Basics

Hull has two cable television providers, Comcast and Verizon. Although funding for PEG (Public/Education/Government) programming is provided by the cable television licensees, as required by Federal regulation, the Station Manager is a Town employee who answers directly to the Town Manager.

The Town provides both cable companies with identical local access programming to distribute to their customers. The Public/Government channel is Comcast 9/Verizon 35. The Education station is Comcast 22/Verizon 34.

History

A new era for Hull Community Television began in 1999 when the original 15 year franchise agreement expired and the Town decided to assume responsibility for local PEG programming. Starting with nothing more than a truckload of old equipment and an outmoded camera system at Town Hall, Hull Community Television has evolved into state-of-the-art access media center. Longtime volunteer Peter Seitz was hired as Program Director in 2000 and, with the support of the Town Manager, within a year HC-TV had an office and an up-to-date remote control camera system at Town Hall; new, high quality, portable equipment and a new community bulletin board.

In 2005, working in co-operation with the Hull Public Schools, Hull TV opened a production facility at the newly renovated Hull High School which featured a professional three camera studio, two editing suites, an office and an equipment room. Once again, all of the equipment was paid for with funds from the cable provider.

Growth

For the past ten years, Hull TV has implemented a continuous improvement plan. With the help of Hull IT Director Judi Saide, we have built our own internal fiber network, which allows file sharing between our facilities at the high school and Town Hall. In 2007, we added a 3 camera robotic system to the Hull High Exhibition Room, adding another location from where we can televise meetings live.  We have also greatly improved our coverage of Town Meeting and other large events held in the high school auditorium by installing a co-axial camera control system which links the auditorium to our studio control room. In 2015 we added Video On Demand and live streaming for both channels. We also have 3 YouTube channels-HullTVTube, HCTV Lectures and Hull Pirate TV. Other recent upgrades include a green screen area, improved lighting and a custom designed set for our studio. In 2015 we added Video On Demand and live streaming for both channels.