The glitz, glamour and excitement of a Hollywood red-carpet event touched down in Hollywood North last week. No, not Toronto or Vancouver, but Hamilton, Ontario at the historic Westdale Theatre for the Impact Awards. Ontario’s screen sector reported a record level of film and television production in 2022, according to the agency Ontario Creates in a CBC article. And when it comes to television and local programming, Hamilton’s Cable 14 is sharing in the celebration of that success.
The Impact Awards showcased talent on and off screen at a live-to-tape production complete with studio audience and celebrity presenters including the incomparable actor, artist and Hamilton resident of five years, Jayne Eastwood.
Jayne and I were invited to join a stellar team of community leaders and supporters to present awards. We have known each other through my many years of hosting and reporting on CHCH-TV and CTS. We have both been interviewed on Cable 14 with the now award-winning Val Cole of “Hamilton Life “. I have had the pleasure of hosting a few specials in recent years. and the station also presented my husband and my mini-documentary “The Art and Nature of Robert Bateman” earlier this spring. The team is top notch, not only as talented professionals, but also as involved and committed community members and supporters.
Cable 14’s programming has grown dramatically in quality and quantity in recent years and it’s all in support of local programming, something I believe is as vital to democracy as the right to vote. But it’s also something fighting for its very survival right now. Local media markets are feeling the squeeze as the big media titans’ fight it out with social media. That means fewer resources and often will, as the little guys are swallowed by the big fish who are focused on quarterly report to appease shareholders and pay for high-priced CEO’s.
So enter local cable stations like Hamilton’s Cable 14. Reputable (and unfortunately disreputable) national and international news and entertainment sources are everywhere. But how do you follow what’s happening in your city? Your com munity? That makes your local sources invaluable. Whether print, broadcast or digital, follow them, support them and advocate for them. it’s worth then it!
