About Us

OUR MISSION: To empower people and engage community through media.

VISION: An indispensable civic media hub; the “go to” place for community information.

CORE VALUES: Transparent, Collaborative, Inclusive, Better! These are standards we hold ourselves to, striving for continuous improvement and creative solutions, as individuals and as an organization.

VISIT: BCTV is located at 401 Penn Street, Reading, PA inside the Alvernia University CollegeTowne campus. Enter CollegeTowne at the building’s main entrance. BCTV’s offices and studio are Suite 162.

PARKING: Guests of BCTV may park in Chiarelli Plaza Garage. We will validate your parking for this garage only. Please know your vehicle’s license plate number. BCTV staff can assist you with validation based on this number. Parking is also available at meters, other garages and on street locally at your own expense. Parking locations, meter times, and pricing can be found at www.readingparking.com..

Who We Are

An Industry Pioneer

Berks Community Television (BCTV) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community media organization serving the citizens of Berks County. As one of the oldest, consistently active cable access managers in the country, BCTV has empowered thousands of individuals to create and share in dialogue across our community, and across the world. BCTV has been an industry pioneer in telecast and community media since introducing the first split screen live interactive cable programming in the 1970’s, and continues to use technology in multimedia platforms to connect community members to issues, information, and ideas with hyperlocal focus.

Staff

♦ Heather Adams, Executive Director

♦ John Furdyna, Programming Director

♦ Joan Freeman, Technical Director

♦ Lexi Gonzalez, Social & Digital Media Manager

♦ Jon Jordan, Studio & Field Video Technician

Berks Community Television Board of Directors

♦ Chair – Patricia Shermot, Visions Federal Credit Union
♦ Vice Chair – EmmaRose Strohl, Barley Snyder
♦ Treasurer – Theodore Bassano
♦ Secretary – Fred deP. Rothermel Jr.

♦ Lisa Baldi, Penn State Berks

♦ Daniel Egusquiza, Reading Public Library, Barrio Alegria

♦ Stephan Fains, Berks Community Action Program

♦ Winifred Hoskyns-Abrahall, Bullfrog Films

♦ Christian Y. Leinbach, Chairman, Berks County Board of Commissioners

♦ Mary Jo Loeb, Fulton Bank

♦ Thomas Minick, Alvernia University

♦ Felix Freytiz, proxy for Eddie Moran, Mayor, City of Reading

♦ Ernie Post, D.Ed., Kutztown University SBDC

♦ Nicole Yuengel, Herbein + Company

BCTV’s mission is to empower people and engage community through media. With an eye to the future, the organization is exploring and developing innovative opportunities to expand accessibility and reach while involving increasingly diverse demographics in both participation and audience. This work is made possible by hundreds of volunteers participating as hosts, producers, camera operators, on committees and as board members.

The modern media landscape is creating a renewed relevancy and need for citizen-driven local information, and fresh collaborations and partnerships are paving the way for community media to thrive in Berks County. BCTV is a pillar of civic engagement, dedicated to information access, education, transparency in government, and a forum for individuals and organizations to participate openly in dialogue that shapes our community and keeps Berks County informed and involved.