HOM-TV 21

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = HOM-TV 21
station_
station_slogan = Meridian Government Television
station_branding = HOM-TV 21
analog = 21 (VHF)
digital = 915 (UHF)
affiliations = Government
founded = 1978
location = Okemos,Michigan
callsign_meaning = Haslett/Okemos/Meridian
owner = HOM-TV 21: Meridian Township
homepage = [http://meridian.mi.us/homtv/index.htm]

HOM-TV 21 is the Meridian Township Government Television affiliate in Meridian Township in Okemos, Michigan. It broadcasts its analog signal on VHF channel 21, and its digital signal on UHF channel 915.

Background

HOM-TV is Meridian Township's award-winning government access 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. HOM-TV is funded through cable franchise fees. Channel 21 and other access channels are a service provided through the Township's franchise agreement with Comcast cable company. The call letters HOM-TV 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 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 HOM-TV for the township's government access station. The second non-exclusive franchise agreement was signed with United Cable Company in 1988.

1993--HOM-TV 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--HOM-TV has continued to expand its operation and win awards for community programming, with 1998 marking HOM-TV's tenth consecutive year with at least one national first place award.

2000--HOM-TV 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 HOM-TV with a national first place award for Overall Excellence in Government Access.

HOM-TV Productions and their respective Hosts

* Beyond the Badge

* Community Connections

* Fun Factory

* Meridian LIVE

* Meridian Magazine

* Minor Complications Brent Stanton

* On the AgendaJo Anne Paul

Ben Stark

* Open Line w/ Jo Anne Paul Jo Anne Paul

* The Entertainment Show Erica Williams

* All AccessLawton Lunce

Amanda Harper

Minor Complications

A teen discussion call-in program featuring Meridian Township teens talking about issues dealt with on a daily basis.

The show's current Host and Co-Executive Producer is Brent Stanton. Stanton is a senior at Williamston High School in Williamston, Michigan. Stanton is the second non-Meridian Township resident to host the show. Stanton succeeded Whitney VanDenBerg from East Lansing High School in East Lansing, Michigan in September 2007.

Minor Complications is a live call-in program. Previously taped episodes of Minor Complications arerun everyday at 3 o'clock p.m. and at 8 o'clock p.m. on Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. A new show is taped live at 8 o'clock p.m. on Monday evenings.

On the Agenda

On the Agenda is an interview show with government officials including the Township and State discussing changes that could take place in the community.

Sources

* [http://www.meridian.mi.us/homtv/index.htm]