Plaistow cable channel offers new programs

By Meghan Carey
Staff writer

May 07, 2008 05:05 am

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PLAISTOW — Television viewers who are channel surfing this week will find more than a message board when they get to Channel 17.

The local cable access station has new equipment and three new shows hitting the airwaves this month, the first of which aired yesterday, Cable Advisory Committee member Dan Bush said. For the first time, the studio now can replay shows, and will start by running a new, community awareness program three times a day all this week, he said.

The new show is hosted by the committee's two newest members, Mickie Conte and Norm Bouchard, and will feature interviews about pertinent town topics. Bush said he was helping to produce and edit the first episode Friday night, which features an interview with local activist Vanessa Underwood about LiveStrong Day.

An interview with the director of the CART program and a show about recycling in town also are in the works, he said.

Later this month, Sue Sherman will begin hosting a children's show, Bush said. He also expects committee member Dave Cantone to host a religious show in the near future, similar to "The Burn Hour" that Cantone used to produce, Bush said.

Until now, Bush's "The Night Joint" call-in show was the only programming on Plaistow Access Cable. He said he's produced the live Sunday night show for almost two years.

The channel is funded from 5 percent of the money Comcast collects from Plaistow customers. The $40,000 annual budget funds Cable Director Bob Carolan's salary, rent and equipment, with some money left over for productions.

Carolan is on vacation and could not be reached for comment.

Interim Town Administrator Jason Hoch said the new equipment that will allow Carolan to replay shows was purchased with money from the cable franchise fees that had been saved for a few years. A portion of that fee is explicitly for equipment, he said.

The Comcast franchise contract is up for renewal, and a hearing on it is scheduled for May 24 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.