Thursday, December 29, 2016

KOCT 2016 Recap

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director
KOCT is proud of the many programs produced, services provided and progress that it made in 2016—Here’s a look back at some of the Highlights: 
KOCT, Your Community Channel, was acknowledged by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Oceanside for our community service and our 29 years as an organizational chamber member.

Community Health Matters—The KOCT production team (and our two community health clinics!) produced a new season of Community Health Matters.  Experts from Vista Community Clinic and North County Health discussed topics such as pediatrics, dental health during pregnancy, youth development, health education and mental health services.

We also launched a new season of Journalist Roundtable – in hi-definition! Our first show featured the Mayor of Oceanside Jim Wood who announced he will be running for re-election in November and President Karen Haynes brought viewers up to speed on the rapid growth of Cal State San Marcos

Our first show to launch the 2016 Election Season was about the controversial Measure A initiative that Carlsbad voters voted on in February.  We had a candid, professional debate on this proposed shopping center and open space issue.  Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall spoke in favor of the Caruso development and De’Ann Weimer, the President of Citizens for North County, spoke against the project. In the fall of 2016 KOCT produced over a dozen programs about the candidates and propositions that affect civic life in North County. 



KOCT was a joyous participant in Oceanside’s  Youth Success Week.  We invited the Superintendent of Oceanside Unified School District Duane Coleman to the KOCT studios to record daily messages that were then played in the classrooms each morning AND rolled our Mobile Studio to cover their climactic event at the Band shell. 


Thanks to a generous grant from Tri-City Medical Center KOCT was able to roll its high-definition Mobile Studio to cover an important North County event. KOCT provided four camera coverage of the 3rd annual North County Economic Summit held on March 2nd at the La Costa Resort.

KOCT produced two special High School Edition Oceanside Spectrums with video students from El Camino and Oceanside High School.  These special programs allowed local students to take a crash course in camera operation, floor directing, hosting and directing – taught by KOCT’s professional staff.  And the public benefited by watching programs for, by and about our local high schools and their teachers and events. 




KOCT won a Bronze, People’s Choice Award, for one of the programs in our 6-part series: The Adobes and Ranchos of North County.  “The Kelly Adobe” program was one of the first in-depth documentaries about this pioneer Kelly family that at one time owned a rancho larger than Carlsbad.  This program was made possible by a generous grant from The Parker Foundation (Gerald and Inez Parker). Tom Reeser was the Executive Producer and Lola Sherman the Script Writer.  The Field Producer was Jake Rush and the Editor was Miguel Blanco. The Narrator was Harvey Kaufman. Congratulations to all who participated in this award-winning series!

KOCT rebranded our Voice of Oceanside programs to reflect our increased focus on ‘all topics North County’. Our new series, North County Voice began airing in June and featured in-depth interviews with the Oceanside City Councilmembers, the Mayor and City Clerk among others. 

KOCT’s held its annual Open House on Tuesday, June 28th and showed off its state-of-the-art facility and equipment. 

The Alliance for Community Media is a national organization of community television station members similar to KOCT.  KOCT won a Hometown Media Video Award at the event.   KOCT’s talented Jon Beltz shot and edited some of the innovative footage and KOCT’s Micheyl Steinway polished the promo video for KOCT’s Journalist Roundtable. Congratulations, team.  Watch the promo now!

KOCT covered Oceanside High School’s beautiful graduation ceremony at the Junior Seau Beach Band shell. 

High School football returned to KOCT’s schedule with a classic double overtime Football game featuring cross-town rivals El Camino Vs Oceanside High School!

Thanks for watching KOCT-North County’s Channel—we have a lot of new programs and surprises to look forward to in 2017— Tune in to KOCT Channel 18 on Thursday, January 5th at 6 pm for a new season of Journalist Roundtable; Our guests will be  

  • Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery- we’ll ask him about the recent local elections, his future political plans and his thoughts about the demise of the Gregory Canyon Landfill among other topics
  • Leslie Gaul, CEO of the California Welcome Center, Oceanside, will discuss the idea behind developing Agricultural Tourism to Oceanside. Many viewers might not be aware of the large amount of agriculture that is conducted in Oceanside and the significant revenue generated. However, rising land prices, the high cost of water and other factors will affect the future possibilities of Ag-Tourism in Oceanside.
  •  Shasta Gaughen is the Pala Band of Native Americans’ Environmental Director. She will discuss the recent purchase of sacred land that was designated to become the Gregory Canyon Landfill. She will discuss this historic purchase and the agreement that will see housing and retail development on surrounding property.
  • Chris Kydd is the Associate Publisher of The Coast News Group. Despite the challenges facing newspapers, this regional paper has not only thrived but expanded coverage over the past few years.  We’ll ask Chris what factors have led to their success and his future plans for the newspaper.

Stay informed by staying tuned to KOCT in 2017. Happy New Year








Wednesday, December 21, 2016

KOCT Christmas Past

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

1992 Voice of Oceanside Mayor Bagley Host Tim Aldrich and crew


KOCT began in the early 1980’s and many students, volunteers and employees have contributed to our community television station and programs over those many years .  We have also  celebrated many Christmas’s at KOCT with joyful potluck celebrations and ugly Christmas sweaters (you know who you are).
Ugly Sweater Contest


We hope you enjoy this nostalgic look back and we think you might also enjoy some of KOCT’s classic Christmas programs which we are playing on Channel 18 & 19 throughout the month of December. Just go to SCHEDULE at KOCT.ORG and have a Merry Christmas!



Cheers!



Chow Line






KOCT Gift Exchange


Look who got the chocolate.

The good stuff!






Tom with Santa and Elf





Merry Christmas!




Thursday, December 8, 2016

North County Corridor

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

The KOCT News Brief crew traveled to Encinitas recently to document a major development in regional transportation that will have a positive affect on drivers, bicyclists, walkers and train passengers.  On Tuesday, November 29th, local, state and federal officials met at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center in Cardiff for a historic groundbreaking event. 
The $700 million dollar project will widen the I-5 bridge that crosses the lagoon and add double-tracking to the railroad bridges.  There will be 10 miles of new bike paths and pedestrian walkways and improvements to the lagoon.
You’ll definitely notice this massive project when you travel this corridor so find out what it’s all about in KOCT’s new News Brief.


Swearing In to be Live on KOCT

KOCT’s City Council Camera Crew will provide ‘live’ coverage of next week’s Swearing-In-Ceremony from the Oceanside City Council chambers. The event will be on Wednesday, December 14th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on KOCT’s Channel 19, or watch via our streaming service on your smart phone, tablet or computer.