Keeping local for the locals: Your Marblehead Community Access and Media Inc.

The MHTV team, from left, programming manager Jon Caswell, production manager James Maroney, executive director Joan Goloboy, outreach coordinator Pam Evans, and Photo by Spenser Hasak

Marblehead Community Access and Media, Inc. (MCAM) is a 501c3 non-profit, membership-based organization governed by the MCAM Board of Directors, reflecting the talents, skills, interests, concerns and diversity of the Marblehead community.

James Maroney, production manager at MHTV, shows off “Marblehead Laser Fleet,” a production which earned him first place in the sports programming category of the Alliance for Community Media – Northeast Region.

Marblehead Community Access and Media, Inc. operates MHTV, can be seen on Comcast, channel 8 and Verizon, channel 28.

“We started about almost 40 years ago as a cable company station. We were run by the cable. But then we became a non-profit in 2009. So, we’ve been a non-profit for more than 10 years now,” said Joan Goloboy, executive director of Marblehead Community Access and Media, Inc.

Similar to but unique than other community television stations, MHTV provides memberships to residents and organizations and trains them to produce their own shows. Membership entitles individuals and organizations to training, equipment and channel time on MHTV. The staff trains and assists community members who wish to produce non-commercial television shows for MHTV.

“First of all, to become a member, you must be a Marblehead resident. Number two, we train you how to make your own show, and we try to make it as simple as possible with easy-to-use cameras, and easy-to-use editing equipment,” Goloboy explained.

Membership is free to seniors and $25 for individuals. It goes up to $75 for business. Goloboy said she missed a show produced by middle school kids called Marblehead Youth News before the pandemic and hoped to get it continued again.

MHTV Outreach Coordinator Pam Evans and MHTV Production Manager James Maroney work the control center during a news broadcast at the studio.

“I do want to say we have probably the most talented staff that we could ever have,” Goloboy said. For a small size of station, they won eight times overall excellence in public access television nationally, and six times overall excellence for Nor’Easter Awards.

MHTV Executive Director Joan Goloboy adjusts a camera during a news broadcast at the studio.

A professional staff, along with community volunteers, produces coverage of Selectman Meetings, School Committee Meetings, MHS Sports, and various Town Events. Before the pandemic, the MHTV streamed municipal meetings on comcast. During the pandemic, they recorded Zoom meetings and ran them later.

Goloboy said as a non-profit organization, they also gave out a lot of free memberships, so that they really appreciated donations they got.

MHTV partnered with local businesses to give them higher visibility on television and on website, such as National Grand bank, Salam Five bank and Marblehead Sport shop.

The MHTV studio is located in the Marblehead Veterans Middle School on Pleasant St. For more information, please check their website at https://marbleheadtv.org or at 781-631-8213.

MHTV Content Producer Jess Burton, who recently won first place for his film “Confluence, Unifying communities through public art,” prepares his camera before heading out on assignment.