I spoke too soon! The MCTV website has been upgraded & re-vamped, and looks very good. There is also a more comprehensive schedule. Now if they could just allow non-MCTV additions to their program line-up, it would be great!
They seem rather stagnant, though they have been running a few new programs in the past week or so (at least new to me), including an ad or program about Sonrisas Dental Clinic. Perhaps someone at the station is reading these posts? The MCTV website is abysmal, most of it “Under Construction”. No program schedule listed. A quote from their History page notes: “Creativity is encouraged, and the content restraints placed on the producers are clearly explained in MCTV’s guidelines.” Does that just mean not to offer anything TOO creative?
I would watch them! People love to know about the history of their town. It would be a boon especially for those who don’t read books or access the internet.
I have watched the programs on MCTV. I was interested in that show about the Ocean Shore Railroad on MCTV. Though the production values were dismal, (especially the horrible sound), I gleaned what I could from it, and was frustrated that there aren’t more local shows that go into the history of this area.
I watched one production on the Chamarita which could have been great, if produced well. After the first showing, one wants more - but with BETTER sound & images. I watched the one on Galen Wolf, with our friend Enid Emde, discussing his living in Frenchman’s Creek, but the sound was so bad, that it almost hurt to watch/listen.
I enjoyed watching some of the 4th of July parade from years ago, but wanted more. You just get the feeling that you are viewing this stuff from inside an empty coke bottle. Why does it have to be that way?
Until reading these postings in Coastsider, I hadn’t understood why it was that our local tv station was so lame. I just thought that nobody was interested. Sad that the ivory tower mentality operating at MCTV is ruining what could be a great asset for our community.
The internet is a wonderful thing - I use & contribute to it every day. But I know many people who don’t use the net, and have no use for it. Television, as old a medium as it is, still carried impact, when you have worthwhile programing.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had a local tv channel that reflects the diversity and talent that is ignored so far by the present administration at MCTV?
Hi June,
Carl May has a point about the quality of production values, etc. Though content is most often a matter of taste - and therefore more difficult to ascertain as to what offerings are “view-worthy” - meaning that you have to have good sound, picture, etc. for someone to sit there & watch.
I have a lot of videos uploaded to my YouTube (Debwong), but only some reach into the thousands in viewings. YouTube is not perfect, either. I finally sprung for my own program to create my own flash videos, as YouTube not only censors some material, but has a requirement about the length of the video posted.
I will say that YouTube’s META tags are great, as they bring those who are interested in your material to you. Put what you want in the search engine, and you have a selection of what interests you. Also, viewers select the videos that have the best quality & content - thus the rating system on YouTube.
I like the idea extended to our local television station - PUBLIC Access - but I also know how bureaucracies work. Given that MCTV is government funded (at least in part), and has to adhere to some standards, red tape might follow. If we have the patience, however, videos with quality production values and interest to our community are achievable, in my view.
Reading June’s comment, I agree that the internet is a lovely place to exhibit your artwork, movies, etc. I have been doing just that since 1999 (put the name “Deb Wong” in the search engines - over half will be my sites). This doesn’t mean that we can’t have BOTH, though - right? As June also said, cable may be some people’s only form of entertainment. Not everyone has or is into computers. Small towns don’t have to equate to small minds or expectations.
I think that Carl has a point. There are many talented and creative people in our community, who could contribute to our local station. We als have our own “characters” - and I mean that in the best way.
However, since I am a more recent resident of the Half Moon Bay area, having moved here just 8 years ago, perhaps I am not as aware about the politics of the power behind the media on the coast(I grew up in Pacifica, where we had our own politics).
It is easy to become discouraged when one keeps being turned down by a small group who hold the keys, so to speak. I just think that if we keep expecting mediocrity, that is just what we will get.
I see nothing wrong in having visions of something better, considering the possibility that we can produce stimulating, informative, exciting, entertaining programs that our locals have produced.
Meanwhile, MCTV’s call letters should be changed to “ZZZZ”, to reflect its current programing.
Perhaps I’m naive, but I always thought that Community Television should reflect the diversity and varied interests of its community. The only way for that to happen is for station owners/managers to offer a viable forum for the locals - irrespective of the personal tastes or opinions of said management.
Public Access can be a good thing, if handled properly. Years ago, my daughter’s (award winning) film short “Daydream Believer” was shown on Redwood City’s public access station, which got the attention of KQED, where she was interviewed and had her film shown, as well.
