Frequently Asked
Questions
& Policies.
Questions
& Policies.
FAQ.
do i have to be in groton to watch the groton channel?
No!
While you do need to be in Groton or a neighboring community to tune into the Groton Channel and Groton Government channels on your television, our online and application platforms allow you to watch live and On Demand content from anywhere in the world!
Click here to watch live or click here to learn more about our Cablecast Screenweave app that you can download to any of your smart devices.
While you do need to be in Groton or a neighboring community to tune into the Groton Channel and Groton Government channels on your television, our online and application platforms allow you to watch live and On Demand content from anywhere in the world!
Click here to watch live or click here to learn more about our Cablecast Screenweave app that you can download to any of your smart devices.
DO I NEED A MEMBERSHIP IN ORDER TO WATCH THE GROTON CHANNEL?
No membership is needed to enjoy our content!
You can watch on your television, online, or from any of your smart devices without the need to pay for additional services.
You can watch on your television, online, or from any of your smart devices without the need to pay for additional services.
HOW IS THE GROTON CHANNEL FUNDED?
The Groton Channel is fully funded through the license agreements the Town of Groton has with the two cable TV providers in town, Charter and Verizon. This is thanks to the Cable Act of 1984. Click here to learn more.
CAN I MAKE MY OWN TV SHOW?
Yes you can!
Any Groton resident can have their very own TV Show!
Have an idea? Let us know!
Click here to learn more about the process.
Any Groton resident can have their very own TV Show!
Have an idea? Let us know!
Click here to learn more about the process.
CAN I GET A COPY OF A PROGRAM I SAW ON THE CHANNEL?
Yes!
We can make DVD copies of almost every program that appears (or has appeared) on the channel.
There is a $15 fee per DVD.
Alternatively, most of our current programming can be found On Demand and most of our older programming can be found on Archive.org.
Videos on both of these sites can be downloaded to your own devices.
We can make DVD copies of almost every program that appears (or has appeared) on the channel.
There is a $15 fee per DVD.
Alternatively, most of our current programming can be found On Demand and most of our older programming can be found on Archive.org.
Videos on both of these sites can be downloaded to your own devices.
HOW DO I GET A FINISHED PROGRAM SHOWN ON THE GROTON CHANNEL?
If you are a resident of Groton and there is a show that you would like to see on The Groton Channel, we'd be more than happy to work with you to get it airing on The Groton Channel!
It just needs to meet our guidelines and a sponsorship agreement must be completed.
All you need to do is let us know about the program you're interested in and fill out a Cablecast Request form (found here) and you either drop off it off at the studio or send a copy to us and
It just needs to meet our guidelines and a sponsorship agreement must be completed.
All you need to do is let us know about the program you're interested in and fill out a Cablecast Request form (found here) and you either drop off it off at the studio or send a copy to us and
I'M HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A SPECIFIC PROGRAM OR MEETING. WHERE SHOULD I LOOK?
Navigation tabs located at the top of the page can help you find our live and On Demand content. From those locations, you can watch the channel live online, or search through our On Demand library. There is a search bar located at the top of the page to help you find a specific program.
Because our library is so extensive (due to being around for over 20 years) we have had to organize our older programs onto Archive.org.
This is a process that is still on going and some programs may not have made it to their new home yet.
If you cannot find your program there, you can contact us at (978) 448-3796 or by emailing [email protected] and we will do our best to help you track down the program and access it.
Because our library is so extensive (due to being around for over 20 years) we have had to organize our older programs onto Archive.org.
This is a process that is still on going and some programs may not have made it to their new home yet.
If you cannot find your program there, you can contact us at (978) 448-3796 or by emailing [email protected] and we will do our best to help you track down the program and access it.
DO YOU OFFER PAID OPPORTUNITIES OR INTERNSHIPS?
We do offer freelance opportunities for committee meeting coverage, as well as summer internships for those who are interested.
CAN I GET INVOLVED WITHOUT having to MAKe MY OWN SHOW?
Absolutely! We are always looking for volunteers for a variety of projects and events.
Click here to learn more about how you can contribute to your local community access station.
Click here to learn more about how you can contribute to your local community access station.
WHERE IS THE STUDIO LOCATED?
We are located on the lower floor of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School - 703 Chicopee Row, Groton MA.
CAN THE GROTON CHANNEL HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT?
We have helped many people spread the word about various town events, whether it be by helping them put together a Public Service Announcement-style video that we air on our channel, adding the event information to our weekly Community Calendar video, or by adding the event information (or flyer) to our "carousel" rotation that plays in-between programming.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT LISTED HERE.
If you have a question that is not listed here, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to help!
Call us at (978) 448-3796 or send an email to [email protected]
Call us at (978) 448-3796 or send an email to [email protected]
POLICIES.
We are currently working on updating our studio policies. Information may be updated periodically and additional policies may be put in place.
equipment/facilities usage policy
To use Access equipment and/or facilities, a person must:
- Be a resident of Groton, be a student of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, or be working with a Groton producer.
