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
