Marshfield Broadcasting TV shows now on local radio

Marshfield Broadcasting has teamed up with WDLB 1450AM and 98.7FM, the “timeless classics” radio stations in Marshfield, to share its programs originally produced for television.

Central Wisconsin Broadcasting recently purchased WDLB and the new owner. Kevin Grap, decided to cover local issues in a new way. The long-time radio program, “Insight,” which focused on local issues, ended its run. The show with host Jeff Cannon had featured local officials like the City of Marshfield Mayor, Police Chief, Wood County Board Chair and Sheriff. And since 2008, Marshfield Broadcasting (formerly Marshfield Community TV) filmed the production of the program every Friday to create a television version.

Grap contacted the City of Marshfield’s community media center to see if there was interest in partnering to offer audio versions of City of Marshfield programming. The idea occurred to Grap after watching a Marshfield Broadcasting program about local veterans produced by David Ballerstein, City of Marshfield Communications Specialist.

City of Marshfield Communications Director Tom Loucks jumped at the opportunity. “The key is to get local programs out to the Marshfield community through as many platforms as possible, so everyone has the chance to watch or hear it,” said City of Marshfield Communications Director Tom Loucks.

With a few minor tweaks, Marshfield Broadcasting is now providing the radio station with Marshfield Now! and Heroes from Home (also on Spectrum Channel 989), Council Preview, and Post Council Update (also on Spectrum channel 991), and Your City at Work (with Mayor Barg) and County Connections (on both channels 989 and 991).   The radio station is airing the shows three times each week. 

Besides reaching a different audience, the collaboration has also given Marshfield Broadcasting a chance to promote itself. Thirty second promos carried by the radio station tell listeners when they can view the programs on Marshfield Broadcasting channels on Charter Spectrum.

The programs are also viewable On Demand through the MarshfieldBroadcasting.com.

In the future, the staff looks to take part in a LIVE radio broadcast program to help get more local information out.

How does local government work? A series of videos will explain.

The UW Madison-Division of Extension and Fitchburg FACTv are collaborating on a series of short videos to explain how local government functions.  Karl Green, Program Manager of the Local Government Education Program, approached Wisconsin Community Media for help in creating easy to digest videos to explain various concepts and procedures to local news reporters and newly elected officials.

Mary Cardona, Executive Director of Wisconsin Community Media, who involved Jeremy Crosby, Director of FACTv, in the project, immediately saw it as a way to also educate citizens and create better informed voters.  “Jeremy agreed immediately to produce the spots, knowing that the series fits perfectly with the mission of community media centers to make government transparent and educate residents on the issues,” said Cardona.

Green says about 20% of local officials are new every two years and local news reporters rotate in and out of positions at “significant rates.”  The lack of understanding about how local government works means that officials may make decisions based on inaccurate concepts and that reporters may write stories couched in an inaccurate understanding of what is going on and finally, voters may make decisions based on erroneous information in the media.

The Local Government Education Program has been providing factual non-biased, non-partisan local government education for decades.  “Wisconsin Community Media is very excited to be partnering with the Extension on these videos,” said Cardona. 

The first set of videos will be covering municipal budgets.  Among the topics covered are explaining the revenue and expense sides of a local government budget, describing what a levy is, understanding the concept of “net new construction,” and the role of a referendum.  Later videos will cover municipal property taxes and municipal elections.

WisEye creates voter guide video

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