HOM-TV 21

HOMTV 21
HOM-TV logo white on black
Okemos, Michigan
Branding HOMTV 21
Slogan Meridian Government Television
Channels Analog: 21
Digital: 915
Affiliations Government
Owner HOMTV 21: Meridian Township
Founded 1978
Call letters' meaning Haslett/Okemos/Meridian
Website

HOMTV 21 is the Meridian Township Government-access television (GATV) station located in Okemos, Michigan. It cable-casts its digital signal on Comcast cable TV channel 21 and 915.

Background

HOMTV is Meridian Township's award-winning Government-access television (GATV) station located in the Meridian Township Municipal Building. They broadcast exclusive gavel to gavel coverage of township meetings and community news on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and also stream live on the Internet. HOMTV is funded through Cable television franchise fees. Channel 21 and other Public-access television channels are a service provided through the Township's franchise agreement with Comcast Cable. The call letters HOMTV are derived from Haslett and Okemos, the two major communities comprising Meridian Township. It is pronounced like the word "home," to emphasize the station's focus on locally produced award-winning programming.

1978--The first cable franchise agreement was signed with National Cable Company and Cable TV service became available to Township residents. This franchise agreement provided for a channel to be used by Meridian Township government.

1980--The first township meetings were televised using Township Staff as volunteer crew members. In 1981, the Township hired the first part-time Cable TV Coordinator and interns began working at the station.

1984--The Cable TV Coordinator position changed to full-time status. In addition to meeting coverage, the station began airing a weekly news magazine program "Meridian Magazine". The next year, the Township hired the first production assistants to aid in the station's daily operation.

1987--The cable TV operation adopted the call letters HOMTV for the township's Government-access television station. The second non-exclusive franchise agreement was signed with United Cable Company in 1988.

1993--HOMTV moved into its current facility as part of the Municipal Building renovation project. And in 1994, the new HOM-TV studio was named after Erling Jorgensen, who served as Chair of the Cable Communications Commission for 20 years.

1994--HOMTV has continued to expand its operation and win awards for community programming, with 1998 marking HOMTV's tenth consecutive year with at least one national first place award.

2000--HOMTV celebrates its twentieth anniversary. The station carries on its tradition of excellence in community programming, and continues to expand and improve its internship program. Among the station's accomplishments, the Alliance for Community Media awarded HOMTV with a national first place award for Overall Excellence in Government Access.

Current HOMTV Productions and their respective Hosts

Zach Berridge

Andrea Mantakounis

Coach Mike

Brandie Hansen

Jo Anne Paul

D'Destin Kaufmann

Jo Anne Paul

Paige Kim

Deborah Guthrie

Previous HOMTV Productions

Brent Stanton

Erica Williams

Sources