What is RCTV?

RCTV’s Mission

RCTV (Reading Community Television) Studios is a member-supported source for public, education, and government access programming on issues and activities that reflect the expression of diverse community voices. RCTV Studios serves as a medium for member-produced programming to express opinions and ideas. As a center of learning, RCTV Studios provides comprehensive hands-on training for its members and students in cooperation with Reading schools. Since RCTV Studios’ success depends on the contributions of its members for content, we encourage and welcome the community’s active participation. RCTV is dedicated to Reading, serving the community for over 30 years with dedication, compassion, and local expertise.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH READING SCHOOLS

How is RCTV working with the Reading school system?
For over 25 years, RCTV has partnered with the Reading school system to offer classes at the high school. Five classes per semester are offered at RMHS, taught by a dedicated teacher with formal training in TV and film production. Classes include Film Production, TV Production, and Broadcasting. Each class accommodates 20 students (200 per school year), and there are typically waitlists for these classes. In addition to formal classes, the RCTV school program offers flex block and after-school areas for students across the school to come, collaborate, and decompress.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

What does RCTV offer during the summer break?
For more than 15 years, RCTV has been offering summer workshops to students in Reading and the surrounding communities, serving those aged 10-18. Our programs range from one-week courses in video production to multi-week programs focusing on film production. Each summer is unique, tailored to the community’s needs and the interests of our students.

What does RCTV do for membership classes?

RCTV offers ongoing classes for all members in areas (but not limited to):

  • Studio Production including camera, audio, and lighting
  • DSLR Training for video
  • DSLR Photography
  • Remote Production for single and multi-camera
  • Editing and post-production
  • Podcast Content Creating – RCTV has the equipment to support Podcast creation. This service has not been requested by any of our members. We will begin advertising this capability.

STUDIO SPACES & FACILITIES

What studio spaces does RCTV have available for filming?
RCTV is located at 131 Main Street in Reading, where it has space available for smaller production, recording, and editing. Larger spaces include the RMHS high school studio, and RCTV can help volunteers coordinate other public spaces such as the Library and Senior Center.

Why did RCTV recently move offices? What studio space is available for use?
In 2024, RCTV’s lease at its former space expired, and the rent increased significantly. For a cost comparison, our final monthly rental payment at our downtown studio was $10,170.16, and our first rental payment for our new office location was $1,600 (a savings of over $8,500 a month). We still maintain our studio at RMHS and have other facilities and equipment available for use by our community members should they wish to create content for air. Instead of simply renewing, RCTV reviewed various other options and decided to downsize to a smaller space at the new office located at 131 Main Street in Reading.

Part of this decision was based upon the fact that recording equipment has become smaller, more mobile, and easier to set up, and so volunteers were opting to use spaces other than the large studio to record their content. Reducing the studio space allows RCTV to save on annual rent and instead allocate that money to more important factors that contribute to a good production, such as state-of-the-art equipment and more flexible hours for volunteers to pick up, use, edit with, and return equipment. Budget has also been set aside to help rent alternative space should the public areas, such as the Library and Senior Center, not be viable options for our members. RCTV has a three-year lease on its current space and will review how the space meets the needs of the membership as the lease progresses. Ultimately, RCTV is so much more than a physical studio; much of the footage is recorded on-site, where the action is happening.

Studio Availability
RCTV has aligned numerous venues to be available as required for filming sites/studios, including:

  • RMHS Studio
  • Reading Public Library Community Room
  • Reading Senior Center
  • Colonial Chorus
  • St. Athanasius & St. Agnes’ Multi-purpose Rooms

PROGRAMMING

Where can I view RCTV content?

FiosXfinity
Public: Channel 31Public: Channel 9
Educational: Channel 32Educational: Channel 6
Government: Channel 33Government: Channel 22
High Definition: Channel 2131

Online:

What programming does RCTV produce?
RCTV is a member-driven non-profit. Nearly all of the content RCTV releases is generated by volunteer members who produce content they find to be of value to the community. RCTV focuses on offering three main types of content, collectively known as PEG (Public, Educational, and Government Access Television). In addition to covering various government meetings for which RCTV is often known, we are committed to providing an outlet for our members to produce and share locally produced content with the Reading community. RCTV helps bring awareness, education, and fun about the community to the folks of Reading.

