Tune in to Watertown TV and you’ll see a broad variety of programming produced by Watertown residents as well as by its professional communications staff.
Watertown has a population of 30,000 and is located about half way between the Madison and Milwaukee media markets so Watertown TV serves a key role in the local media landscape. The center bills itself as “your hometown connection for local news, sports, events and entertainment.”
Funded by the city to improve communication “within and for” the community, Watertown TV serves both city government and the community at large. Residents are encouraged to use the center to create their own programming, or participate in the programming that is already being produced. Watertown TV’s staff are happy to assist with studio productions and has camera kits for check-out to capture community events. Media Coordinator Karen Huismann says, “We help community members flesh out their ideas into a well-rounded TV production.”
Karen definitely knows what it takes to make great community TV. She has spent most of her career working in television, and has served as the Media Coordinator for the City of Watertown for the past five years. Karen and her staff, Jourdan, Max, and Brandon, assist the community in producing a wide variety of programming. Watertown TV boasts that they have a show for every taste from yoga, local music and sports talk to community media staples such as local government meetings, church services, high school sports, and community events.
Of course, they could not do all of this without their growing force of volunteers. Those volunteers produce regular monthly shows and assist in field production for Watertown TV. “Our volunteers sometimes work on their own projects and sometimes help our staff cover government meetings or other community events,” said Karen.
Watertown TV is increasing in popularity in Watertown and beyond. Karen says, “When I first started, people did not know we existed! So we did more marketing to let people know that we’re here to help them share their ideas and interests on TV.” Marketing efforts have increased community awareness in Watertown and so has the addition of more ways to view Watertown TV’s local programming. Their programs are now viewable on watertowntv.com, Facebook, and YouTube.
For fans of classic television watching, Watertown TV is available on Charter Spectrum Cable on channel 985 (community) and 984 (government) in the communities of Watertown, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Whitewater, Waterloo, Lake Mills, Oconomowoc, Johnson Creek and Palmyra.
