Historical Highlights of WCCA

  • 1986: Worcester Community Cable Access is founded, in response to the Cable Act of 1972. The newly-formed non-profit organization was then-located at Grove Street, and employed two full time (and one part-time) staff member. By 1989, WCCA TV was producing a little more than four programs and one training class.

  • 1990: Mauro DePasquale is named Executive Director.

  • 1990: “Static Fusion” and “Nuestra Esperanza” each premier.

  • March 1990: WCCA TV is recognized by the City of Worcester and Mayor Jordan Levy by receiving the Key to the City of Worcester in “Congratulations for Bringing Public Access to Fruition.”

  • 1990: WCCA TV, under Mr. DePasquale’s leadership, initiates a campaign to offer technology training for Worcester Public School instructors. WPS teachers are coached to use production and editing equipment, as well as the studio’s cameras. This allowed for them to not only enhance their teaching techniques, but to guide their own students in the use of these technologies as well. This campaign continues through 1992.

  • 1991: KidsNet/Youth Channel is piloted. This programming continues to evolve today.

  • 1991: WCCA Television Production Workshops and Media Literacy Program is implemented. This is the first media literacy program in the City of Worcester, and incorporates television, applied computer graphics, basic computer use, and grassroots journalism. In 1998, the program was renamed “Community Vision News.” Since 2010, it has been known as News 13.

  • 1992: “Video Jam” premiers.

  • 1993: “Soapbox” launches. “Soapbox” has the largest archival footage available for viewing anytime of all WCCA TV-produced programs.

  • 1995: “Close to Home” lays its foundation.

  • 1997:Youth Team Talk” is a Finalist at the Hometown Video Festival.

  • 1998: WCCA TV moves into its current home at 415 Main Street in Worcester. This million-dollar renovation was made possible, in large part, to the Cable Franchise Additional License Fee.

  • June, 1998: The Massachusetts House of Representatives recognizes Mr. DePasquale for his “Vision, Dedication and Leadership.”

  • 1998: The following Workshops and Classes begin:

    • TV Production: basic studio and field production techniques

    • Field Production: field production and digital editing

    • Adobe Basic Editing: 6.0 non-linear editing

    • Community Computer Lab Basic: basic user services, including World Wide Web browsing and Microsoft Word

  • 1999: “My Travels” first arrives on the scene.

  • 1999: “Youth Session” receives the Editor’s Choice by the Worcester Phoenix.

  • 2000: The WCCA Community Computer Lab is made available to the public. The computer lab is open from noon until five o’clock, daily.

  • March 2000: March 17-23 is proclaimed “Media Democracy Week” by Mayor Timothy P. Murray and the City of Worcester, Massachusetts.

  • 2001: “Flipside,” a WCCA-produced program, premiers.

  • 2002: “Sing Along” and Unidos para Evangelizar” are introduced.

  • 2002: WCCA TV receives a Telly Award, and is a finalist for two other Telly Award categories.

  • 2003: “Coffee with Konnie,” “El Joven,” “Health Matters,” and “SeniorSpeak”—all Worcester-produced programs—are launched .

  • 2004: “Ramona Interviews,” “Vietnamese News,” and “What It’s Worth” are each established.

  • 2005: “Cooking with Georgia” and “Lakay TV Show” are set into motion.

  • May 2005: May is proclaimed “Media Democracy Month” by Mayor Murray and the City of Worcester in honor of WCCA TV.

  • 2005: “Young Views Real News” is first aired.

  • November 2006: November 12-18 is declared “Worcester Community Cable Access Month” in celebration of its Twentieth Anniversary. Also, Mayor Murray offers Community Media Honors in recognition of WCCA TV’s “Open Free Speech Forum”.

  • 2007: “Teen Central” kicks off at WCCA TV.

  • 2008: Pegasus Award of Honor for each of the following: Tracy Foley, Mike Benedetti, WCCATV.com, and WCCA TV Bulletin. Pegasus Award of Distinction presented for the “Community Vision 2008” and “WCCA TV Demo Reel.”

  • 2008: “BandEdge,” “Drum of the People,” “Imagine Worcester,” “Soul Patrol,” and “Wacky Factory” are each introduced.

  • 2009: In recognition for “Uniting the Community through Creative Media,” Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes presents The Key to the City of Worcester to WCCA.

  • 2009: Pegasus Award of Excellence is received by the station, as well as a Pegasus Award of Honor for “Cooking with Georgia and Dez”, and an Award of Distinction for “BandEdge.”

  • 2010: Gary Rosen’s Show, “Rosen’s Roundtable,” and also “Civil Liberties” with host Ron Madnick, are both brought to WCCA TV viewers.

  • 2010: WCCA TV picks up Five more Pegasus Awards. Two Honors recognition, one for WCCA's “Ipod Spoof” PSA and one for WCCA's “Canal Fest” documentary. The station also received two awards of Distinction , one for “Union Station” Documentary, one for “BandEdge”, and one for “Soapbox”

  • 2011: WCCA was honored as Donor of the Month in March as a community star in support of Worcester Community Action Council programming.



The above represents a sample portion of activities and accomplishments achieved by WCCA TV 194 and it's community members. This list may be updated as possible. Please note that WCCA TV has an extensive list of community partners and collaborative programs that help make WCA the success that it is. For further information contact the Executive Director Mauro DePasquale.