Rochester GovTV now available through streaming services

ROCHESTER − The city's GovTV channel has been available through the city cable channel, the city's website and on YouTube. Now it will also be able to be accessed through Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV streaming services.

Mayor Paul Callaghan said the city recently did a significant upgrade to the GovTV website in February.

"The objective here is to make local government transparent and more accessible," Callaghan said. "We realized that we needed to upgrade our website to keep up with the times as more people transfer to streaming services. It also should be noted that these upgrades were funded through grants."

A city article, released to the Rochester Post, said GovTV is the place for citizens to watch public meetings, including City Council, Public Safety, Planning Board, School Board, Police Commission, and more. The channel also features a rotating community bulletin board, public service announcements, and other special content.

"This additional offering is to make our GovTV even more accessible to the community," said City Manager Katie Ambrose. "Content is now viewed in a variety of ways, and the launch of GovTV on streaming devices will reach those residents and businesses who have “cut the cord” and no longer subscribe to cable TV. The free apps can provide easy access to public meetings, programming and public service announcements which helps to promote transparency in local government."

According to Public Information Manager Matt Wyatt, the new apps are available to download for free and provide access to viewers who no longer subscribe to traditional cable TV.

“Our continued mission is to make local government transparent and more accessible to residents and business owners,” said Wyatt. “Many households have transitioned from cable to streaming devices, such as Roku and Apple TV. We want to make GovTV available on as many devices as possible.”

The city will continue to broadcast on Comcast and Breezeline cable services, with the new apps being an additional way for residents to access the service.

Media Services Coordinator Celeste Plaia said that viewers can expect additional features to be revealed in the near future, complemented by a refreshed video-on-demand website that was premiered in February, which Plaia described as a “welcomed addition to our growing lineup”.

“Over the past year, our goal has been to improve and expand our services,” said Plaia. “With the recent release of our new video-on-demand website, the new streaming apps give viewers even more ways to watch GovTV on their various devices.”

The new streaming apps are free to download in the Apple, Roku, and Fire TV app stores. Search for “Rochester NH” in any of the respective app stores.

For more information about Rochester’s media services, visit www.rochesternh.gov/govtv.