NCTV17 celebrates 25 years in Naperville
Naperville Community Television Channel 17 is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
A yearlong series of events, programs and community activities has been planned to commemorate the milestone and provide the opportunity to reflect on the growth of both NCTV17 and the entire Naperville community.
The celebration kicks off as NCTV17 hosts an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the NCTV17 studio, 127 Ambassador Drive, Suite 103, Naperville. The public is invited to tour the facility and meet the people, both on- and off-screen, who make NCTV17’s television “magic” happen.
At 6:30 p.m., guests will be treated to a special preview of an upcoming documentary on the station.
This documentary, which will air in its entirety in March, turns the cameras on NCTV17 to explore the organization’s history and impact on the city.
From its start in 1987 as a public access television channel, to its current role in providing important local news, sports and event coverage, viewers will gain an inside look at how NCTV17 has adapted and thrived in response to ever-changing technology and the transformation of the Naperville community.
On May 2, NCTV17 has planned a unique community participation activity modeled after the 2011 independent documentary “Life in a Day” — but, this time, with a Naperville twist. On that day, everyone in Naperville is invited to capture one moment in their day, in any digital format, from still camera shots to video and even song.
People will be able to upload their files to a specific web page; NCTV17 will compile and edit the media together into a testimony to a day in the life of Naperville that will premier later in the fall.
Also on the calendar is the “TV Dinner.” This event will put a distinctive NCTV17 spin on traditional fundraising galas. Without giving too much away, the station promises it will be fun, festive and unlike anything the community has seen in a while.
“I don’t think we can overstate our excitement at reaching this 25-year moment,” said Liz Spencer, NCTV17 executive director. “We take our role of telling Naperville’s stories very seriously.
“Whether we are capturing the history of this great town in a documentary, covering this week’s news and local high school and college sports, providing visibility to local businesses and charities, or offering production services for area clients, NCTV17 is honored to help connect Naperville as a community and to shine a spotlight on the people, places and perspectives that are important to our viewers,” she said.
“We’ve been tuned in to Naperville for 25 years, and we hope the community tunes into us for 25 more.”
As more details on planned anniversary events become available throughout the year, NCTV17 will be posting updates to its website, NCTV17.com.