Our Story

Since its inception in 1991, ETV has experienced a number of changes, moves, expansions, alterations, and modifications. Here is a partial list of milestones in our history:

  • December 19, 1991: ETV was formed by 8 local residents.

  • 1991: Mr. Fred Brow was named our 1st Board Chair

  • 1992: Run entirely by volunteers, ETV operated two channels at that time, from a small room in the town hall - one channel for video, one for a bulletin board

  • 1994: ETV’s studio moved from town hall to a building on the corner of Main Street and Hemingway Avenue (the former John Hancock Building).

  • 1994: ETV grew to 3 channels - public, educational, and government (PEG)

  • 1994: ETV was named the East Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year.

  • 1997: ETV hired our first employee, EHHS student Rich Esposito.

  • 1997: Channel 19 (Education) moved to the old high school on Tyler Street, and Channel 20 (Government) moved to the EHFD Headquarters.

  • 1998: Channel 19 next moved to the new high school on Wheelbarrow Lane, where it continues to operate, and Ch 20 moved to an accessory building behind town hall.

  • 1999: ETV’s studio was on the move again, to a larger space on the upper level of the building at 313 Hemingway, which included an office suite, edit room, studio and storage. ETV ran live broadcasts of events on the green using an insanely long cable that ran across Main Street back to this building!

  • 2003: ETV hired our first full time Facility Manager, Maureen Witkowski, who oversaw the addition of live entertainment, well-known guests, and children’s programming.

  • 2006: ETV celebrated its 15th anniversary with a dinner at Silver Sands Beach Club.

  • April, 2008: ETV’s studio relocated to 400 Coe Ave, after the building at 313 Hemingway was sold to make way for a drug store.

  • 2008: Channel 20 also, later moved to 400 Coe Ave, after a rare lightning struck the accessory building behind town hall.

  • 2008: ETV established the Patrick J. O’Leary Memorial Scholarship to honor the passing of this local legend, long-time ETV producer, and well-respected local reporter. This scholarship has been awarded every year since 2009. (See Winners)

  • 2009: Long time ETV Board Chair, and former Mayor, Anthony Proto passed away. ETV purchased a bench at the town beach to commemorate his service.

  • Across the 2010’s, ETV hosted or produced a wide variety of local programs, including live Mayoral debates, town meetings, yoga, cooking, and travel shows, coverage of the Fall Fest and car shows, fireworks, parades, and more.

  • 2020: A large grant awarded to ETV allowed for the purchase of a new RODE podcasting rig, new studio tripods, two new MAC edit stations with Genelec speakers and Sennheiser headphones, 6 sets of wireless Sennheiser lav mics, and more.

  • June, 2022: ETV’s studio moved to its current location, at 230 Main Street, where we rebranded establishing our Community Media Center.

  • May, 2023: ETV completed our first live-streamed Great Give Telethon, featuring local performers: Frank Critelli, Grace Yukich, Seth Adam, & Frank Albano, live guests and the announcement of our Sign Design contest winner, Kayla DeLuca, who’s work is proudly displayed on the front of our Main Street studio, thanks to our donors.

  • November, 2023: ETV started our inaugural live-streamed Holiday Telethon featuring local performers: Anne Marie Menta, Silent Quill, & Dust Devil Heart. Raising $2,100 for the East Haven Food Pantry.

  • 2023: ETV was named the East Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year for the 2nd time.

  • 2024: ETV launched and completed two new media training programs, one for local non-profit organizations, and one for PATHWAYS / TEAM students.

  • May, 2024: ETV hosted our 2nd annual live-streamed Great Give Telethon, featuring local performers: Lars & Their Lilac Uke, Lys Guillorn, & Two in the Boot, live guests, and announcement of our new merch. Raising enough funds to purchase our Bose Public Address system, which allows us to now host live music more than a couple times a year.

  • September, 2024: ETV ran it’s 1st ticketed singer/songwriter showcase, The 2024 Harvest Moon, featuring local performers: Jess Jones, Luke Molina, & Aster Rhys.

  • November, 2024: ETV hosted our 2nd annual live-streamed Holiday Telethon featuring local performers: Ponybird & Sean O’Reilly. Raising $650 for the Branford Compassion Club.

  • May, 2025: ETV’s 3rd annual live-streamed Great Give Telethon featuring local performers: Sarah Dunn & Brian Larney, a sit down with East Haven native Mickey Curry (drummer of Hall & Oates, Bryan Adams, Joe Bouchard), and loads of 80’s nostalgia. Raising enough funds to beat Old Furniture Syndrome (OFS)