- Use the equipment/facilities for the creation of non-commercial programming for cablecast on the access channels.
- Be certified by the Groton Channel to operate the specific equipment.
- Sign the appropriate checkout form for each usage, taking full responsibility for the care of the equipment being used, and the actions of crew and/or guests. If the Access user is a minor, then a parent must sign.
- Access user will be billed, at the discretion of the Program Director, for any costs to repair or replace equipment that is not returned in the condition in which it was checked out or used within the studio environment.
- Equipment is available on a first-come first-served basis. Efforts to accommodate other users are appreciated.
- Equipment is not available for rent.
- In the course of access productions, a user shall not represent to any party that they, or any other person involved, represents Groton Cable Access in any manner.
POLICY ON ACCESS TO RAW FOOTAGE
Groton Cable Access does not typically save raw (unedited) footage, as it is impractical in terms of storage and administrative time. However, in rare instances someone from the community may seek access to such media for their own purposes. To that end, the Cable Advisory Committee has adopted the following policy:
Notes:
- Raw footage will only be made available after the project for which it was acquired has been completed and is ready for broadcast.
- Local non-profit groups and news organizations should contact the Groton Channel to request an appointment to view or transfer raw footage no later than 72 hours following the project's completion. *Parties will be required to sign a license agreement before footage can be made available. (Click here for the Indemnification Agreement For Raw Footage form)
- For-profit groups may negotiate a fee to access the footage following the same requirements stated above. This would be determined on a case-by-case basis, factoring in the length of the footage and its content. *Parties will be required to sign a license agreement.
Notes:
- If the request for raw footage is not made prior to the completion of the project, there is no guarantee the footage will still be available.
- All Groton Channel equipment may only be used for projects that will appear on The Groton Channel.
- Public Access Producers retain rights to any footage they have produced. If independent producers acquire footage with the purpose of making money, they must work out an agreement with The Groton Channel in advance. A license agreement outlining the use of the footage will be required. Signed releases for individuals and property may be required.
POLICY on coverage of government meetings
HIGHEST PRIORITY: Groton Cable Access will devote all possible resources, including the efforts of volunteers, paid freelancers, and/or staff to ensure coverage of the following public meetings:
HIGH PRIOIRTY: Groton Cable Access will attempt to provide coverage through the efforts of volunteers, paid freelancers, and/or staff to ensure coverage of the following public meetings:
OTHER: Groton Cable Access will attempt to find volunteers to insure the coverage of the following public meetings:
Note: Two weeks notice is required to provide time to find volunteers and reserve equipment.
*All residents are permitted and encouraged to become certified in the use of our field equipment so that they may cover meetings themselves.
- Town Meeting
- Select Board Meetings
- Board of Health Meetings
- Conservation Commission Meetings
- School Committee Meetings
- Planning Board Meetings
HIGH PRIOIRTY: Groton Cable Access will attempt to provide coverage through the efforts of volunteers, paid freelancers, and/or staff to ensure coverage of the following public meetings:
- Any meetings that directly address items the public will be voting on
- Any meeting formally requested by the chair of a Town Board/Committee
OTHER: Groton Cable Access will attempt to find volunteers to insure the coverage of the following public meetings:
- Meetings requested by Town residents
Note: Two weeks notice is required to provide time to find volunteers and reserve equipment.
*All residents are permitted and encouraged to become certified in the use of our field equipment so that they may cover meetings themselves.
POlitical programming on the groton channel
In keeping with its mission to provide an open forum for free speech and a neutral political forum in order to educate and inform Groton residents about political candidates and issues on the ballot, The Groton Channel encourages political discussion of issues and candidates. To inform candidates of this opportunity to inform voters, the Town Clerk's office will provide copies of this information to any resident who returns papers indicating their plans to run for elected office.
The Groton Channel does not differentiate between political programming and other public access programing, with the exception that the Channel will make every reasonable effort to provide equal exposure for all candidates and political viewpoints.
The following existing Cable Access policies should be kept in mind when producing political programming:
In order to allow time for production and scheduling, producers of political programing are asked to contact The Groton Channel two months before an election by calling (978) 448-3796 or by emailing [email protected]
The Groton Channel does not differentiate between political programming and other public access programing, with the exception that the Channel will make every reasonable effort to provide equal exposure for all candidates and political viewpoints.
The following existing Cable Access policies should be kept in mind when producing political programming:
- Political programs can be provided to the Groton Channel. Candidates and other producers of political programming may also use the Groton Channel studio facilities and equipment, and Groton Channel staff are available to provide technical assistance.
- All programs must be produced or sponsored by residents of the Town of Groton and accompanied by a Cablecast Request Form (which can be found here.)
In order to allow time for production and scheduling, producers of political programing are asked to contact The Groton Channel two months before an election by calling (978) 448-3796 or by emailing [email protected]