FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Maisel, Director of Communications
[email protected]
(717) 255-7295
HARRISBURG — WHBG-TV 20, the City of Harrisburg’s government programming channel provided by Comcast, was recently nationally recognized for its show Studio Sessions on Channel 20.
The show, which introduces musical acts performing in the Harrisburg area with a stripped-down, “unplugged” set list and conversation, was given an Award of Honor by NATOA, a national government telecommunications organization. Studio Sessions won its award in the “Peforming Arts Program – Long Form” category. It was honored alongside government programming from Aurora, Colorado, Washington D.C., and Rialto, California.
WHBG-TV 20 consists of two people: station manager Asher Johnson, and multimedia specialist Emily Speck.
“This is a tremendous honor for our small, but mighty team at Channel 20,” Johnson said. “Emily and I have worked really hard to make WHBG a place where people can enjoy the content we are putting out. To be recognized by a national organization is proof that what we are doing is working.”
NATOA’s Award of Honor recognition is WHBG’s first national award of its kind. Johnson and Speck will be recognized at NATOA’s national conference October 5. The honored entry focused on the band Certainly So, a Nashville based indie-rock band which was performing at XL Live.
WHBG produces content for City of Harrisburg residents to inform them of important events, places, and people in the city. Press conferences are occassionally carried live, as are City Council work and legislative sessions. In addition, WHBG has started to focus on more creative government programming since 2022. In addition to Studio Sessions on Channel 20, the WHBG team also produces What’s The Word? Harrisburg! is a semi-weekly talk program introducing Harrisburg residents to people making a difference in the capital city’s community. Passport: Harrisburg takes residents on a trip throughout the city to different venues and restaurants.
“Our goal is to showcase everything the City of Harrisburg has to offer, and the work being done both in City Hall and outside of it by individuals and non-profits is integral in that,” said city Communications Director Matt Maisel. “Government programming can be a lot more than just press conferences and meetings. Every day that we get a chance to showcase the city in a creative way is a great day to be part of Harrisburg.”
