Seattle Channel named best municipal TV station in nation

Seattle Channel was named the best municipal television station in the nation when it received the prestigious Excellence in Government Programming award from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) at the group’s annual meeting held in Austin, Texas, last week.

Additionally, the city-operated station won 13 government programming awards, including five first-place wins for programming as well as a first-place award for its use of social media.

NATOA honors excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. This year, NATOA received more than 850 entries submitted in 67 categories by local governments across the country.

“Seattle Channel is an important resource,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “The station’s in-depth programming provides transparency and accountability in city government, sparks civic engagement and helps deepen understanding of local issues and Seattle’s diverse communities.”

This is Seattle Channel’s seventh NATOA win in 10 years for programming excellence. Seattle Channel competed against other government-access TV stations in large U.S. cities. The station was recognized with the top government-programming award in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

“Seattle Channel continues to be the highest standard in local government programming,” said Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell. “I am proud of what Seattle Channel does every day in providing transparent and informative programming connecting our residents to the city’s civic, cultural and community events.”

Seattle Channel programs that won first-place awards include the public-affairs program City Inside/Out with Brian Callanan; the showcase of Seattle’s creative scene Art Zone with Nancy Guppy; Civic Cocktail, civic conversations with a twist; and Community Stories, which features documentaries about Seattle’s inspiring people, programs and cultural traditions.

“Our staff is committed to building strong, engaged and inspired communities through compelling content and quality production,” said John Giamberso, Seattle Channel general manager. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition from our national peers in local government.”

Here is a listing of Seattle Channel’s 2016 NATOA awards:

Overall Excellence in Government Programming

First Place
Public Affairs: City Inside/Out – Homelessness
Interview/Talk Show: Civic Cocktail
Arts and Entertainment: Art Zone with Nancy Guppy
Profile of a City/County Department: CityStream – Solar in Seattle
Documentary: Community Stories – Massive Monkees: The Beacon
Use of social media: Seattle Channel communications/web team