By Melonie Magruder
LookOut News staff

July 20, 2011 – One of Santa Monica’s best assets is only as far away as your computer, iPad or cable television channel.

CityTV 16, Santa Monica’s local government access television station, has just been nominated for two more local Emmys, to add to its trophy case already stuffed with 10 other local Emmys.

Station Manager Robin Gee with CityTV's Emmy Collection. Photo courtesy of CityTV

“Local government programming” and “quality” don't always go together, but Robin Gee, CityTV’s station manager, is determined that cable Channel 16 be something far removed from a typical community broadcast of grainy videos of city council meetings with poor sound quality.

“We want CityTV’s programming to be fun, sure, but also relevant to our viewers,” Gee said. “Whether it’s a new museum or park or local business, Santa Monica always has the latest trends. We just make it easier for our residents to know about all the cool things our city has to offer.”

To help achieve that goal, CityTV has embraced social networking (you can follow the station on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) and a glitzed-up web presence at www.citytv.org.

The new website provides watchers with a streamlined and comprehensive overview of CityTV’s wide variety of shows and programs, whether for flagship Channel 16, CityTV2, Channel 20 or Forte Channel 99 (the “Lifelong Learning” channel, with links to classes at Cal State Dominguez Hills).

The station's homepage features a live stream of Channel 16 that lets users watch their favorite programs on their computers, tablets or smart phones.

And for more in-depth coverage, viewers can access an extensive on-demand library of video clips and segments that run the spectrum of government affairs to great dining discoveries to local cultural events.

“There are 24,000 local households with cable access,” Gee said. “So there’s pretty good awareness of our channel. What locals might not know about is the programming that really fits into Santa Monica’s model of community engagement and neighborhood involvement.”

Regularly programmed shows (with on-demand video podcasts of past episodes available) include “Be Green,” which showcases new ways even the most dedicated eco-fan can promote sustainability, “Santa Monica Update,” an overview of local activities, whether sports, business developments or philanthropic achievements, “Cheap Eats,” a must-see for local foodies, and “Get Out!” a show to orient local viewers to under-the-radar shopping and cultural opportunities.

Of course, viewers can also keep tabs on local government, with direct links to live coverage of city council meetings – both the dramatically contentious and the where-to-put-the-parking-meters discussions.

“Our programming tries to show you the adventure of discovering the city from the outside in,” Gee said. “Most of all, we celebrate Santa Monica and what makes us proud of this community.”

In addition to the multiple Emmy's CityTV has earned, the 23-year-old station is regularly chosen as “Best Government Channel” by the California/Nevada NATOA and has won a STAR Award for Best Overall Excellence in eight of the past 11 years.

Most recently, CityTV brought home three first place STAR Awards, including Overall Excellence, best Performing Arts coverage and best Public Service Announcements.

“We want CityTV’s programming to be fun, sure, but also relevant to our viewers.”
   Robin Gee