LTVEH (Local TV, Inc. East Hampton) began its operations in a garage near the town dump, where its team recorded as many board meetings as possible. Today, the nonprofit public-access television station serves East Hampton town residents by allocating channel space to nonprofits, educators, and governmental bodies. For over thirty years, LTVEH has carried out its mission to provide public access to quality content and media services that “educate, inform, and enlighten.”
The Scrappy Origins of LTVEH
According to the LTVEH website, LTVEH was born in a garage on the edges of the town dump on Springs Fireplace Road. The station initially taped all East Hampton board meetings, beginning an archival experiment that has documented more than three decades of the town’s history.
In 1984, this local television station began regular cablecasting. These initial programs were made on castoff vintage equipment, with shows featuring hues of green and inconsistent audio. Founders Frazer Dougherty and his wife, Frances Ann Cannon Dougherty, contributed their own funds to keep the station on the air.
LTVEH further embedded itself in the East Hampton community in 1986 with the launch of “Meet Your Neighbor, Neighbor,” hosted by Jeffrey Potter. This early show, with its neighborly focus, resonated with residents. In the same year, LTVEH began community classes in production.
After decades of operation, LTVEH secured a generous contract with the Town and Village in 2001. These new funds allowed for much-needed equipment upgrades. The station has since expanded to two channels: one for education and government and another for residents and nonprofit organizations.
A Mission to Support the People of East Hampton
In an interview with Hamptons.com, Michael D. Clark, the executive director of LTVEH, described the mission of the station, stating, “LTV’s overall goal continues to be to ensure public access to quality content and media services that educate, inform, and enlighten.”
To achieve this goal, LTVEH encourages community participation in media services centered on East Hampton. It also provides event and performance space for community theater, musical events, forums, lectures, and other activities that benefit and educate the East End community.
LTVEH also offers a summer intern program, teaching students filmmaking and broadcast skills. A separate community intern project, in partnership with East Hampton High School, focuses on addressing local issues. To further support future media professionals, the station offers a community scholarship for high school seniors pursuing education in film, media, broadcast, or radio.
Director Michael D. Clark Reflects on Years of Service
Michael D. Clark has served as the executive director for LTVEH since October 2019. In the Hamptons.com interview, he reflects on the station’s decades of broadcasting to the local community and his personal experiences with LTVEH.
“LTV programs more shows per week than any other public access station on Long Island. LTV belongs to the people of this town,” Clark states. “And thanks to the Founders, LTV’s Board of Directors, the forward-thinking of East Hampton Town and Village, and countless producers and volunteers over the years, we do today what we promised to do 40 years ago in providing our community access to its own television channel on which they can connect and create for the community.”
One of Clark’s favorite programs is “East End Underground,” a show started in 2015 by Clark and the operations manager, Ellen Watson, to promote local music acts. Since its first air date, “East End Underground” has aired close to 100 shows that highlight the musical artists of East End and beyond.
Above all else, LTVEH will continue to serve as a station that promotes and uplifts the community of East Hampton. “As outlined by our founder, Frazer Dougherty 40 years ago, LTV is ‘By the People, For the People,’ and those words speak volumes,” Clark affirms.