A station has more credibility with not only its own community but with others too, when there is varied input of programming. I hate to sound negative, but MCTV has become somewhat of a joke, and even worse, BORING. It doesn’t have to be.
I do appreciate some of the programming that has been shown on Channel 6, but after the first several viewings, I longed for something FRESH, and maybe different.
Have Jeff Clark do something like “The Surf Report”, in a fun and interesting way. Have locals who have a little knowledge of their vocations give short lessons, etc. The possibilities are limitless. I want a video of the painter who paints Old Paint, the Lemos Horse - painting the horse! Well, it isn’t for everyone - but have a little something for everyone. That way, if a local businesses are represented, they can advertise the station at their business - it can help everyone.
MCTV offers next-to-nothing for local viewers. All we see are old re-runs of videos made in the 80s & 90s...over & over & over again - or poorly-made videos of public meetings with bad sound & lighting. If it were off the air, who would notice its absence?
One might think that Ms. Malach would welcome new videos, fresh material, viewers contributions (as there are with many local stations around the country that we have seen). But I guess if MCTV works for her “as-is”, she has no motivation to change the status quo.
We’re looking forward to the Farmer’s Market returning to Shoreline Station - not just because it’s good for OUR business, too - but we have also enjoyed the selections we have found at the market! - Deb & Mike Wong, Spring Mountain Gallery
Incredible...and I see a lot of incredible photos. GREAT shot!
Not sure if Lambert is right that the letter from Mickelson was “much ado about nothing”. The letter writer seems to be harboring a lot of rage. He also appears slightly unstable, with the letter bordering on harrassment. We do not need people like this in public service. The sentiments written on the letter have “loose canon” written all over them.
That is one FAT hawk! Must be good eatin’s ‘round those parts.
BEAUTIFUL photo! Thank you for sharing.
YES!!!!! and THANK YOU!
WOW! Is that on Mars...or.....? Looks almost unearthly, but beautiful.
Good for Evan & Tim! That chick is a beautiful bird, should now be flying around soon.....a garage is no place for a bird.
What a creative and productive way to use Barbie Dolls!
BEAUTIFUL shots, Elizabeth! One way to make something that lasts a few seconds live forever. Our thanks too to the American Legion for bringing back the *big* fireworks!
Wow, we were there, too, but got a whole different vantage point from the pier. I got some video clips, too, which are more...er...indicative of our location and vantage point. There were a couple of loud, pretty blasted spectators who can be heard on the clips. One guy just kept yelling: “BOOM!” after every rocket was shot off. So, for awhile there, it was just: “Boom! Boom! Boom!”, then he yelled: “That’s Independence, Baby!”
Some people on a boat lit up a bunch of M80s right in front of us, to the delight of the onlookers. There were police sirens all around, trying their best to quence the numerous illegal fireworks displays. At one point when we got bored by the official display, we turned around to watch the Yacht Club’s annual show.
I think that our trouble is that we try, try, try not to compare, but after seeing the annual Kaboom fireworks shows, all else pales in comparison. We really do appreciate the job done by HMB, though. Got us out of the house.
Barry Parr: Ray, you’re welcome to disagree, but please be civil. Posted 05/17 at 10:08am in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Kevin J. Lansing: Following up on Anneliese’s post. It is critical for those opposed to AB 1991 to… Posted 05/17 at 9:47am in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Francis Drouillard: I would encourage Kevin, Ray and Steven to learn more about the Coastal Act and… Posted 05/17 at 9:16am in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Anneliese Agren: Understood Ken. It’s important to give definition to the difference of genuine debate here, versus… Posted 05/17 at 5:35am in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Ken Johnson: Anneliese, Maybe you are right - I always thought of him as a turnip. But… Posted 05/17 at 1:51am in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Ray Olson: Carl.. I’m just reading more pretentious discourse from someone that may not be living in… Posted 05/16 at 10:36pm in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Carl May: Ray, Let’s pretend you are as confused about the basics of ecological matters as your… Posted 05/16 at 10:16pm in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Anneliese Agren: Ray Olson is a troll. Posted 05/16 at 8:40pm in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Ray Olson: Oh Carl, it only took you a day for to write your VERY verbose, pompous,… Posted 05/16 at 8:33pm in Local Government Committee passes AB1991 -- next stop: Appropriations Committee
Carl May: It doesn’t hold true in all cases, but damage to natural features and values in… Posted 05/16 at 7:11pm in Opinion: Money is need for for Midcoast parks -- could Parks For The Future help?
