WCTV expands availability of its live television programming
RICHMOND, Ind. — Not all Wayne County residents have been able to watch Whitewater Community Television programming on their televisions.
They chose not to subscribe to Comcast cable, or Comcast wasn't available where they live. The only way to watch WCTV programming was through the wctv.info website
That's no longer true. WCTV announced Friday morning that it has agreed to share its programming with Didja, Inc., which operates Local BTV. That platform enables viewing of live television 24 hours daily through all mobile and streaming devices.
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"We operate three channels on the local Comcast cable system in Wayne County, and unfortunately because of the rural nature of our region, many residents who have heard of us have been unable to view our programming because cable is not accessible where they live," said Eric Marsh, the executive director of WCTV, during the announcement.
"I'm here to let you know that not having access to cable or not living in Wayne County is no longer a hindrance to viewing our programming."
Wayne County residents or anyone living in the Indianapolis Designated Market Area may visit www.localbtv.com where Apple, Android and Fire TV and Roku support is available or by going to the Google and App store to download an app onto smartphones, tablets and computers. The Local BTV app includes a DVR feature for delayed viewing of programs.
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"This is not video on demand," Marsh said. "This is live, HD-quality television available to you."
Whitewater Community Television, which is based in Indiana University East's Hayes Hall, includes the WCTV public access channel, the WETV educational access channel and the WGTV government access channel.
The Local BTV app has one area for over-the-air channels such as HSN, COZI, QVC and commercial stations and another community area for channels such as WCTV's. The WCTV channels are available at 74.1, 74.2 and 74.3.
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Marsh said the app lacks a quality programming guide, but WCTV's website provides programming schedules for all three WCTV channels.
"From live high school and college commencements to recorded concerts from the Richmond Symphony Orchestra to programming focused on the arts, veterans, not-for-profits and more, Whitewater Community Television strives to help provide information and entertainment to our area," Marsh said.
The new agreement expands WCTV's programming reach to regional residents. WCTV can now provide regional content from groups such as the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership and more.
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"We've noticed through the years that our local governments, our area's largest healthcare provider, even our EDCs are working across county lines," Marsh said, "and this app opens up the availability for organizations like ours or TV 3 in Connersville, who's also available on this app, to share programming and information not only with our immediate community but across county lines."
Whitewater Community Television is a nonprofit that has served Wayne County residents since 1988. As technology has advanced, WCTV has made programming more accessible through streaming and video-on-demand services through its website, Facebook page and You Tube.
Information of community interest is also shared through the @WCTVinfo Twitter account and on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: WCTV expands availability of its live television programming
