GOVERNOR PATRICK HIGHLIGHTS LAUNCH OF STATEWIDE TV NETWORK

“MassTV” Will Make State Video Available for Community Television

BOSTON – Wednesday, January 14, 2009 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined legislators and representatives from Massachusetts community access television stations to celebrate the launch of an independent online video network – MassTV – that will allow hundreds of community access television stations to share and access state video content.

“This is another way for communities, and, most importantly, citizens to get involved in their state government,” said Governor Patrick. “We will use this free network to help spread information about what we are doing on Beacon Hill and how it affects residents from around Massachusetts.”

The Governor’s Office and MassAccess – the Massachusetts Chapter of the Alliance for Community Media – worked together to develop the network, which allows local television access centers to broadcast videos produced by Massachusetts state agencies, non-profit organizations, and federal and state legislators through an innovative video sharing site.

“This has been an amazing collaboration,” said Bill Nay, Committee Chair of MassAccess and Director of Shrewsbury Local Media. “Governor Patrick and his staff are truly committed to fostering civic engagement efforts in the Commonwealth, and community television is here to help.”

Along with providing broadcast-ready videos to local access centers, “MassTV” offers a streaming size video for citizens on their Web site (www.mymasstv.org) free of charge. More than 100,000 subscribers of local access television stations are already receiving programming from the MassAccess test Web site. There are an estimated two million subscribers to local cable access channels across the state.

“MassTV” is a civic network connecting local media, municipalities and Massachusetts citizens to provide citizens a better window into the progress and activities of state government.