of our Cultural Council, and more. Through RCTV, residents like me have been able to raise awareness about the incredible resources, organizations, and people in our town.
But the impact of RCTV on my son, Max Coles, is even more meaningful to me.
Max began taking classes at RCTV in middle school. In high school, he started creating hype and recap videos for RMHS sports teams. He studied TV and Film Production at RMHS with Anna Cuevas, a dedicated teacher whose salary is funded entirely by RCTV, and his work flourished. Max has just wrapped up his sophomore year at UConn-Storrs where he is majoring in Digital Media Design. He has already filmed and produced content for UConn basketball, football, ice hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball teams. RCTV helped Max discover and develop his life’s passion. His technical skills, creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, and confidence have all grown thanks in part to his work with the station’s staff. You can see the talent that RCTV helped foster here: https://www.instagram.com/maxsvideos_/?hl=en
If RCTV were to be dissolved, the town would no doubt find another way to record meetings. But as I hope I’ve shown, so much more–that comes at no cost to the town — would be lost.
I recognize the Select Board’s valid points about how other local access stations are adapting to the changing media landscape. Those changes will continue, and I agree RCTV must evolve too. Personally, I’d love to see the station expand its youth outreach, community education offerings, and local coverage. But that evolution can’t happen if the station ceases to exist.
Please renew the contract between Reading and RCTV. Let’s build on the strong foundation we already have.
Thank you.
Sherri VandenAkker, Ph.D.
