CONNECTICUT'S BROADCASTERSSERVING EVERY LOCAL COMMUNITY
| Total Generated: | $133,908,483 |
WTNH-TV in New Haven, Conn., turned its cameras on the community’s youngest volunteers for its "Kids that Make a Difference" primetime special. The 30-minute program, hosted by a WTNH talent, told the stories of children ages 10 to 18 who are raising awareness of important issues and organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the March of Dimes and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The special was promoted with recorded promotional announcements, an email announcement, a press release, a newspaper ad and an interview on a local AM radio station the morning of the special. "Connecticut is filled with children who give back to their communities," says Mary Lee Weber, director of community development for WTNH. Because of the station’s efforts, many viewers are now aware of that.
Once again, WDRC-FM in Bloomfield, Conn., raised more than $200,000 to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center during its annual Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. The three-day fundraiser aired live from the medical center’s cafeteria, where interviews with patients, families and staff provided a glimpse of the phenomenal impact the center has on the health of Connecticut’s children. Many of the station’s on-air personalities took part, including morning show hosts John "Cadillac" Saville and Marianne O’Hare. More than 250 promotional announcements were aired leading up to the event, and the station’s Web site acted as a gateway to a special site where listeners could make donations online and listen to podcasts of interviews. Since it began in 2003, WDRC’s radiothon has generated more than $840,000 in donations. The money raised goes toward the purchase of sophisticated medical equipment and supports special programs at the medical center. "WDRC-FM and their listening audience are extraordinary people," said Martha Schall, vice president of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation. "Their generosity is an inspiration to everyone at Connecticut Children’s."
In three half-hour live segments each week, WMRD-AM and WLIS-AM in Middletown, Conn., give airtime to the people and organizations that make the River Valley and Connecticut shoreline a great place to live. "Best of the Valley/Shore," hosted by WLIS/WMRD owner Don DeCesare has raised awareness about hundreds of local events and causes during its 12-year run. With two to three guests spotlighted on each show, listeners have learned about benefit concerts and local chili festivals; they have heard the work of authors, performers, and high school bands and choirs. As local cancer survivor and author Marci Alborghetti said of the show and its host, "Without great people like you, I would never have gotten off the ground. You can’t imagine how much your support and kindness meant to the launch of my book."
When the first major snowstorm of winter 2007 hit, WSTC-AM and WNLK-AM in Norwalk, Conn., broadcast wall-to-wall coverage for seven hours. As soon as information about road, school and business closures came in, announcements were made on the air and posted on the station Web site. Live interviews were conducted with as many sources of information as possible, including local mayors, the governor and snow plow operators. Updates continued throughout the night, and the station broadcast information about clean-up progress and accident totals the next day during a three-hour live morning show. When a major spring storm brought heavy rains and flooding a few months later, the station responded with extensive coverage again. Situated in an area prone to flooding, listeners count on WSTC and WNLK when storms hit.
For 17 years, WTIC-TV and WTXX-TV in Hartford, Conn., have fostered learning with their "Student News" program, which gives teens an opportunity to gain real-world experience in journalism. With the help of the WTIC evening news crew, students produce their own news stories, which are then broadcast on both stations. During this past school year, more than 100 students were able to watch their work on television. WTIC professionals make classroom visits to help students understand the steps involved in preparing a story for broadcast. Students sharpen multiple skills, including research, writing, critical thinking, shooting video and editing. WTIC staff provides feedback on every single story. Each spring, the stations host an Emmy-style Student News Awards Ceremony, emceed by WTIC anchor Susan Christensen. Students who produced standout submissions are given scholarships and equipment grants for their school. Each fall, teachers are invited to attend an annual workshop hosted by the station about the program, where they receive Continuing Education Units for their participation. Students from nearly 250 Connecticut middle and high schools from around the state have created their own news segment. "WTIC’s and WTXX’s ‘Student News’ has given an outlet for students to show their work and their talent on a statewide level," said Eric Larson, technology education teacher at Manchester High School.
Viewers were able to check up on the health of their eyes, ears, hearts and more at the NBC 30 Health and Wellness Festival, organized by WVIT-TV in Hartford, Conn. The two-day event drew a crowd of 22,000. Mammograms and blood pressure readings were among the 110 free health screening services provided at no charge. More than 1,500 people received the flu shot, nearly 900 were screened for early kidney disease and 44 people registered to be organ donors. The station aired more than 900 promotional announcements and began airing news stories two weeks prior to the event. Gov. M. Jodi Rell attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the start of the festival. Throughout the weekend, the station aired live from the event more than 20 times, reminding viewers to come to the festival. Station staff greeted visitors and helped direct them to the many areas of the exhibition. A live streaming camera shot from the event was featured on the station’s Web site. Viewers left the event with more knowledge about their health, as well as information on how to become active in maintaining or improving it.
For more examples of how Connecticut’s local radio and TV broadcasters are serving every local community, please contact the Connecticut Broadcasters Association .