Chris Bennett, Director of Technology and Production Services

In 2024, Nutmeg TV, the primary local public television channel in Connecticut, embarked on a pioneering collaboration with Broadcast Pix to overhaul its studio capabilities. The objective was clear: to enhance the quality of productions and deliver an outstanding experience for community members, all while navigating the challenges of a smaller team and a limited budget.

The need to upgrade studio equipment became evident in 2023 as Nutmeg TV sought to streamline its production processes. With a lean staff, Chris Bennett, Nutmeg TV’s Director of Technology and Production Services, set out to find a solution that would eliminate reliance on third-party applications like Zoom and Skype for remote interviews while maintaining impeccable production standards. “We needed an all-in-one live production system,” said Chris Bennett. “I reached out to Broadcast Pix to explore if the GX Hybrid could create a virtual space for our shows to bring in remote guests. Fortunately, they had the perfect solution: GuestPix.”

Diversified, a leading technology service provider in North Haven, Connecticut, played a crucial role in installing the new Broadcast Pix GX-Hybrid system and innovative GuestPix remote guest integration. This groundbreaking solution enabled Nutmeg TV to seamlessly incorporate remote guests into their shows without additional subscriptions or external devices. With the project completed in early 2024, Nutmeg TV hosted the channel’s inaugural Guest Pix production, featuring an interview with Connecticut Speaker of the House Matthew Ritter. Joanie Wedler shared her enthusiasm: “The show and the response from the viewers have been wonderful!”

In addition to the GX-Hybrid, Nutmeg TV integrated seven Canon PTZ cameras, further enhancing their production capabilities. This strategic move provided comprehensive camera control and scalability for various productions. Chris Bennett commended the system’s reliability and user-friendly interface, highlighting its ability to streamline production workflows and elevate the overall quality of their shows. Including the NewBlue animated graphics engine further raised the bar for their productions, enabling dynamic and visually captivating content creation within the Broadcast Pix system.

“The studio upgrade has vastly improved Nutmeg TV’s production capabilities, enabling them to produce high-quality content with unparalleled ease and efficiency,” remarked Bennett. “The reliability of the Broadcast Pix system ensures uninterrupted operation, offering peace of mind to the production team.”

PEG channels and community media centers like Nutmeg TV play a pivotal role in fostering community engagement and communication. By harnessing advanced technology from Broadcast Pix, Nutmeg TV transcends traditional boundaries, empowering community members to share their stories and enriching the public television experience for all. Today, Nutmeg TV is reaping the rewards of its investment with higher engagement numbers. Chris Bennett shares, “I’d like to emphasize the relevance of PEG and our efforts. We don’t receive viewership numbers from cable companies, but we do track online metrics. Recently, I discovered that we’ve reached 1 million YouTube impressions over the past year—quite an achievement for a PEG access facility in Connecticut. This demonstrates our outreach and the support from our viewers and users. Managing 500 shows a year with a production team of only three is no small feat. Despite the challenges, we handle it exceptionally well here at Nutmeg TV. Our producers are comfortable with our setup, and we have a fantastic team.”

Tips from Nutmeg TV for PEG Channels:

  1. Invest in a high-quality lighting system that supports versatile setups to enhance your production values.
  2. Utilize robotic cameras to achieve professional-looking results. For instance, create a clear background with multiple camera angles to emulate the aesthetic of a morning talk show.
  3. Choose equipment that is both affordable and scalable. “Invest in something reliable that allows for future growth,” suggests Nutmeg TV. “Start with the basics and gradually add better lighting or studio cameras. This way, as technology advances, you can adapt and expand your setup while staying within your budget. It’s about having a long-term vision that you can gradually realize over time, ensuring you can evolve alongside advancements in technology.”

Here’s how implementing these suggestions has positively impacted Nutmeg TV. Chris Bennett shares, “We’ve launched a new show called ‘Pursuit of Passion’ with Chef Bordonaro, now available on our website. Chef Bordonaro, a five-star chef from West Hartford, generously volunteers his time to teach viewers how to cook five-star meals at home. He’s the first to fully utilize our kitchen set with the new camera setup, and the results are impressive. Our recent short video for him garnered 2500 views in just a couple of hours, highlighting the impact of quality cameras and a reliable switcher system on outreach efforts.”

In summary, as Chris Bennett emphasizes, “It’s amazing what type of outreach you can do when you have really good cameras and a really good switcher system.”

Navigating the realm of Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access Channels poses challenges in delivering vital local programming to communities. Adequate funding is crucial for these channels and community media centers to flourish, serving as hubs for communication training, higher production standards, cable distribution, and community connectivity. Nutmeg TV stands as a testament to the transformative power of strategic decisions and innovative broadcasting solutions. Their recent journey with Broadcast Pix exemplifies how PEG channels can thrive and excel in the realm of public access television.

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About Nutmeg TV
Facilitating Effective, Educational, and Engaging Video Content For over three decades, Nutmeg TV has been a cornerstone of Connecticut’s media landscape, providing production studios, equipment, and expertise to enhance public understanding and enjoyment through video content. Their dedication to enriching and educating audiences is evident in their vast library of over 4,000 shows and government meetings, accessible globally through platforms like the Nutmeg TV+ app and various online channels. To learn more, visit NutmegTV.com.