Mad River Valley Television

 

The Mad River Valley is a unique place with a lot to recommend it to residents and visitors. Instrumental in capturing and sharing the many facets of the region is Mad River Valley Television, one of 25 public access TV centers in Vermont. “We are a platform for folks to contribute to,” says Keith Berkelhamer, executive director. “We are all about free speech, about transparency and visibility in local meetings.” The station sends camera people to meetings and the events are re-broadcast.

 

MRVTV has an important digital presence with over 6,000 subscribers on YouTube and over 9,000 Facebook fans. There is a popular covered bridge webcam on YouTube that, over the past 12 months, has attracted more than 1 million views. “It is important to us to have this big digital presence,” says Keith. “Traditional public access programs came from cable. We are expanding beyond that audience with a strong digital footprint.”

In addition to broadcasting meetings, MRVTV offers some nontraditional public access TV, such as livestreaming events and programs. A livestreamed show at Mad River Glen in 2019 won an award. A big livestream event this year is the celebrated Warren July Fourth Parade, canceled for the first time in about 70 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In its honor, the station is dipping into the archives for a YouTube marathon on July 3–4 of 18 years of the event. “It’s a virtual Warren Fourth of July Parade,” Keith says. “We have to pivot quickly because we’re in strange times.”

 

Community members are encouraged to contribute clips and other local news. There are cameras people can check out for free.

 

MRVTV is a nonprofit so fundraising is vitally important. Livestreaming raises money, as do production services. Another source of funds is underwriters. Visit MRVTV.com for ongoing information about virtual fundraising events this summer and how to donate. The link to donate is MRVTV.com/donate.

 Mad River Valley Television

5031 Main Street

Waitsfield, VT

mrvtv.com