The Plainfield Television Group is
ending its weekly regularly scheduled
two-hour magazine-style public interest
program, which is currently shown five
times weekly on the community cable
channel 6.
“We have tried to continue to maintain
the schedule, but since our loss of
Village support in December it has
been an uphill battle,” said Executive
Director Jack Heimerdinger. “We
thank members of our viewing
audience for their generous private
contributions. That’s what has kept us
going for the past 10 months. And of
course, a big thanks to all of our
volunteers who have given their time
and talent over the last 5 years.”
Revenue coming from cable franchise
fees paid to the Village was the only
source of operating money for the
Group. In December 2009 the Village
of Plainfield ended its financial support
due to budget considerations and
policy conflicts.
“We are developing a new once a
month discussion format, that will allow
us to continue to use television to
focus on important issues facing our
community,” said Terry Burghard, host
of his show 59minutes. “With the
elections coming up, we all feel it is
important to give candidates a
television form,” said Alstrom. “The
end of the weekly program does not
mean the end of the Plainfield
Television Group. We all want to
continue if we can.”
“Another major concern is the size of
the audience. Cable TV isn’t what is
used to be,” said Heimerdinger. The
Group conducted a telephone survey
to randomly chosen Plainfield
households. The results showed,
since March, fewer people were
watching the Group’s programming,
and even less watched the Village
Board meetings than earlier. “We
think this is a fair barometer of local
viewing habits. Since March hits to our
website also have also dropped
significantly this adds credibility to the
study.”
For more than five years the Group’s
volunteers have created hundreds of
hours of original local television
programming. Broadcasts included
interviews, community events,
discussions, election information,
profiles, and opinion. A very popular
segment has been a weekly
cooperative program with the Plainfield
Humane Society that has been finding
new homes for cats and dogs.
“We have had fun doing television,
and are proud of the unique things we’
ve done,” said volunteer and
commentator Bill Alstrom. The Group
has participated in the celebrated
Veterans History Project created by
Library of Congress and recorded the
experiences and recollections of area
veterans with in-depth interviews which
are now part
of their permanent collection. These
interviews as well as other programs
can be seen at: Plainfiedtv.com.
The Group launched P-SPAN, which
allowed viewers across the country
and the world to view on their
computers the weekly program,
Plainfield’s governmental meetings,
and other channel 6 broadcasts. “We
were one of a few volunteer operations
in the country to offer this web-based
service. It is expensive, and we just
can not afford to continue this service,”
said Heimerdinger. Also gone is the
popular “Speed Bump Cam,” a
webcam showing the goings and
comings on Lockport Street.
Education producer Susan Paskvan
said, “I really had fun talking to people
at parades, Plainfield fest and other
community events. And I got to
interview an Olympic Champion, Lisa
Chesson! I’ll miss the challenge of
Plainfield TV.” Marie Ornelas, who
directed many productions said, “I
really appreciated the opportunity to
meet so many community leaders and I’
ll miss the Saturday morning taping
sessions.”
Unlike many surrounding community
television operations with paid staffs,
the Group is made-up of volunteers
who give their time, creativity, and
talent freely. Many have worked in
broadcasting professionally, others
simply like the idea of producing
television programs. The financial
uncertainty and the reduced Village
support have crimped the group’s
enthusiasm according to Heimerdinger.
“We have been looking for funding for
the past eleven months, but finding
someone who will sponsor us is tough
during the economic downturn,” said
Don Brown, the Funding Chairman.
“Unfortunately contributions from
viewers haven’t been enough to keep
us going.” The Group’s website, where
many of the more popular programs
can be viewed, will continue. The
Group will try to maintain its studio
facilities but without adequate funding
that may be a problem.
“It has been an exciting 5-year run,”
said Executive Produce Liz Fenton,
“we have gone from our garage and a
hodge-podge of out-of-date TV
equipment to a real functioning
television studio where we created
many memorable programs. “
Heimerdinger is philosophical, “Ending
is an inherent part of television. It just
maybe time to turn off the lights and
fade to black.”
ending its weekly regularly scheduled
two-hour magazine-style public interest
program, which is currently shown five
times weekly on the community cable
channel 6.