Additional examples of programming that RCTV has helped cover over the past year (2024-2025):

  • Juneteenth
  • Porchfest
  • The Right to Read Presentation
  • Veterans’ Day Parade
  • Menorah Lighting
  • Festival of Trees
  • MLK Celebration
  • Reading Arts Fest
  • Student Concerts
  • Badge Pinning for Reading Fire and Police
  • Reading Memorial Day Parade
  • High School Promenade
  • RMHS Sports: Hockey, Football, Basketball, etc.
  • Local Organizations: Reading Community Singers, Reading Symphony Orchestra, etc.

GOVERNMENT MEETING COVERAGE

Government meetings that RCTV contractually covers:

  • Town Meeting
  • Select Board
  • School Committee
  • RMLD
  • Board of Health
  • FinCom
  • CPDC
  • ZBA
  • ConsCom

Additional government meeting coverage that is often covered by RCTV upon request:

  • Council on Aging
  • Board of Library
  • ReCalc
  • Permanent Building
  • Killam Building Committee
  • Pleasant Street Center Forum
  • MBTA Forum
  • Recreation Committee
  • Capital Projects Public Forum
  • Birch Meadow Phase II

FUNDING & FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

How is RCTV funded?
RCTV’s primary source of revenue is funding provided by the town cable companies (Comcast and Verizon). Massachusetts law requires cable companies to collect a portion of each TV subscriber’s fees and pass them along to the respective town, which then disseminates them to an organization of their choosing to manage the PEG initiatives. RCTV has been the Town of Reading’s designated provider for over 30 years. The revenue is only tied to sales of cable television services, not Internet providers. Therefore, fees collected over time have decreased as people “cut the cord” and move to only internet-related services.

The state of Massachusetts is considering adapting the law to require Internet subscribers to pay a PEG fee. However, for now, RCTV’s board must plan using the allocated budget related to TV subscribers. Recently, RCTV downsized its TV studio lease to help significantly reduce overhead costs, ensuring the organization remains viable and able to offer the services the town needs, primarily staff, training, and new equipment. We have a budget that is sustainable on the current projected financial trajectory for the next five-plus years, and are considering alternative sources of funding to help offset (or increase) revenues to help ensure RCTV remains viable for years to come.

Fundraising
RCTV has had numerous fundraisers in the past, including our ongoing “membership fee” and donation program. In 2024, we focused our efforts on cost savings and arranged to save more per month (over $8K/month!) than our fundraisers ever achieved combined within a year.
Here are some of the fundraisers we are implementing:

  • Strengthen our Sponsor Recognition / Donation campaign
  • Quarterly “Dine-out for Dollars” at generous, selective Reading Restaurants
  • Trivia Night (potential content streaming of this on air)
  • Karaoke Night (potential content while streaming this on air)

CONTRACT STATUS & FUTURE PLANS

When does RCTV’s contract with the Town of Reading expire?
The current contract between RCTV and the Town of Reading is a five-year renewal, expiring on June 30, 2025. RCTV looks forward to working with the town to negotiate a renewal so we can continue to offer the great services we provide. Multi-year renewals help ensure RCTV has the ability to plan and fund what it needs to continue providing services to the Town of Reading, the Reading school system, and the broader Reading community.

What is at risk if RCTV’s contract is not renewed?
RCTV provides the following to the town, all of which are at jeopardy if the contract is not renewed:

  • Guaranteed coverage of important town meetings, including the Select Board, Town Meeting, and Finance Committee
  • Employment of five full-time staff members and several part-time staff members, many of whom are residents of Reading
  • Employment of a teacher for RMHS who provides classes to over 200 students a year
  • Community-wide opportunities to learn technology, share passions, and build connection

What is the future of Public Access TV?

  • Continue Best Practices Cross Talks with surrounding PEG stations
  • Initiate a Technology Steering Committee made up of RMHS students, college students, and RCTV members to investigate and suggest potential new programs, technology, content, and initiatives

Takeaways from the May 27, 2025, Select Board MeetingAt the May 27th, 2025, Select Board meeting, the Select Board presented several ideas on how RCTV can better serve the town of Reading.

Here are a few takeaways and actions from the recent discussions with Select Board members and the Town Manager:

  • Focus on cost savings while maintaining programming
  • Explore new fundraising efforts and content partnerships
  • Continue engaging with the community for feedback and support

RCTV thanks the Select Board for their feedback and looks forward to working with the Town to continue improving over time.

Older Posts