“We have tried to continue to maintain
the schedule, but since our loss of
Village support in December it has
been an uphill battle,” said Executive
Director Jack Heimerdinger. “We
thank members of our viewing
audience for their generous private
contributions. That’s what has kept us
going for the past 10 months. And of
course, a big thanks to all of our
volunteers who have given their time
and talent over the last 5 years.”
Revenue coming from cable franchise
fees paid to the Village was the only
source of operating money for the
Group. In December 2009 the Village
of Plainfield ended its financial support
due to budget considerations and
policy conflicts.
“We are developing a new once a
month discussion format, that will allow
us to continue to use television to
focus on important issues facing our
community,” said Terry Burghard, host
of his show 59minutes. “With the
elections coming up, we all feel it is
important to give candidates a
television form,” said Alstrom. “The
end of the weekly program does not
mean the end of the Plainfield
Television Group. We all want to
continue if we can.”
“Another major concern is the size of
the audience. Cable TV isn’t what is
used to be,” said Heimerdinger. The
Group conducted a telephone survey
to randomly chosen Plainfield
households. The results showed,
since March, fewer people were
watching the Group’s programming,
and even less watched the Village
Board meetings than earlier. “We
think this is a fair barometer of local
viewing habits. Since March hits to our
website also have also dropped
significantly this adds credibility to the
study.”
For more than five years the Group’s
volunteers have created hundreds of
hours of original local television
programming. Broadcasts included
interviews, community events,
discussions, election information,
profiles, and opinion. A very popular
segment has been a weekly
cooperative program with the Plainfield
Humane Society that has been finding
new homes for cats and dogs.
“We have had fun doing television,
and are proud of the unique things we’
ve done,” said volunteer and
commentator Bill Alstrom. The Group
has participated in the celebrated
Veterans History Project created by
Library of Congress and recorded the
experiences and recollections of area
veterans with in-depth interviews which
are now part
of their permanent collection. These
interviews as well as other programs
can be seen at: Plainfiedtv.com.
The Group launched P-SPAN, which
allowed viewers across the country
and the world to view on their
computers the weekly program,
Plainfield’s governmental meetings,
and other channel 6 broadcasts. “We
were one of a few volunteer operations
in the country to offer this web-based
service. It is expensive, and we just
can not afford to continue this service,”
said Heimerdinger. Also gone is the
popular “Speed Bump Cam,” a
webcam showing the goings and
comings on Lockport Street.
Education producer Susan Paskvan
said, “I really had fun talking to people
at parades, Plainfield fest and other
community events. And I got to
interview an Olympic Champion, Lisa
Chesson! I’ll miss the challenge of
Plainfield TV.” Marie Ornelas, who
directed many productions said, “I
really appreciated the opportunity to
meet so many community leaders and I’
ll miss the Saturday morning taping
sessions.”
Unlike many surrounding community
television operations with paid staffs,
the Group is made-up of volunteers
who give their time, creativity, and
talent freely. Many have worked in
broadcasting professionally, others
simply like the idea of producing
television programs. The financial
uncertainty and the reduced Village
support have crimped the group’s
enthusiasm according to Heimerdinger.
“We have been looking for funding for
the past eleven months, but finding
someone who will sponsor us is tough
during the economic downturn,” said
Don Brown, the Funding Chairman.
“Unfortunately contributions from
viewers haven’t been enough to keep
us going.” The Group’s website, where
many of the more popular programs
can be viewed, will continue. The
Group will try to maintain its studio
facilities but without adequate funding
that may be a problem.
“It has been an exciting 5-year run,”
said Executive Produce Liz Fenton,
“we have gone from our garage and a
hodge-podge of out-of-date TV
equipment to a real functioning
television studio where we created
many memorable programs. “
Heimerdinger is philosophical, “Ending
is an inherent part of television. It just
maybe time to turn off the lights and
fade to black.”
| The Plainfield Television Group to End Weekly Program |
| PRESS RELEASE |
